Jordan Terrell has gained big yards for the Barton College football team throughout his career. (Photo courtesy of Barton College)
Season ends with 403-yard rushing performance
Eastern Randolph alum Jordan Terrell’s special season for Barton College’s football team came with a burst of history.
Terrell rushed for 403 yards as Barton thumped host Erskine 48-14 on Saturday at Greenwood, S.C.
“Very emotional and exciting,” Terrell said of what he suggested might have been his final college game. “Going into the game, the goal is always to win the rushing battle. It was very satisfying for my offensive line and the whole team.”
Terrell scored four touchdowns in the game with runs of 19, 36, 65 and 5 yards among his 44 carries. His rushing total set a school and South Atlantic Conference record. The effort came short of the NCAA Division II record set at 425 by Connor Silveria of South Dakota School of Mines in 2018 against Adams State.
Terrell, listed as a 5-foot-10, 210-pound junior, has been ranked among the top rushers in Division II this season. He ended up with 1,732 rushing yards this season.
“He has had many of those (big) days,” Barton coach Chip Hester said. “I think it all kind of culminated with Saturday’s game.”
His last run went for 6 yards in the final minute, putting him above the 400-yard mark.
Barton finished with a 6-5 record and 4-5 in SAC games. Terrell exceeded the 100-yard rushing mark in eight games this season. His previous top mark was 256 yards vs. Virginia-Wise.
“This is not really unexpected for me,” Terrell said. “It’s exciting when I get to open up my stride and run.”
Terrell has a season of eligibility remaining. He was part of the first Barton team when the program was organized. He was in the program as a redshirted player in 2019, when the Bulldogs practiced but didn’t have games. Then the 2020 fall season, which was to be Barton’s first but that was delayed to an abbreviated 2021 spring slate.
All along, Terrell was Barton’s top running back.
“He was our starter from the very beginning,” Hester said. “He’s completely locked into getting better.”
Terrell, a 5-foot-1, 215-pounder, said he never assumed he was going to be the first-string back.
“I always had to work,” he said. “Every year they bring in new talent.”
Terrell rushed for 1,843 yards as a sophomore and 1,632 yards as a junior after a four-game freshman total of 280.
Those yards came in various fashions.
“When you’ve put up those kinds of numbers, you’re an all-around back,” Hester said. “He can do a little bit of it all. He is a punishing runner. He has a wicked stiff-arm. Safeties, beware.”
Because the NCAA ruled that participating in the 2020-21 school year didn’t count against eligibility, Terrell can play another season in college if he chooses. He has a degree in social work and is nearing another in criminal justice.
He said he’s most pleased how he has been ready for each opportunity.
“The consistency and proving I could get it done year after year,” he said. “What’s most satisfying is when my O-line is satisfied.
Terrell, 23, played his final high school football season in 2018 for Eastern Randolph after transferring from Lee County. He also participated in track and field for the Wildcats.
At Barton, he has been a three-year captain.
“I’ve been talking to a bunch of scouts about him,” Hester said. “He has that desire. I sure think he’ll have a chance to go on and play professionally.”
