Prospect Spotlight: Jordan Titus, Hutchinson (2021)

It was another strong season for the Hutchinson Tigers’ football program. They finished the season with a 5-2 record and won a section title. It was the Tigers’ second straight section title. A central part of the Tigers’ team for both section titles has been senior [player_tooltip player_id="18051" first="Jordan" last="Titus"]. "We were all grateful to be able to play," Titus said about the uncertainty surrounding the football season. "We were grateful to be able to be together and not get shut down. We were just glad to be out there." The Tigers’ success came from a formula that has been working for the program for years. "Hutch has always been a ground and pound team," Titus said. "We are a heavy run team and don’t want to put the ball in the air unless we have to. When our offensive line moves people, we have success. When everyone was on the same page on defense, we had a good pass rush and were good at stuffing the inside." Our 33rd ranked athlete from the Class of ’21 was a two-way starter. "I played interior defensive line, and on offense, I played right tackle and some wing in short-yardage and some special packages - lead blocking," Titus explained. "I ended up missing one game. Other than that, I felt like I had a good year. I was grateful to play with my team one more time before we go to college. It felt good." Titus was one of the team’s most experienced players. "I have started on defense since ninth grade. I have started both ways since my junior year." Despite his size, the 6’1" 280-pound lineman still finds ways to sneak up on people. "I think my strength helps me a lot. I am bigger, so people expect me to go power all the time. I have good hands and feet, so I can get to the ball quickly. I get off blocks quickly – allowing me to make big plays. On offense, I come off the ball and get the first pop. I play aggressively and get to my spots." In the future, Titus knows he has to keep improving if he wants to have success. "From watching it, the pace of college football is faster," Titus said. "I feel like I have to work on my conditioning. Also, I need to be a student of the game. In high school, sometimes I could get by just playing. I know, the higher the level, that won’t work." Despite COVID-19, Titus hopes to keep active. "I will be working out in the winter, and in the spring, I will continue to lift, but I will also throw the shot in track. It is going to be a lot of lifting." Although he is a two-sport athlete, Titus still finds time to help his community. "I work with 4th and 5th graders. I do activities with them – kickball, stuff like that. I also help with Special Olympics. I try to stay active, but in a way that helps people." Titus is committed to the University of St. Thomas. "Recruiting went well. I was grateful for all the opportunities. I put in a lot of work, and it felt good to see all that work pay off. It was great to build all those relationships." "Along with St. Thomas," Titus continued, "I was also considering Minnesota-Duluth, Sioux Falls, and Minnesota State-Mankato. St. Thomas was a dream come true to play Division I football. When I took my visit, I could tell how the culture was shifting. It was a good experience talking to Coach (Gary) Caruso." The senior committed to the Tommies early – all the way back in September. "I felt like when you have an opportunity in front of you, and you are confident about it, that is what you need to go after," Titus told prepredzonemn.com. "I didn’t see any point in sitting around and thinking about this school or that school. If you have a school you feel is best for you, that is where you should go. That is how I felt about St. Thomas." Titus expects to go into camp as an interior defensive lineman. "They liked my quickness and speed off the ball. I am not the tallest guy, so I have a low center of gravity and a strong base. The most compliments I got was about my quickness and how I can move to get in gaps, plug holes, but also get into the backfield." Next year, he will be getting into DI football.