The stars of summer camps usually come from the junior and senior ranks, but there are always talented youngsters lurking.
Jordan Darling was one of the underclassmen to impress Florida coaches in Gainesville this past week. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound quarterback from West Chester, Ohio, Lakota West didn’t look like a rising sophomore during workouts.
Darling, a 2013 prospect, displayed a very strong arm for someone so young. With his frame, one would have to wonder if he might have to switch positions if he gets too big. But he carried himself extremely well during passing drills and one-on-ones.
“Camp went very well for me and I definitely figured out how hard I have to work physically and especially mentally, and how I’m willing to put in that work to achieve D-I football and, God willing, the NFL,” Darling said. “But I’m focusing on (high school) football now.”
While the NFL is far from Darling’s concern at the moment, if he continues to put in the effort it could be realistic when he becomes an upperclassman. But that’s for another day.
Right now, Darling is doing his best to improve his game. He got a lot of work with Florida quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler last week and tried his best to soak in everything.
Being so young, it can be difficult not to get a little overwhelmed when working out with older, more experienced prospects. For Darling, he’s cherishing his early jump on college coaching.
“I learned how blessed I am because thousands of kids would love to get the personal coaching I got, and I just can’t thank God enough,” he said. “Also, there is a ridiculous amount of things (you have to possess) in order to have a perfect (throwing) form.”
It’s still very early, but Darling has gotten some interest from a couple of major schools. Oklahoma and Florida are the two schools that have shown the most interest, he said. Darling has camped at both schools and is camping at Ohio State this week.
Now is certainly not the time to pick any favorites, but Darling was pleased to get down to Gainesville for a chance to see Florida’s program up close.
“Florida is obviously a great college and I appreciate Coach Loeffler spending his time with me, even with his top recruit, Jeff Driskel, being there,” he said. “Overall, the camp and experience (at UF) was incredible.”
Better offer him now, before Kiffy does!
Sounds good to me. Hope he will still want to come to Florida in 2013.
When I saw Ohio as his homestate, I looked up the possibility…and it does appear he’s former Cincy Reds pitcher Ron Darling’s son.
Way too early to be talking even 2012 much less 2013. Best of luck to the young man and his future.
You can tell we are in the doldrums of summer. I predict this very, very young kid will wear a sweater vest.
Where’s the countdown to kickoff clock? That would be a much more interesting read.
Howdy Ed. Good job on churning out the articles lately. I was curious if all the recruits are now on campus. I seem to recall an article you did last month that said most, if not all, would be on campus by June 22nd.
Thanks for the job you’re doing, and keep churning them out for us.
What a young talent good job with the article. This young man is blessed and seems to have a bright future. It never to early to start setting your goals. I prefect fit for the Crimson Tide (Alabama) in 2013. God Bless and keep on working.
KBrad
Hey ed, I am hearing rumors that rahim cassell committed, is this true or just a rumor?
I am sure God went out of his way to make sure this kid got good quarterback coaching. What an idiot.
2013 too early, this kid may be 6’7″ and 300 lbs by his junior year lets give him a year and revisit him next year.
I’ve seen this kid, and he looks like he belongs in college right now. I think he’s only going to get bigger, stronger, and faster. Good job Ed, hope we see him in a gator uniform!
wow..another Tim Tebow both in passing and the mind. I hope he gets what he wants as he looks like a great kid!!
I heard Chandler Register out of Lambert High School in Cumming GA was another impressive rising sophomore as his passing skills were best of the camp.
I also saw this kid from Lambert tall good foot movement. Lookout FL as FL State is looking as well.
The kid’s name was Chandler Register and had great footwork along with great passing focus. He is someone we should be looking at for the future.
I have a completely separate questions…do you know any news on Seantrell Henderson? I know USC sent the entire staff to visit him, but I don’t think he has reported yet. If he’s looking to transfer, what are Florida’s chances, or is UF not interested?
2013 never too early, this kid might also be 6-5 and 245 all muscle with a cannon for an arm!
What about Chandler Register from Lambert Hish School in Cumming GA? He is just a rising sophomore but good footwork and a nice arm. He is also someone to watch as well as he had a good camp this summer
This article is about a young man who recognizes there is something bigger than himself, believing in God doesn’t make him idiot! Just ask Kurt Warner, Tim Tebow and quarterbacks who play in the NFL! Keep believing young man, you’re in good
company!
I also saw the kid from Georgia, Chandler Register nice frame and great arm with decent speed. I would like to see more comments on the kid. Thank you.
Seems like a great article about an up and coming humble qb. By his responses and what is written about him he should do just fine.I just got one question???? Why is there so many blogs about this Chandler kid? Sorry but didn’t see his name in the article.
This kid went to my school last year he isn’t that good
He is good enough you’re looking him up and Florida is looking at him! Your school must be pretty good, tell me of some of the D1 prospects your school have. Maybe your school isn’t that good because this I’m impressed with what I read!
Just a quick tip he has more interceptions than completions so far in high school
I am sorry, you must be referring to the Chandler Register kid! Darling kid is leading his conference in passing.
he went to my school in platte county. in jv he had more interceptions thrown than completed passes.
Good or not he in his one and only varsity start at Platte County he threw 2 TDs and the team won 41-6. He is the only freshman in Platte County history to start at QB in a varsity game. He one of a hand full of freshman to earn letter at your school. There are a lot of people who think this kid is going to be very special and some who don’t. Obviously they like him enough in Florida you read this article and you are still tracking him in Oct, get a life. I am fan of this kid, so I continue to track him through high school and college one day.
well piperman im a platte county junior this year and started last year and the game he started in he didnt do as well as it looks because he had fumbles, ran the wrong plays and through bad passes thoughoutt the game. and he moved to a school that is suppost to be good but last time i checked he has about a 30 percent passing compleation rate, you can still support him if you want. plus he is an i-guy
John, last time I checked Jordan Darling now plays in Cincinnati, Ohio named by Max Preps as the Nation’s number one city for High School football in 2010. He played in one of the toughest conferences in America and finished as the leading passer. He is already a good and successful sophomore high school quarterback and doesn’t need the approval of John or your team. His school has over 2900 students and the football team produce three all Americans last season and one this year and for all you know as a senior you would have problems starting for his JV team. He is the only sophomore in the history of this high school to start as a sophomore at QB and that is enough to have my respect.
Cincy this kid is playing some against some great football, last year the whole state of Mo probably didn’t have 3 AA. One high school, I impressed.
Wonder if this kid is related to Ron Darling, pitcher? Small world!
Piperman, well i looked at soome stats and darling only had 1000 total yards for the season and his team only went 3-7, our qg had 3000 total yards and broke school recaords agaisnt players that had a over 50 total wins. and darlings only start at pc was against a pud team and he blew the first half
They say FSU dominated Florida with 2011 signees, I know with Driskel and others we Gators didn’t do too bad, not bad at all.
Never stops it is time for Florida to go after 2012, even 2013 and a kid like this. Go gators
[…] Prior to the 2010 season, according to one report on The Gainesville Sun website, Darling impressed University of Florida coaches. […]
http://recruiting.scout.com/2/1047418.html
Look forward to seeing this kid in Texas.
I know Jordan personally becasue I am now one of his offensive lineman at his new school Midway High School in Texas and he is a great athlete, has a great attitude, and is a great qb the last school he was at he said the lineman were big but they weren’t as strong us and couldn’t move their feet like we do so they couldn’t block and it’s never too early to start looking at future players football never has an offseason because we never take a break
Darling has strong Oklahoma ties that go way back. Would be shocked if he didn’t end up at Oklahoma.