Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

UNLV

85 Jordan Sparkman

  • Defensive Line
  • Grade: Junior
  • Height: 6′6″
  • Weight: 265 lbs
UNLV: A potential honors candidate as a senior ... An impressive two-way player in high school who is now making a big impact on the defensive side of the ball ... Moved to defensive end after spending his redshirt season as a tight end ... Listed No. 1 at one end slot heading into the fall ... A two-time member of the Academic All-Mountain West team ... Also earned a spot on the UNLV Dean's Honor List for the last three semesters.

2013: Started 12 of 13 games at end and recorded a career-high 37 tackles, including 3.5 TFL ... Posted his second career QB sack as well.

2012: Played in all 13 games, including starting six at DE ... Posted a career-best 33 tackles that included 3.5 for-loss ... Had a QB sack, a pass breakup and one forced fumble.

2011: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by playing in all 12 games ... Finished with five total tackles playing on defense and special teams.

2010: Redshirted season ... Named UNLV Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2010 graduate of Point Loma HS in San Diego ... Was ranked as the No. 67 TE prospect in the nation by Scout.com ... A two-year varsity letterwinner, playing on both sides of the line for coach Mike Hastings, whose team finished 9-4 in 2009 ... Earned first team All-Western League as a senior tight end ... Finished with 17 receptions for 291 yards (17.1 YPC) and five touchdowns for the Pointers ... Also posted 28 tackles, including 24 solo, to go along with a QB sack and two forced fumbles as a defensive end ... Also lettered one season in basketball.

PERSONAL: Jordan Keanu Sparkman was born Aug. 31, 1991, in San Diego ... The son of Ramona Sparkman ... Has an older brother, Josh ... Uncle, Jerome Sparkman, who lettered as a running back for Purdue in the late 1980s, is a resident of Las Vegas ... Majoring in human services.