In the early spring of 2006, a 135 pound wrestler from Winslow Township High School, in New Jersey, was virtually unnoticed by every college coach in the country. Half way through his senior year, Jordan Burroughs had zero scholarship offers. He was a three-time district champion, and two-time regional champion. Impressive feats but relatively assumed by any future NCAA Division I wrestler. Most wrestlers heading to college hardly celebrate district and regional titles because they are chasing state and national titles.

Jordan Burroughs had neither. Heading into his final New Jersey state tournament he was ready to ascend to new heights. He would go on to capture his first state championship in his final attempt. He was the 2006, New Jersey state champion at 135 pounds. Still no scholarship offers.

A few weeks after his state championship, Burroughs entered the National High School Coaches Association tournament in Virginia Beach, VA. The premiere high school tournament in the country. He continued his run of success by capturing the NHSCA national championship at 135 pounds. In the late spring of his senior year, his recruiting began to gain a little traction. Still not considered a high-profile recruit, Burroughs was getting the attention of a few colleges, yet no official offers. Having already been out to New Jersey often to recruit, the University of Nebraska head coach, Mark Manning became the first and only coach to offer Jordan Burroughs a scholarship to compete in college.

Now a New Jersey state champion, and a NHSCA national champion. A recipient of a scholarship to the University of Nebraska. The recruiting gurus still were not convinced this was a future star in the making. He packed his bags for Lincoln, Nebraska as the 52nd best recruit in the country. It’s not to diminish the accomplishments in high school for Jordan Burroughs. To win a state title, even one time is an amazing accomplishment. Even more impressive to become a national champion in high school and receive an NCAA Division I scholarship. All of these feats would be enough for anyone to be proud. It’s not that these are not impressive accomplishments, it’s more that they are underwhelming contrasted to what Jordan Burroughs would go on to achieve.

As a freshman at Nebraska, Burroughs had an average at best debut to the college scene. He finished the year with a 16-13 record and a 3rd place finish in the Big-12 conference. Not a high profile recruit, and not someone who burst on the scene at the NCAA Division I level. Many careers that start with a 16-13 record fizzle out completely. Others like Burroughs were just getting started. The progress made in his senior year of high school was continuing in his freshman year of college. He was continuing to get better, learn his own unique style, and he was prepared to break out.

His next season as a sophomore for the Cornhuskers, Jordan Burroughs became an NCAA All-American. An amazing accomplishment. Especially impressive for a journeymen recruit, overlooked by high school rankings and high profile coaches. Now two seasons into his college career and half way done with his eligibility Jordan Burroughs was an NCAA All-American. Had his career ended at this point many would say it would have been wildly successful. One-time state champion becomes NCAA All-American. Overachieving in the eyes of many critics. A job well done. But Burroughs was just getting started.

The next season he would go on to win an NCAA Division I title with an undefeated record. After suffering a torn ACL in his senior season he returned after recovery for his final year of eligibility. In his final season he was once again an undefeated NCAA champion. His fifth-year senior season was so dominant, he was named the Dan Hodge trophy award winner (the wrestling equivalent to the Heisman Trophy). 

The wrestler with one scholarship offer in the spring of his senior year. The 52nd ranked recruit in his class. Jordan Burroughs became a two-time NCAA Champion with a career record of 128-20. After his freshman season record of 16-13, Burroughs would finish his college career with a 104-7 record. Given where his abilities started, his college career was an incredible achievement. To go from one-time state champion to two-time NCAA Champion was incredible. But Burroughs was just getting started. 

With his collegiate career complete, Jordan Burroughs set his sights on the world senior level wrestling circuit. Most U.S. college stars take a few years to get acclimated to the style and the level. Burroughs set his sights on being the best in the world. Just a few months from his collegiate career, Burroughs proclaimed he would be a world champion. A claim that was laughable to the world of wrestling. After all, he was completely unknown globally in the sport of wrestling. Just the 52nd best recruit in his class as a senior in high school.

Just a few months removed from wrestling in college, Jordan Burroughs competed in his first world championship. In the early rounds of the tournament he defeated Dennis Tsargush of Russia, the defending world-champion. With the win, the wrestling world began to recognize his name and it has never stopped. He went on to win his first world title in that tournament in 2011.

A year later he became an Olympic Champion in London. In 2013 he won his third consecutive world title. In total Jordan Burroughs has captured five world championships. He has represented the United States in nine consecutive world championships or Olympic games. He is an eight-time medalist on the world stage and is arguably one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the sport. Since entering the senior level, he carries a 194-10 overall record.

The Extra Degree

In his book titled 212: The Extra Degree Sam Parker discusses the power of one degree. At 211 degrees, water is simply hot. At 212 degrees water begins to boil. Boiling water creates steam and steam can power a locomotive. The difference in one degree can change everything. The beauty of the long-game pursuit is it is difficult to determine where the one degree is acquired to go from 211 degrees to 212 degrees. For Jordan Burroughs, where was the tipping point from one-time state champion to one of the greatest wrestlers whoever lived? Was it after winning high school nationals? Was it when he became an NCAA all-american? Was it after his first NCAA national championship? First world title? First Olympic gold medal? Where was the point of no return? When did it become powerful momentum rolling downhill for Burroughs? The beauty is, since it’s just one degree, it was likely picked up in an insignificant practice or workout on a random day training in Lincoln. It’s possible on the day things tipped to 212 degrees, Burroughs didn’t “feel like training.” But eventually things began to boil for Burroughs, and once the train got moving it became an unstoppable force. It still has not stopped. Jordan Burroughs is preparing to make yet another Olympic team for the United States of America in 2021. Not bad for the 52nd best recruit in the 2006 recruiting rankings.

It is possible today, that you are one degree away from 212 degrees. Keep training, keep swinging. 

Stay The Course,

JB