In this BONUS CLIP from BACKSTORY 2 — SOPHOMORE YEAR, Ellison Jordan reflects on opening the season against Good Counsel in an ESPN matchup that tested Gilman immediately.

From rivalry pressure and early adversity to proving the program still belonged on the national stage, this clip captures the intensity of high-level high school football under the lights.

In this BONUS CLIP from BACKSTORY 2 — SOPHOMORE YEAR, Ellison Jordan reflects on the transition from #71 to #42 and the confidence shift that came with sophomore year football.

From changing positions and taking on more responsibility to feeling like he entered his “prime” as a player, this clip captures the early stages of transformation, identity, and growth.

In Part 2 of the BACKSTORY series, Ellison Jordan reflects on his sophomore year at Gilman School — the season where he transitioned from #71 to #42 and began emerging as one of the top defensive linemen in the region.

From ESPN matchups and national powerhouse opponents to rivalry losses, breakout performances, and earning his first major Division I offer from Michigan State, this episode captures the pressure, growth, and confidence that defined sophomore year.

This is the story of identity, evolution, and becoming the player people finally started noticing.

Your pain doesn’t disappear.

It transforms.

In this powerful message from the Men of Light Program, at the Evening Light Church of Christ, UNHEARD @HLETE Host Ellison speaks on healing, forgiveness, and finding purpose through pain.

No matter what you’ve been through — trauma, anxiety, loss, betrayal — your story still matters.

And your voice still has power.

This is more than a speech.
This is a reminder:
👉 Your pain becomes your voice.

—

🎙 UNHEARD @HLETE
Where Athletes Speak Freely.

Are you building for the moment -- or for decades?

In this segment from THE FRESHMAN YEAR, Ellison explains the long-term mindset behind choosing Gilman. This decision wasn't rooted in short-term visibility, but in building a foundation that would extend far beyond football.

Follow the podcast and share this with someone building beyond the season.

In BACKSTORY 2, Ellison takes you inside his freshman year at Gilman — a year defined by sacrifice, pressure, doubt, and breakthrough moments.

From choosing a school based on a 40-year plan…
To summer school and relentless workouts…
To starting on varsity as a 15-year-old nose guard…
To playing on ESPN in his first high school game…

This episode explores what it really takes to adjust at the highest level of high school football.

You’ll hear about:

• Leaving comfort and familiarity behind
• Training camp doubts and internal battles
• The emotional moment before walking onto the field on ESPN
• The Cam Newton celebration — and the lesson that followed
• Championship football in the MIAA
• Earning MaxPreps Second Team All-American honors… without a single D1 offer

This wasn’t a perfect season.
It was a growing season.

And it set the foundation for everything that followed.

🎧 Listen on:
• YouTube
• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• iHeartRadio

Subscribe. Follow. Share the journey.

For many athletes, the game becomes more than a sport.

It becomes identify.

In these early years, football gave him confidence, direction, and purpose.

He loved the game.

He trusted the journey.

But life had a different path waiting.

If this resonates, listen to the full Backstory 1.