You know, in the world of college football, new names flash across the screen every season, but few stick with the gravitational pull of a true rising star. This year, that name is Jordan Young. I’ve been covering this sport for over a decade, and I can tell you, his ascent hasn’t just been fast; it’s been a masterclass in modern player development. The story of how Jordan Young became a rising star in college football is a complete breakdown of talent meeting a perfectly engineered system. It’s not just about athleticism; it’s about a blueprint.
Just two years ago, Jordan was a highly-touted, yet somewhat raw, four-star recruit out of Texas. He had the measurables—standing at 6'3" and 225 pounds with a 4.5-second 40-yard dash—but so do dozens of guys. What set him apart, from my observation, was a quiet, almost analytical demeanor on the sidelines. While others celebrated wildly, he was often seen reviewing tablet footage with coaches. He enrolled at a program known not for glitz, but for foundational coaching: the University of Northwood. Under Head Coach Marcus Fernandez, Northwood has built a reputation for transforming high-potential athletes into polished pros. Their philosophy isn’t about complex, secret plays; it’s about execution. In fact, when I spoke to Coach Fernandez last spring about integrating young talent like Young into his offensive scheme, he described the process as ‘simple.’ He told me, “We identify one or two core strengths and build everything around amplifying them. For Jordan, it was his vision and his balance after contact. The playbook isn’t a mystery; it’s a tool to highlight what he already does instinctively.”
That ‘simple’ process yielded anything but simple results. Northwood didn’t try to make Young a traditional, between-the-tackles bruiser. Instead, they leveraged his receiving skills out of the backfield, a trend I personally love to see in today’s game. They created mismatches by lining him up in the slot, using motion to confuse linebackers. In his freshman year, he averaged a respectable 5.1 yards per carry. But this season, his sophomore campaign, has been the true revelation. Through just nine games, he’s already shattered records. He’s racked up 1,247 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground, while adding another 432 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns through the air. That’s a total of 1,679 all-purpose yards. I had to double-check those stats myself—they’re video game numbers. The most telling moment for me was in the overtime win against State Tech. On a critical 3rd-and-8, they split him wide. The linebacker assigned to him was utterly lost, and Young ran a crisp route for a 12-yard gain and a first down. It was a play that showcased the complete package.
Analysts and scouts I’ve talked to are buzzing, and not just about the stats. “What you’re seeing is a prototype for the next generation of NFL running back,” said former pro scout and current ESPN analyst David Riggs, a guy whose opinion I’ve always respected. “He’s not just a runner; he’s a versatile offensive weapon. Coach Fernandez’s system has done a brilliant job of showcasing his football IQ alongside his physical gifts. They’ve simplified his reads but expanded his role, which is a rare and effective combination.” This sentiment echoes what I’ve felt watching his tape. Many programs over-coach, stripping away a player’s natural instincts. Northwood, under Fernandez’s guidance, seems to have done the opposite, building a framework that sets those instincts free.
So, when we pull back and look at the whole picture, the narrative is clear. The journey of how Jordan Young became a rising star in college football is a complete breakdown of several key factors: elite raw talent, a personal drive that leans more towards study than spectacle, and perhaps most critically, a program and a coach who understood how to harness it all without overcomplicating things. Fernandez described the process as ‘simple,’ and maybe that’s the genius of it. In a sport that often gets bogged down in endless complexity, sometimes the best approach is to identify greatness and get out of its way. As a fan of the game, I’m excited to see where he goes next. Barring injury, he’s not just a star for this season; he’s the early favorite for the Heisman next year and a surefire first-round pick. He’s made Northwood must-watch football, and honestly, that’s the mark of a true rising star.
