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2014 NFL Draft: For Montana’s Jordan Tripp, Football is...

UofMGrizFan

Well-known member
http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/...p-football-is-all-about-community-and-family/

Scouting Report Link: http://www.rantsports.com/nfl/2013/...um=HUBRecirculation&utm_term=NFLNFL DraftGrid

Jordan-Tripp-Photo-via-Jordan-Tripp.jpg

Photo via Jordan Tripp

For Montana senior linebacker Jordan Tripp, playing football for the Grizzlies is more than just football, it’s the continuation of a family tradition and the living out of a boyhood dream.

Growing up in Missoula, Montana was a journey for Tripp. At an early, he battled and overcame a stuttering problem. He also helped out his grandfather on his ranch and his dad in his shop. He’s a classic Montana kid that loves the outdoors, almost as much as he loves Montana University football.

To fully understand the impact that playing for Montana has on Tripp, you have to dive into his family tree. Tripp is a third generation Grizzlies as his father and grandfather also played for Montana. As a boy growing up in Missoula, Tripp often went to Montana University football games.

“I went to Montana games all the time as a kid. I knew right from an early age that playing football for Montana was something I wanted to do,” Tripp told me in an interview. “When I got that offer prior to my senior year of high school, I accepted it on the spot.”

Football is a family affair for the Tripps. On game day, the whole family comes out to support Jordan. “I’ve got a big family and basically 99-percent of them live in Missoula,” he said. “On game days, I’ve got plenty of family support in the stands.”

When Tripp is not on the field making plays, he’s in the community inspiring young people that often remind him of himself. You can find him speaking at pee-wee football camps and banquets as well as any other community function he can attend. Whenever a call comes in from the local hospital requesting a visit from someone’s favorite Montana football player, Tripp is quick to answer the call and make a visit.

“I love going and talking to young kids because that’s what made me want to come to Montana when I was a boy and those players talked to me,” said Tripp. “The impact that you can have in some little boys life just by spending 30 minutes with him is really special.”

There are many things that Tripp will miss about Montana when the final whistle blows and he begins his NFL journey. There’s the locker room camaraderie, the daily life and routine of being a Montana football player, but there’s one thing that Tripp will miss most about being a Grizzlies and it has nothing to do with what’s on the field.

“I’m going to miss the community and not being able to make an impact on them everyday.”

Brian Skinnell is a freelance sports writer for RantSports.com and contributor at Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter and add him to your network on Google.

To learn more about Jordan Tripp on the football field, I invite you to read Gil Alcaraz IV scouting report on him.
 
NFL Draft Scout lists Jordan as the 14th best OLB in the 2014 draft and project him as a 5th to 6th round draft pick.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=97062&draftyear=2014&genpos=OLB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like CBS sports plugs him at 18th

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2014/OLB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also found this little article on "small school sleepers"

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2013/08/small-school-sleeper-prospects-to-watch-in-2014-nfl-draft/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana

Jordan Tripp is a big, athletic linebacker with four years of playing experience, although he earned a medical redshirt for the 2011 season after playing in only three games. A fifth-year senior, Tripp is a likely candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, given each year to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS.

While Tripp is listed at 6’3 1/2″ and 237 pounds by Montana’s official website, he looks a bit longer, possibly because still has room to fill out his frame if desired.

Tripp is an intense player with a great motor, yet he stays focused and disciplined. He always knows his assignments and does an excellent job of setting and keeping an edge.

He is also good in pursuit, especially from the backside. If he has to weave through the middle of the field, however, he’ll have tendency to “pinball around” as offensive linemen shove him. He always seems to be around the ball.

Tripp has good speed and adequate strength, but will have issues muscling up to linemen and will have a hard time shaking them if they get their hands on him.

When rushing off the edge, Trip displays some power because his quick acceleration off the line allows him to put some linemen “on skates.” He doesn’t have many pass-rushing moves, but he does an adequate job of getting to the quarterback for a linebacker.

He is a solid tackler with good technique driving through the ball carrier. He also looks for the opportunity to strip the ball as he tackles, with which he forced four fumbles last season.

Tripp is an archetypal weakside linebacker. He has the ability to chase the ballcarrier from the backside, but can also rush the passer when needed. His coverage skills are also good enough to stay with most tight ends and running backs.

It is unlikely Tripp goes any earlier than the later part of Day 3, but he’ll still be able to contribute immediately on special teams in the NFL before possibly developing into a starting outside linebacker.
 
kurtismichael said:
'68griz said:
JT is the epitome of whom I would want playing for the Griz.

Agree 100%. Jordan is a great player, but more importantly a good person.

A good leader on the team and an incredibly involved volunteer with a lot of local programs. Can't ask for much more out of a guy. It easily explains why Griz Nation just loves this kid. Hard not to.
 
BWahlberg said:
NFL Draft Scout lists Jordan as the 14th best OLB in the 2014 draft and project him as a 5th to 6th round draft pick.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=97062&draftyear=2014&genpos=OLB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like CBS sports plugs him at 18th

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/2014/OLB" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also found this little article on "small school sleepers"

http://www.buffalobillsdraft.com/2013/08/small-school-sleeper-prospects-to-watch-in-2014-nfl-draft/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Jordan Tripp, LB, Montana

Jordan Tripp is a big, athletic linebacker with four years of playing experience, although he earned a medical redshirt for the 2011 season after playing in only three games. A fifth-year senior, Tripp is a likely candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award, given each year to the most outstanding defensive player in the FCS.

While Tripp is listed at 6’3 1/2″ and 237 pounds by Montana’s official website, he looks a bit longer, possibly because still has room to fill out his frame if desired.

Tripp is an intense player with a great motor, yet he stays focused and disciplined. He always knows his assignments and does an excellent job of setting and keeping an edge.

He is also good in pursuit, especially from the backside. If he has to weave through the middle of the field, however, he’ll have tendency to “pinball around” as offensive linemen shove him. He always seems to be around the ball.

Tripp has good speed and adequate strength, but will have issues muscling up to linemen and will have a hard time shaking them if they get their hands on him.

When rushing off the edge, Trip displays some power because his quick acceleration off the line allows him to put some linemen “on skates.” He doesn’t have many pass-rushing moves, but he does an adequate job of getting to the quarterback for a linebacker.

He is a solid tackler with good technique driving through the ball carrier. He also looks for the opportunity to strip the ball as he tackles, with which he forced four fumbles last season.

Tripp is an archetypal weakside linebacker. He has the ability to chase the ballcarrier from the backside, but can also rush the passer when needed. His coverage skills are also good enough to stay with most tight ends and running backs.

It is unlikely Tripp goes any earlier than the later part of Day 3, but he’ll still be able to contribute immediately on special teams in the NFL before possibly developing into a starting outside linebacker.

Whether he is drafted or an unsigned free agent, Tripp will get his shot at the NFL. That's all that one can ask for.
 
Makes me wonder why most of what I find in the papers is problems with our Griz and not more stories about young men like Jordan. Like they say, bad news sells. I think it's people like Jordan Tripp and countless others who are more worthy of our attention.
PS: If the NFL doesn't work out (but I'm sure it will) we could use a cat-quick rush end up here in Canada with the Riders.
 
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