Louisville baseball commit and three-sport star comes through on the gridiron to help Cathedral to state championship
INDIANAPOLIS (BVM) — Cathedral High School senior Camden Jordan may be committed to playing Division I college baseball, but his three-sport high school career has proved his talent in football and basketball as well. This fall, the star receiver had an impressive senior season which helped lead Cathedral to an IHSAA 5A state championship.
Jordan grew up playing all three of his main sports, and also competed in track and field, soccer and lacrosse in his youth. Throughout his sports’ experience, Jordan has enjoyed the relationships he has been able to make with teammates and coaches.
“I really like the fact that it keeps a lot of people together,” Jordan said about competing in multiple sports. “Sports really gets my family and friends connected and creates relationships that I will never pass up for the rest of my life.”
In a day and age where many athletes with the caliber of talent that Jordan has might specialize to one sport, the 18-year-old also feels fortunate to have been able to play three sports throughout his high school career.
“I’m pretty lucky to be able to do all three,” Jordan said. “Going into Cathedral, I had my mind set on playing all three. It’s a lot of work, and definitely got harder, so I’ve had to focus more on my priorities. But I am thankful that I could do all three in high school and I made more friends because of it.”
The Cathedral senior quickly realized he had talent in each of his main sports during his youth, and has carried that into his high school career. On the hardwood, he has been part of a Fighting Irish team that plays in one of the most talented sectionals in the country. One of his fondest memories is playing alongside Cathedral alum and current Indiana University basketball star, Armaan Franklin.
Although he will not play basketball at Cathedral this winter, Jordan is proud of what he has accomplished on the court for the Fighting Irish, and played a big part in their success the last few seasons.
Jordan has also contributed to the school’s baseball success. As a freshman, he played junior varsity, but credits it as a good developmental season that grew his confidence. During the 2019 season, the outfielder was a leadoff hitter, batting .323 with 15 RBIs and 26 runs.
In the sectional championship that season, Jordan hit a two-out grand slam to help advance his team to regionals — one of the fondest memories of his young baseball career. Poised to take a step forward as a junior, Jordan was unfortunately denied that opportunity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was excited to get to go and play for my junior year,” Jordan said. “It just sucked hearing there wasn’t going to be a season. Everybody knew what we had that year so it was tough, but it actually gave me more time to focus on my offseason workout training.”
Throughout the last several years, Jordan has gained invaluable experience through his travel baseball career. He began by playing with the Indianapolis Monarchs, and enjoyed competing locally with his friends. He then decided to move up to a higher-level team, the Indiana Mustangs, who helped the 18-year-old grow his game even further.
Playing tournaments across the country, Jordan began getting more and more exposure. This year, the senior was asked to play with Team Indiana, another proud moment on the diamond for the outfielder.
Jordan hopes to return to the baseball field for the Fighting Irish this spring, and knows his team is poised for another good season.
“Senior year should be a great year,” Jordan added. “We have a lot of guys getting looks from different colleges, and I’m pretty confident that we can do better than my sophomore year.”
In the fall, Jordan has been a star on the football field as well, and he saved his best for last in his senior season.
The 18-year-old credits his speed as one of his top attributes in each of his sports, but specifically as a wide receiver in football. Playing on the freshman team in 2017, Jordan and his 2021 class showed their potential with an undefeated, 11-0 season.
Jordan had the opportunity to dress for the Fighting Irish’s varsity playoff games that season as well, and looked forward to contributing at that level as a sophomore. Initially, Jordan’s speed led him to be a special teams player. But in just the second game of the 2018 season, he suffered an avulsion fracture in his hip, sidelining him until the last game of the regular season. As quickly as he returned, Jordan got hurt, suffering a small fracture in his shoulder.
Coming in motivated, stronger and healthy in his junior year, Jordan proved to be a top target as a starting receiver for the Fighting Irish. With 14 touchdowns in eight games, Jordan would again fall victim to injury, rupturing his ankle.
“It was a cold day, I tried to make a play and I got hung up in the air and fell terribly,” Jordan said. “I knew it right away and I was just thinking not again, this can’t be the end of the season for me. It just felt like deja vu with it happening all over again. It definitely took a lot out of me and took a lot of time to get used to the new me.”
The 18-year-old would make a full recovery, and became even more motivated for what proved to be a special senior season. Coming into the year, Jordan strived to be a leader. With concerns of COVID-19 persisting, that goal was made tougher.
“I came to my first senior practice, and thought this honestly could be my last practice because of Covid,” Jordan said. “We never knew when we might have to stop so it was just about giving 100% on the field every single time you came out there, no matter what.”
Playing in memory of a teammate who passed away earlier in the year, the Fighting Irish had some added motivation, and they began the 2020 season strong.
“I’ve never been a part of a team that was as close as we were this season, and that’s something I’ll never forget,” the wide receiver added. “From game one, we rolled, and had the swagger we needed.”
Cathedral began the season 8-0, and suffered its only loss — a close 17-13 battle — at the end of the regular season to one of the top teams in the entire country, Center Grove. From there, four blowout victories would lead the Fighting Irish to the state title game at Lucas Oil Stadium.
“That loss wasn’t the end of the world and we thought we could turn it around and win the whole thing,” Jordan said.
In the state championship game against Zionsville, Jordan was ready to leave it all on the field for his team one last time. He did just that. The senior caught 12 passes and scored three touchdowns, helping Cathedral to a comfortable 46-28 victory.
“It’s a great feeling to know that I finished my football career on the highest note possible,” Jordan added. “That state game is something I will never forget and being able to think back to that and remember all the great times is going to be amazing for me.”
After his brilliant senior season, Jordan was named Mr. Football at the wide receiver position in the state of Indiana. The award put the cherry on top of a spectacular high school football career.
“When I saw my name, I just thought about how lucky and grateful I am to be in this position,” Jordan said. “It’s just a great feeling and I thought of it as more of a team award because of how much it takes from everybody to help me get to that position.”
Scoring 21 touchdowns as a senior, Jordan also leaves the Cathedral football program as the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns. It is an impressive feat considering the school has seen some special NFL talent come through the program with guys such as Mark Clayton and Terry McLaurin.
“I’m pretty grateful to hold these records at such a historic football school,” the senior said. “It was a goal of mine coming into senior year to break the records and put up some good numbers and I accomplished that.
“It’s just an honor to hear our team being considered as one of the top teams in Cathedral history. It’s a great feeling to know I was a part of that and played a key role in it.”
As special as Jordan’s talent on the football field is, he will now head to the University of Louisville to play baseball for the Cardinals.
Beyond blessed to announce that I will be continuing my academic and baseball career at the University of Louisville!! None of this would be possible without the support from my family, friends and coaches. Can’t wait to be a Card! #L1C4 @C_IrishBaseball @LouisvilleBSB pic.twitter.com/lCMrNHEGMl
— Cam Jordan (@camdenjordan4) March 21, 2020
At first, Jordan did not have his mind set on going to Louisville, and would have preferred to play somewhere warmer.
But Jordan was intrigued by playing college football as well, and Louisville was initially willing to give that opportunity to the multi-sport star. After further consideration, Jordan decided to not play football and put his main focus on baseball, and Louisville’s support throughout that process is one of the main factors that attracted him to the school most.
“I had a couple schools in mind that I would have loved to go to,” Jordan said. “But when it comes to Louisville, I think that’s just the perfect place for me. Everything about me just screams Louisville and I thought it was the best place for me personally.”
The Cathedral senior will look to develop his game further while at Louisville. As a center fielder, Jordan’s speed and ball tracking are exceptional in the outfield, and he will look to continue hitting towards the top of the lineup for the Cardinals.
But Jordan’s main goal for his future baseball career is playing in the MLB. Playing professional sports has long been a goal for the standout athlete, and he knows his opportunity is now upon him.
“I realize that I’m so lucky to be in the position I’m in and I realize it takes a lot for people to get to where I want to be,” Jordan said. “Before I can remember, I always had a ball in my hand. I love sports with a passion, and anything I can do to make that my career and make that my life, I’m willing to do. I have an end goal and that end goal is to be drafted in the MLB and become a big leaguer.”
