To kickoff our Rising Star Series, we catch up with Our Lady of Mercy do it all athlete Jordan Culotta. At 5’8, 150 pounds, Culotta is an athletic young player that has a lot of different tools in his tool box. Playing for the Blue Jays, Culotta has played quarterback, wide receiver, safety, and outside linebacker. For his eighth grade season, he led Mercy to the Bruin Bowl and along the way, stuffed the stat sheet. Throwing the football, the exciting Blue Jay Swiss Army knife completed 48/88 passes for 557 yards and six touchdowns plus two successful two point conversions. Running the football, he had 75 carries for 1,175 yards and 23 touchdowns plus 11 2 point conversions and even a receiving touchdown. Culotta also did some damage defensively with 58 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 3 INTs, 5 PBUs, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. Finally, Jordan showed he can make an impact on special teams with two kickoff returns for touchdowns and a 74 yard punt return for a touchdown.
His talent also shows that he can perform at a high level with some of the best talent around. To end the season, Culotta was named MVP of the Bruin Bowl Consolation Game against St. John of Plaquemine and of course, was named the Offensive MVP for Team South in the 2024 Gridiron Football Junior High All-American Bowl Game where he led Team South’s only offensive touchdown drive of the series and also added a couple of impressive defensive plays as well.
Making plays in the pocket while also extending plays to throw and run is very reminiscent of a young Johnny Manziel. With incredible talent, confidence, a high football IQ, the versatility to play multiple positions, and a will to win, there is no question that the sky is the limit for this rising star. I got the chance to speak with Jordan Culotta after his MVP performance and to get to know him a little more as he plans on enrolling at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
What are the accomplishments that you are most proud of so far in your young football career?
“First, I love football and I’ve been playing since I’ve been five years old. My eighth grade year, I was voted Team Captain, named the MVP of the Bruin Bowl, and also winning the offensive MVP in the Gridiron Football Junior High All-American Bowl Game.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
You said that you have been playing football since you are five. What do you think you have grown the most as a player since you first started?
“I think just my instincts and understanding the game and I love playing with the ball, but I play with a mentality.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
You led Mercy to the Bruin Bowl your 8th grade year, which is a big deal. What was the most rewarding part about leading the team to the Bruin Bowl and what grade would you give yourself for how you played your 8th grade season?
“The most rewarding part about leading my team to the Bruin Bowl was just growing as a player being alongside my teammates and I would give my team an A+ for the season because I couldn’t have done it without my teammates.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
You also followed that up with a great performance in the Junior High All-American Bowl Game by winning the Team South MVP. What were your thoughts about the bowl game in how you played and what was your favorite part about the event?
“I thought all around it was a great experience to play with kids from other schools and to be coached by high school coaches and it was just a great experience.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
Is there a game in particular that has stood out to you the most so far in the way that you performed or played?
“In my 8th grade, we played Catholic High Pointe Coupee and it was a track meet and we ended up losing 46-40, but our team played really well and my teammates helped me score five touchdowns including a kickoff return at the end. Da’Michael Hart was one of my teammates in the Gridiron All-Star Game and he also had a great game.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
You play multiple positions for your school. What positions do you enjoy playing the most and why?
“I enjoy playing wide receiver and safety the most because with wide receiver, every time I catch the ball, I know I have a chance to score and at safety, I love coming up and hitting and then when the ball is in the air, I know its mine.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
How does playing multiple positions give you an advantage over other players?
“It gives me an advantage because I get to see the whole game and I’m always settled into the game because I never have a chance to come out.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
Who is a college or NFL player that you like to model their game and what do you like the most about those players specifically?
“I model my game after Travis Hunter and Sean Taylor. The thing I like about Travis Hunter is that he plays both sides at a high level and the thing I love about Sean Taylor is how hard he hits and his swag. I also love Johnny Manziel’s game.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
What do you want to improve on the most as you approach high school?
“I need to get stronger and faster.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
What other sports do you enjoy playing besides football?
“I love playing basketball.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
What teams do you like cheering for and rooting for?
“LSU, Cincinnati Bengals, and Golden State”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
What is an interesting fact about yourself or hobby that you like to do that our readers need to know about you?
“I really like hanging with my friends. We play video games, go to LSU games, and all hang together. When I’m not playing sports, that’s what I love doing.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
What are your goals once you go to high school?
“I want to get in ready to go. I have already started working to get ready for next year. I want to have a chance to play my sophomore year and work to get recruited DI.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
What do you want to go into after your playing days are over?
“I want to stay around the games and want to go into coaching.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
Why should fans keep their eye on Jordan Culotta as a rising star?
“I just want to make my family and city proud.”
Our Lady of Mercy ATH Jordan Culotta
To read more about Jordan’s performance and to watch the 2024 Gridiron Football Junior High All-American Bowl Game, click below!
*We are about to begin the 2025 Gridiron Football Season and if you are a player that wants to be apart of the 2025 Gridiron Football Junior High All-American Bowl Game or the 2025 Gridiron Football Senior All-American Bowl Game, you must be at our events to be considered for the game. This will apply especially to Louisiana athletes since we have growing interest from outside the state. We are inviting top performers from our 7v7 tournaments, our elite camps, and finally, our Gridiron Football Media Day. We already have our first 7v7 tournament and two elite camps posted below. To register, you can click any of the pictures below!
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