Antonio Jordan is 'the next one' in Warren's long WR lineage

On3 image — Arkansas freshman Antonio Jordan may have an opportunity sooner than later to be the 'next one up' from wide-receiver-producing Warren. (Photo via a.jjordan2)

Last Thursday at the 2025 SEC Media Days in Atlanta (Ga.), Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman discussed topics ranging from falling behind in finances and recruiting, to the (possibly) one-time matchup with Arkansas State, to coaching this upcoming season with a new hip, all mixed in with thoughts on his sixth Razorback team.

Regardless of what fans took away from Pittman’s 29 minutes at the podium, one of the most positive is what they heard when asked about options at wide receiver, particularly after Pittman confirmed transfer wideout Ismael Cisse will “probably” miss the season with a wrist injury.

Pittman used phrases such as “special freshman” and “supreme talents” when discussing what Antonio “AJ” Jordan brings to the table on the outside where Cisse left a void.

“I know he’s a freshman, but we’ve seen enough out of him this summer in his off-season workout in the weight room and his running ability that we think he can help us, too,” Pittman said regarding Jordan.

Jordan is the latest in a continuously-growing line from “Wide Receiversville, USA“, also known as Warren, Ark., that has produced some of the Razorbacks’ top pass catchers not only of the 21st century, but all-time.

Everyone knows the story by now. Greg Childs, Chris Gragg and Jarius Wright started the trend in the 2008 class for the Hogs and went on to help Arkansas’ offense shatter records, then came Treylon Burks.

“AJ is just the next one,” Warren head coach Bo Hembree, who is about to begin his 26th season leading the Lumberjacks, said of Jordan.

Star power only tells so much

Along with the Razorbacks, Jordan was offered by Florida State, South Carolina and Tennessee during his recruitment as a three-star prospect.

ESPN had him ranked the highest of any recruiting service as the 29th-best tight end/H-back (some services had home listed as a tight end) in the 2025 class, but stars and rankings have never been a concern under Hembree’s watch.

“We do not get caught up in all that stuff about stars because most of the time they are wrong anyway,” Hembree said. “It is just about going out and proving yourself and trying to be the next guy who could step up and be a player.”

Antonio Jordan’s Lumberjack lineage is strong

At 6-foot-6, 230 pounds, Jordan offers a lengthy presence on the outside that he utilizes to his advantage.

“AJ is very physical and very explosive, plus for his size he is going to be faster than what everybody thinks,” Hembree said. “He is going to be able to outrun people and he won’t shy away from contact.

“Just has all that you would want in being a tall, fast, physical receiver.”

Catching passes is in Jordan’s bloodline. His father, Moorehead Jordan, is a 2007 graduate of Warren and played alongside Childs, Gragg and Wright for the Lumberjacks and helped them to the 2006 4A state championship game.

One of the biggest challenges that AJ Jordan will face is one that nearly every college athlete meets when making the adjustment from high school: the speed and physicality of the college game, particularly in the SEC.

Hembree believes that part will take care of itself, but any wide receiver in a Razorback uniform with “Warren, Arkansas” as his home town will have added pressure.

“The pressure with AJ is not making it in the SEC, it is the pressure of being the next one from Warren because every one of them has made it thus far,” Hembree said. “Living up to the expectations he has around here is a lot more than anyone else is going to put on him.

More than just a wide receiver

Like others before him, Jordan benefited both from competing in multiple sports, as well as various positions on the football field. Along with the gridiron, Jordan also thrived at basketball and baseball, as well as track and field.

Hembree credits Jordan’s versatility and willingness to play where he is needed as key factors in his development.

“The biggest deal is our kids are football players, they are not just receivers,” Hembree said of his Class 4A program. “I think that is what hurts the 5A, 6A and 7A kids is they usually do not develop as quick because they are specializing in one position.

“If they do not make it at that one position, then they are in trouble.”

Hembree then went on to list all of the positions where he utilized Jordan, naming each possible one with the exception of the offensive and defensive lines, as well as kicker.

“I don’t want to jinx AJ, but most of the time it is easier for our kids (to adjust to the next level) because they never come off of the field,” Hembree said. “When all of the previous guys have gone up there – Chris, Greg, Jarius and Treylon – it has not been as hard because they have played on both sides, plus special teams.”

––––––––––