Wake's Workhorse
9/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
This article was originally published in the Sept. 6 edition of Kickoff, the official gameday magazine of Wake Forest football.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest's link to The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, runs deep. No less than nine Bolles graduates have lettered for the Demon Deacons in football, starting with kicker Mark Usdin in 1980, through linebacker Mark DeOrio in 1998 and All-ACC caliber players such as Riley Skinner and John Russell. In fact, the 2011 Demon Deacons featured five Bolles graduates.
Jordan Garside may be the lone Bolles School graduate on the 2014 Wake Forest team but his recent election as a team captain speaks volumes about the quality of young people that the prep school produces.
Garside is one of the most compassionate, appreciative, and competitive people you will ever meet. A three-time member of the ACC Academic Honor Roll, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Wake Forest last May. He graduated with Honors Distinction in economics and was honored for having the highest grade point average in both the economics department and the religion department.
"Jordan exemplifies the term student-athlete," said Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson. "He graduated early with a great GPA and is now in graduate school. He's getting his master's degree. He challenges himself with his workload. He's a very dedicated athlete. He's one of the strongest players on the team and one of the smartest players in terms of football smarts. He is an incredible teammate who genuinely cares about everybody in that locker room."
After graduating from The Bolles School, Garside decided to pursue his dream of playing college football. Jordan's brother, Troy, attended Georgia Tech from 2005-08 where he played football as a walk-on for the majority of his time and was rewarded with a scholarship for his fifth and final season while earning a nomination for the ACC Rudy Award which is given to players who demonstrate great character and commitment to their team.
Choosing to attend Wake Forest was not a difficult decision, according to Garside.
"It was a perfect mix," said Garside. "Wake Forest has been such a blessing for me. I felt like Wake was the best fit for me both academically and athletically."
After redshirting in 2010, Jordan played in all 13 games as a member of the special teams in 2011, primarily the kickoff return unit. He returned his first kickoff against NC State by way of a squib kick later that season.
Garside played in eight games during the 2012 season, seeing the majority of his time on special teams, particularly on the kickoff return unit. He made his season debut against Duke on Sept. 29 and played every game the remainder of the season.
As a junior in 2013, Garside's role took on even greater importance as he earned playing time at fullback while maintain his status as a stalwart on the special teams. His dedication paid off with his first collegiate reception against Clemson. He added catches against Syracuse and Duke and earned his first career start against the Blue Devils.
Garside is a weight room legend at Wake Forest. He has done as many as 43 reps with 225 pounds, the standard used by the NFL at its annual Combine. At the 2014 Combine, the top running back invited managed 42 reps.
Perhaps tops among Garside's many honors was his recent election as a team captain. It is not often that a former walk-on is asked to lead an entire team.
Garside serves on the executive board of Santa's Helpers and on the leadership team of Athletes In Action (AIA). He has participated in Move-In Day, read to school children at local elementary schools, worked as an Orientation Mentor, volunteered with Habitat For Humanity and at Brenner's Childrens Hospital.
Taking a leadership role in AIA has its own rewards, according to Jordan.
"It's been fun to see some teammates grow not only as athletes but in their personal life and in their faith," said Garside. "It has been very rewarding."
"Jordan's a guy who's willing to put himself out there to help others, not just on the team but in the community," said Clawson. "I think he's been involved in every community service event we have participated in since I've been here. Jordan is a rare one."
Prior to the start of the 2014, Garside was rewarded with a scholarship for his final season.
"[Receiving the scholarship] is really surreal, and very humbling," said Garside. "There are expectations and hopes that you have when you walk through the door on the first day. I am very thankful."
Having already received his undergraduate degree, Garside is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts in Management program at Wake Forest. Yet again, he will be asked to balance his time on the field with the rigorous academic commitments for a graduate degree.
"Everyone in my Master's program and Coach Clawson are nothing but supportive," said Garside. "Sometimes I'll go to class sweaty after practice, but my professors are very understanding."
