Here’s all you need to know about Jordan Scipio.
He will do whatever he is asked on the football field, he will do it well, and will not complain if something doesn’t go exactly his way.
To wit: During the off-season, Notre Dame High coach Sean Clancy asked the Lawrence resident to play running back; a position he had not played since Pee Wee football. Scipio is a defensive back, first and foremost and that is where his future lies.
But he was completely open to the new role. Not only did he accept it, he thrived at it. In ND’s first three games Scipio carried 43 times for 382 yards and five touchdowns. With stats like that, it would figure the guy had put a lock on the starting job.
But there was a catch. Rutgers commit Gabe Winowich transferred in from Michigan, so basically Scipio was just holding his spot until Winowich became eligible. That happened in the season’s fourth game against Ewing, and Scipio got just two touches. But he made the most of them, collecting 36 yards and a touchdown.
“That’s my mentality, make the most of what I can get,” Scipio said after the game. “Just kind of make it happen whenever I can.”
And he harbors no ill will at being told to take on the responsibility of running back; only to have that role diminished after three games.
“Back in December they told me I gotta get my legs stronger, I gotta get my footwork right because I’m gonna be getting some touches,” Scipio said. “In the spring I got the memo (about Winowich). It didn’t mess with my mentality. It’s not like I’m gonna get discouraged he’s gonna get more touches. It just built me up and I knew I was gonna make the most of my opportunities. I know the coaches are gonna give me chances.”
Clancy feels that attitude is prevalent on his squad.
“All of our guys are team first,” he said. “We never had any problem with that.”
And besides, Scipio knew he still had his spot in the secondary; be it cornerback or elsewhere. Earlier this month he took a recruiting trip to Sacred Heart, and noted that Maryland and Albright also showed interest in recruiting him as a DB.
“ He’s a great tackler, a real good cover guy,” coach Sean Clancy said. “He runs track, he’s got real good speed and instincts. He’s big enough for college (at 5-11, 170).
“He’s the hardest worker on the team. He’s our strongest player, pound for pound. We asked him to play running back and he stepped right in. Took coaching and did a great job.”
And what led to that decision?
“He’s fast, he’s physical and he’s always up for the challenge,” the coach said.
Scipio showed how ready he was for the challenge on opening night against Wayne Valley, rushing 12 times for 108 yards and two touchdowns in a big Irish victory. He went for another 155 and two more scores in a win over Allentown and 119 yards, including a 65-yard TD run, in a victory at Nottingham.
“He was phenomenal,” Winowich said of the first three games.
While Winowich watched and waited his turn, he also helped Scipio learn the nuances of the position. That’s according to Scipio. Winowich felt he was getting too much credit.
“That’s very nice of him, but I don’t think it’s deserving,” he said. “It’s more so him. Scip is obviously a phenomenal running back. He sees things that I don’t see.”
But there were times the future Scarlet Knight felt he could be of help.
“It’s always great to get intake,” Winowich said. “There’s always things you’re gonna be blinded too, so I maybe helped him sometimes understand the pace of the handoff, where the cut’s gonna hit, how to hit it.”
“Not that I’m the running back whisperer,” Winowich added with a laugh. “He was telling me stuff too and helping me with the playbook. It was great being able to work with him. He helped me more than I helped him. I’m very thankful for that.”
Whatever help Winowich provided came in handy considering how Scipio produced.
“Did it surprise me?” Clancy asked. “Does anything that young man does surprise me? No. He’s willing to do anything. He’s real supportive of everything we’re trying to do, he’s a pleasure to have.”
Scipio was introduced to football at age 3. He started in Trenton Pop Warner, moved to Ewing and then played Pop Warner for the Lawrence Cardinals. He was a tight end with Trenton, a running back for Ewing and a running back/receiver at Lawrence.
His tackling ability came about when he got to middle school and was used as a linebacker.
“I always had the mentality to just make a play on a tackle,” Scipio said. “I liked it. It was really fun. But they needed me at DB when I got here. I just say put me anywhere and I’ll make plays. I started at corner my sophomore year, now they’ve got me all over the place.”
During his first two seasons on varsity, Scipio amassed 68 tackles, two interceptions and five tackles for loss. Through four games this year, he made 21 tackles, two tackles for loss and had one pass break-up.
“You gotta have confidence playing DB,” he said. “You mess up on one play, you just gotta forget about it, and it’s on to the next.”
It helps to have other attributes, and Clancy feels Scipio is the full package.
“He provides leadership, physicality; a knowledge of the game,” the coach said. “His ability to identify what’s going on is fantastic. He’s a real top player.”
Scipio showed he’s a versatile player when asked to play offense. When asked if he was surprised by his production on offense, Scipio said “It’s just a blessing from God. I praise him for all these blessings I’ve received during the season.”
And the Irish feel just as blessed to have him on their side.
