IUP Athletic Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Back To Hall of Fame
Leander Jordan, who regularly dominated opponents both as a run blocker and in pass protection, parlayed an All-America career at IUP into a career in the NFL. Jordan played professionally for three different teams over eight seasons.
He capped his highly decorated tenure at IUP as a first-team Associated Press and American Football Coaches Association All-America guard in 1999. Jordan was also a second-team CoSIDA/Daktronics/CCA All-American that season and a first-team All-PSAC West pick. He was named to the PSAC West second team as a junior.
IUP made three appearances in the NCAA Division II playoffs during Jordan’s time in uniform, highlighted by a run to the national semifinals in 1999. Coach Frank Cignetti’s team defeated Slippery Rock and Millersville before bowing to eventual champion Northwest Missouri State. IUP’s best record during Jordan’s career was 10-2 in 1998.
He was selected in the third round of the NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers, the 82nd player taken overall. Jordan played as both a guard and a tackle in the NFL. He spent two seasons with the Panthers and two with the Jacksonville Jaguars before moving on to San Diego, where he opened holes for two-time NFL rushing champion and future Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson. The Chargers won two AFC West titles in Jordan’s three years with the team and finished 14-2 in 2006, the best record in franchise history. He wrapped up his NFL career with Jacksonville in 2008.
Jordan graduated from IUP in 2011 with a degree in criminology and earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix University in 2013. He is founder and CEO of ATL Alumni Inc., an Atlanta nonprofit.
He resides in Decatur, Ga., with his significant other, LaQuanza Vallery, and their daughter, Jewlz, 1. Jordan has five other children—Chantelle, 23; Leander Jr., 21; Ezra, 12; Trinity, 8; and Khaiylel, 5—and one grandchild.
Jordan appeared in 37 games, starting 14, during his NFL career. Among IUP alums, only offensive lineman Chris Villarrial (155 games), linebacker Jim Haslett (94), tight end John Jones (49) and wide receiver Dave Smith (44) have made more NFL appearances.
Back To Hall of Fame
