NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Warren football fans have seen Antonio Jordan make big plays before. Saturday night, the former Lumberjack delivered on the Southeastern Conference stage, leading the Arkansas Razorbacks in receiving during a 31-21 victory over Vanderbilt that ended a nearly two-year SEC losing streak.
Jordan, a 6-foot-6 wide receiver and Warren High School graduate, turned in the most productive performance of his collegiate career, catching five passes for 74 yards. He was targeted seven times and averaged 14.8 yards per reception, according to the University of Arkansas’ official game statistics.
His biggest contribution came late in the third quarter with the Razorbacks and Commodores tied at 21.
Quarterback KJ Jackson connected with Jordan for a 32-yard gain down the sideline, moving Arkansas to the Vanderbilt 3-yard line. On the following play, running back Cam Settles scored from three yards out to put the Razorbacks ahead 28-21 with nine seconds remaining in the quarter.
Arkansas would not trail again.
Following the game, Jackson had high praise for his Warren teammate’s performance.
“I’m so happy for this guy, finally got a chance to show everybody what we already know,” Jackson said, according to Samuel Stubbs of Arkansas Razorbacks On SI.
Jordan’s emergence was especially important after Arkansas lost the services of leading receiver Chris Marshall during the contest.
In the university’s official postgame notes, Jordan credited the team’s preparation and emphasized the importance of being ready when called upon.
“We have been working on this since summer,” Jordan said.
He added that when a player goes down, coaches expect someone else to step forward, and he was simply doing his part.
The performance represented a significant breakthrough for Jordan, who entered Saturday’s contest with just three receptions for 25 yards through Arkansas’ first six games.
His five catches against Vanderbilt brought his season totals to eight receptions for 99 yards, with Saturday’s 32-yard gain standing as his longest reception of the year.
For those who followed Jordan during his days in Warren, his ability to deliver in big moments is nothing new.
Jordan established himself as one of the state’s top receiving prospects while wearing the orange and black of the Lumberjacks. During his junior campaign in 2023, he hauled in 43 passes for 1,041 yards and 14 touchdowns, earning All-State honors.
He continued to make his mark during the 2024 season, closing his high school career with a four-touchdown performance against Mills University Studies in the Class 4A state playoffs.
Jordan eventually signed with Arkansas after receiving offers from several major college programs, including Florida State, South Carolina and Tennessee.
His transition to college football was interrupted during the 2025 season when an ankle injury limited him to two appearances. He returned for the 2026 campaign as a redshirt freshman, looking to earn a larger role in the Razorbacks’ offense.
Saturday’s performance offered a glimpse of what that larger role could look like.
The victory itself was a milestone for Arkansas. The Razorbacks snapped a 14-game SEC losing streak and secured their first road victory since defeating Mississippi State on October 26, 2024.
Jackson completed 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and added 58 rushing yards and a touchdown. Settles contributed two rushing touchdowns, while the Arkansas defense forced two interceptions, including a 25-yard return for a touchdown by Joker Johnson.
The win improved Arkansas to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play under first-year head coach Ryan Silverfield.
The Razorbacks will have an open date next Saturday before returning home to face Missouri on October 31.
For Warren football fans who watched Jordan develop from a talented young Lumberjack into one of Arkansas’ most promising receivers, Saturday was another milestone in a journey that began right here in Bradley County.
