Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan Declares for 2024 NFL Draft

Jordan became the 23rd player in Cardinals history to log a 1,000-yard rushing season.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Louisville redshirt junior running back Jawhar Jordan has declared for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft and will forego his remaining collegiate eligibility, he announced Wednesday on social media. He will not play in the Holiday Bowl vs. USC.

First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me a life changing opportunity to further my academic and athletic career," Jordan said in a graphic posted to Twitter. "It has been a long journey but nonetheless a blessing. Secondly, I want to thank my family and friends for their unconditional love and being there for me every step of this journey. To my teammates, I will never forget the memories made on and off the field, I will cherish them forever

"And last but certainly not least, Thank you Louisville! I am grateful for Coach Satterfield for giving me the opportunity to finish my collegiate career here at the University of Louisville. Thank you Justin Ruffin and the academic staff. Thank you Coach Brohm for being a true leader to this team and bringing Louisville football back where it belongs. Thank you Coach Barclay for maximizing my potential and ensuring I develop into my best self. Also, thank you to Deion Branch, coach Reno, and the entire staff, who must be acknowledged for their unwavering support. I am forever proud and blessed to be a Louisville Cardinal."

Jordan is the second Cardinal to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, following safety Cam'Ron Kelly. There had been some speculation that Jordan might return for his final year in college following the commitment of Texas Tech transfer quarterback Tyler Shough, as the two were high school teammates at Chandler (Ariz.) Hamilton.

Despite being limited by a nagging hamstring injury in the second half of the season, Jordan still finished as one of the top running backs in the ACC. The 5-foot-9, 172-pound all-purpose back ran for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns on 181 rushes, while also catching 21 passes out of the backfield for 246 yards and a touchdown, getting named a First-Team All-ACC selection for his efforts.

Jordan's rushing total and 1,374 yards from scrimmage ranked second in the ACC behind UNC's Omarion Hampton, while his rushing and total touchdowns were third behind Hampton and FSU's Trey Benson. He also became the 23rd player in program history to log a 1,000-yard rushing season, and the first since Javian Hawkins in 2019.

The Long Island, N.Y. native entered the 2023 season coming off of a strong end of his 2022 campaign. After starting that year at fourth on the depth chart, injuries to the running back position gave him ample opportunity to showcase his talents, and he ran with it. He logged 555 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the final five games of the season, en route to totaling 815 rushing yards and four touchdowns for the season.

Jordan joined the Cardinals as a transfer from Syracuse during the fall camp ahead of the 2021 season, but didn't get much run in his first year with the Cardinals, only rushing for 94 yards in four games. During his two seasons with the Orange, he ran for 177 yards and a touchdown in eight games.

He finishes his Louisville career with 381 rushes for 2,037 yards and 17 touchdowns, 32 receptions for 355 yards and a touchdown, and 21 kick returns for a 28.5 average and two touchdowns.

Louisville will conclude their 2023 season later this month with a matchup against USC in the Holiday Bowl. Kickoff against the Trojans is set for Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 8:00 p.m. EST from Petco Park in San Diego, Calif.

(Photo of Jawhar Jordan: Jared Anderson - Louisville Report)

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Matthew McGavic
MATTHEW MCGAVIC

McGavic is a 2016 Sport Administration graduate of the University of Louisville, and a native of the Derby City. He has been covering the Cardinals in various capacities since 2017, with a brief stop in Atlanta, Ga. on the Georgia Tech beat. He is also a co-host of the 'From The Pink Seats' podcast on the State of Louisville network. Video gamer, bourbon drinker and dog lover. Find him on Twitter at @Matt_McGavic