Unique Name, Solid Game: Rising ATH Lil'Jordan Humphrey Eyeing Big 12 Schools

Normally one of the first things people bring up about a 6'5", 199-pound running back/wide receiver hybrid is his size. There are few 6'5" athletes who are in the backfield and not playing quarterback.

Never mind the near-2,200 yards of total offense gained or the 22 combined touchdowns acquired. Or the fact that he's versatile enough to go from running back to receiver to flex tight end to H-back, if necessary.

For Lil'Jordan Humphrey, it's hard for him to discuss his impressive senior season without having to say his first name more than once to strangers.

Lil'Jordan. Not Jordan, Lil'Jordan. You can't forget the "Lil'." Even though there's nothing "little" about him.

"Usually, the people around me, the people I know, they just call me L.J.," said Humphrey, the rising, 3-star athlete from storied Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, Texas. "When I go someplace new, I'll say my name and get a crazy look.

"I laugh at it. Hopefully, I'll work my butt off enough to where people will be cheering my name and saying it positively instead of negatively."

Humphrey, who said he was named after Michael Jordan, has a unique name, but it goes well with his unique game. As one of the nation's tallest running backs on any playing level, Humphrey finished his senior year with 1,292 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 184 carries. As a receiver, he caught a team-high 57 passes for 876 yards and eight scores.

Humphrey is expecting to play college football as a receiver, even though he'll be considered an athlete upon arrival of whichever campus he chooses. On Christmas, Humphrey, who has 15 reported offers, cut his list to two schools, Texas and Cal. On Tuesday, however, Humphrey said Texas Tech has overtaken Cal's spot, and he will make his commitment public on Jan. 30.

The next few days will be critical in landing Humphrey. He took an official visit to Texas over the weekend and originally had one set to Cal the weekend of Jan. 29 but told Bleacher Report that he's backing out of the visit. A trip to Texas Tech could replace Cal.

"I'm really just trying to see what both schools have," Humphrey said of Texas and Texas Tech. "I want to know if I'm able to play early. Education-wise, everything's on an upside. They are great academic places. I'm looking at [studying] either business or communications."

Humphrey's first offer came at the end of his sophomore year. Ole Miss was the first to take a chance on him. He rushed for 674 yards and six touchdowns on a team led offensively by quarterback Ryan Agnew and running back A.J. Ezzard, who are now at San Diego State and North Texas, respectively.

Humphrey's junior season was his breakout year, as he rushed for 1,817 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also showed his durability as he carried the ball 289 times. Additionally, Humphrey caught 26 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns.

At 6'5", Humphrey oftentimes is asked about his interest in playing college basketball. He's a contributor for Carroll's basketball team and has looks from smaller schools, including South Dakota. Humphrey, however, believes his future rests with football. He's looking to line up as a receiver in college and doesn't have a preference of playing outside receiver versus slot receiver.

"I've been playing football since I was four years old," he said, "but basketball's always kind of been my first love. I've trying to see if I can go somewhere with [football], and I think I can. Football's come natural to me; it took over my life when I first got [to Carroll]. It really started taking off with recruiting."

Tackling Humphrey, because of his stature, was difficult for defenders, and he's made it even tougher by adding 13 pounds of muscle since the start of the year. Add in that he's been clocked in the 40-yard dash at 4.5 seconds, and it's easy to see that he's on a mission to find his place in college football record books.

One of Humphrey's best games took place on Nov. 13, when Carroll shocked a Cedar Hill team playing for a third-consecutive Texas state championship. Humphrey rushed for 176 yards and two touchdowns and also caught five passes for 113 yards and a score.

Credit: 247Sports.com

As good as Humphrey looked then, he said the most memorable game, however, came during his junior year. Assisting in Carroll's come-from-behind effort against Mansfield, Humphrey rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown and caught four passes for 105 and the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter, as Carroll beat Mansfield, 38-31, in a playoff game the team once trailed 31-17.

Those highlights—and not his first name—are what Humphrey wants to be remembered for. If he has things go his way, he's looking to build a solid resume of highlights at the college level.

"Hopefully, I'll become one of best college players to ever play," he said. "That's a goal for me. Obviously, I want to win the Heisman or maybe the Biletnikoff as a receiver.

"I'm named after Michael Jordan. I take that seriously. Michael Jordan is great, and I want to be great at what I do, too."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles