By Julius Johnston, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
10/30/2026
Heads or tails. Even or odd. True or false. A glass half full or a glass half empty.
Life is full of moments that can go either way. At each crossroads, Waymond Jordan has been willing to bet on himself, and his faith shapes how he faces whatever comes next. For the USC running back, that belief has carried him through every challenge and toward new opportunities.
“The way I think about things comes from Romans 8:18: ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.’ Just knowing that no matter what is happening in my life, the result will always be worth it,” Jordan said.
After an unorthodox high school career due to COVID and a hurricane impacting two seasons, Jordan only had two full seasons of high school football under his belt. The lack of film led to him not being pursued by any Division 1 programs, leading him to a crossroads on what to do with his future.
Either take off the pads forever or bet on himself.
Jordan chose the latter and committed to a Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas.
“My recruiting was a little wonky with everything going on, so eventually I decided to go JUCO and bet on myself,” Jordan said.
The transition to Kansas took time for the Pensacola native. His freshman season ended with a redshirt, and his second was interrupted by soft tissue injuries.
“My first year, there were guys ahead of me that were already there, and then I honestly wasn't ready. I came in a little out of shape, which didn't really help my case. Then the next year, I dealt with a lot of soft tissue injuries throughout the season,” Jordan elaborated.
However, everything changed during Jordan’s redshirt sophomore season. Drawing on lessons from his first two years, he made a major offseason transformation and identified the key factors behind his growth.
“It took a lot to make that full offseason transition. It started in December 2023, when I focused on eating right and getting healthy. When I went back to Pensacola for a month, I rehabbed my injuries and got healthy,” Jordan said.
A few months later, Jordan faced another decision. During spring ball, several schools pursued him, hoping to bring him into their programs. But Jordan felt he still had more to prove.
“I played well during spring ball. A couple of schools were interested, but I stayed and kept working,” Jordan said. “I knew I was nowhere near my potential, so I went back home for another month and a half and worked three or four hours a day on the field to get my mind and body right.”
The decision to stay at Hutchinson for his redshirt sophomore season paid off ten-fold.
In 2024, Jordan was named the 2024 NJCAA DI Football Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,614 yards on 218 carries (7.4 avg.) while averaging 134.5 yards per game with 20 TDs through 12 games. He finished the 2024 season first in the nation in yards, yards per game, and touchdowns, while also finishing fourth in the nation in yards per rush with 7.4. He won the JUCOWeekly Trophy which is presented to The Best JUCO Player in America (junior college’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy). He was named 2024 NJCAA DI Football First Team All-American and to the 2024 All-Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference First Team.
After a stellar season, Jordan decided to enter the transfer portal as the No. 1 JUCO running back in the nation as recognized by On3, 247Sports and ESPN.
Numerous schools were in the mix of recruiting Jordan, including USC.
“Finding a coach I could build a real relationship with, someone who would develop me, was a big priority. Every school said similar things and had a similar approach, but USC stood out,” Jordan said with a smile.
Standing out wasn’t necessarily enough for Jordan to commit. After numerous conversations with Trojan running backs coach Anthony Jones Jr., Jordan was invited on a visit to Los Angeles.
“Coach Jones and I kept talking and then he told me don't count out coming to USC until I came on a visit. I ended up going; it was my first visit in January, right after I finished playing,” Jordan said.
After the visit, Jordan faced another 50-50 decision: commit to USC or continue the recruiting process.
He chose USC, affirming the bet he had made on himself years earlier. One moment in particular made the journey feel worth it: running out of the Coliseum tunnel for the first time.
“It was a dream come true to play in front of all those people. I was thankful to be there. I remember watching those games on TV in high school, middle school and even JUCO, praying I’d get to be in that spot,” Jordan said reminiscing.
The 2025 season began well for Jordan. Through six games, he rushed for 576 yards on 88 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per carry, with five touchdowns. But his first season at the Division I level was cut short by a season-ending injury.
Jordan could have focused on the setback, but instead chose to look for the positives.
“Being off the field gave me a chance to focus on school and everything else outside of football. I got to spend more time with my daughter, which meant a lot to me,” he said.
The injury temporarily kept Jordan from contributing on the field, but it gave him something football’s demanding schedule rarely allows: time.
Time to focus on his education. Time to reflect on how far he's come. Most importantly, time to embrace a role that means more to him than being a running back: being a father.
“Having my own little family means everything to me, and it gives me a greater sense of purpose. She’s the reason I work so hard to succeed. I want to create opportunities for her and be able to provide for her,” Jordan said.
Back on the field in 2026, Jordan has more to play for than ever. What began as a bet on himself now carries a deeper purpose: creating opportunities and a better future for his daughter. Whatever the odds, he knows what keeps him moving forward and who he’s working for.
