Old Saint Nick brought good tidings and cheer to the Miner household, even if the big fellas was a day late.
On December 26, the Miner family was notified that their son Jordan, a defensive back and offensive playmaker for Wiregrass Ranch High’s football team, was selected to be a member of USA Football’s U19 US National Team.
The national team brings in top high school athletes from all over the country and flies them in to Arlington, TX, where Miner has been preparing for tonight’s game against Team Canada at 8 p.m. on ESPN 3.
“It feels good that all of my hard work has paid off,” Jordan Miner said. “I’m really looking forward to playing for my country and with some of the best talent around the world.”
Joining Miner on the All-American team is childhood friend and former Wesley Chapel High standout Isaiah Bolden.
Bolden and Miner have been friends since the sixth grade, but were never able to play together as they played for crosstown, rival middle and high school teams. They will finally get the chance to be teammates, even if it’s only for one game.
Bolden, originally a Florida State University oral commitment before flipping to the University of Oregon, followed former Ducks head coach Willie Taggart back to FSU and signed with the Seminoles during the inaugural early signing period last month.
Miner, a firm Penn State commitment, signed with the Nittany Lions.
“Jordan has been following high school football for a long time,” John Miner, his dad, said. “He had two goals for high school, one was to sign with a Division 1 school and the other was to be an All-American.”
The Bull baller had an outstanding season for Wiregrass Ranch in 2017, and his contributions were felt all over the field. He finished with four interceptions and 39 tackles on defense, and on offense rushed for 432 yards and six TDs, caught 17 passes for 215 yards and three TDs, and even completed five of seven passes for 63 yards and a touchdown.
On special teams, he averaged 26.3 yards per kick return and 19.2 yards per punt return.
“We needed him (Miner) more on the offensive side of the ball this year and Jordan was offering to take over more responsibility there,” said Wiregrass Ranch head coach Mark Kantor. “It helped us fix things to where teams had to worry about him at many different positions.”
It also helped the Bulls make the playoffs for the second consecutive year. The Bulls won their first playoff game ever, 17-10 over Lake Nona.