Jordan Burroughs talks about the past, present and future

By TOM Staff

Last season Nebraska Cornhusker Jordan Burroughs suffered a major knee injury that ended his senior campaign. Immediately the message boards lit up discussing the likelihood of Jordan getting a medical red-shirt.

Burroughs was a heavy favorite to win his second NCAA title.

Jordan graciously took sometime to sit with TOM and discuss things.

TOM: As we all know the season did not really go as planned for you, how are you doing and what can you share with about where you at with your rehab?

JB: “Yeah things were a little tough this year, but I just try to look at this injury as another obstacle I have to overcome to repeat as an NCAA champion, a lot of people don’t realize that we wrestle with a lot more than just our opponents but school, weight, injuries, just life in general, it’s a tough lifestyle and it definitely wears on you. Right now I just passed the 3 month mark in rehab, I had surgery on January 2, 2010 and I will be cleared to be back on the mat this summer, rehab has been tough and painful but I’m looking forward to next year.”

TOM: One question I am sure many people want to know is if you will be back in the next season or in other words were you granted a medical red-shirt?

JB: “Well I haven’t received official word back yet from the NCAA, but I have met all the requirements to receive the medical. An incredible story is that I was only one match under the 30% competition rule, and I had to miss a dual meet to travel to my grandfather’s funeral a week before I was injured. So I think everything happens for a reason, and I’m definitely grateful to possibly have another year.”

TOM: I am sure it was hard sitting on the side this year, what did you do with your time and how did you contribute to the team?

JB: “Yeah it was definitely tough to see another guy win my weight class, but every guy out there works hard and part of being a champ is lasting all year injury free. I have been lifting 4 days a week and trying to get healthy again, just looking forward to being a leader next year for our team, keeping these young guys hungry and getting them prepared because I won’t be satisfied unless I win a team trophy this season.”

TOM: Looking forward and assuming your medical does come through, do you plan on being at 157 next season?

JB: “If the redshirt does come through I will be at 165 next year. I have grown and I feel I will be able to be successful at this weight as well and it will help me to grow into 74 kg for freestyle. I want to enjoy my senior year, free of weight cutting.”

TOM: As a team what should people expect out of Nebraska next season?

JB: “As a team we will be young but tough. We have a lot of young guys that we are counting on to step up and all of them have won at high levels of competition. We believe they can be successful in the future and we pride ourselves on wrestling tough every match.”

TOM: When we spoke before you mentioned an interest in a possible MMA future, do you follow the sport now?

JB: “Yeah I enjoy watching MMA and it is definitely a possible interest, but there are thousands of tough guys out there that are walking around saying they can fight, but there are very few that can say they are Olympic champions.”

TOM: If you had (or do have) a personal motto what would it be?

JB: “If I had a personal motto it would be to just enjoy the short time you have as a collegiate athlete, and seize the moment, you only get 4 chances at being a National champion. The season is a long grind, so make sure to keep it fun. Win or lose you’ll still be the same person you were before you stepped on the mat. One thing I don’t enjoy is the criticism from posters on Themat.com. I think that it may be fun for our fans, but bad for our sport. Wrestlers look at those sites, and to see someone bashing them is really discouraging, despite the hard work and effort they put into their sport. It’s not fair to the kids or the coaches who have to constantly reestablish confidence in kids who has lost it from reading a bad comment about them.”