By DUSTIN ASKIM
With the 31st pick in the fifth round of the National Football League Draft, the Miami Dolphins drafted former Grizzly linebacker Jordan Tripp.
Tripp, a finalist for FCS Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013, was the 171st overall pick. The 6-foot-3, 234 pound backer will join former University of Montana defensive back Jimmy Wilson in Miami, and other former Grizzlies Trumaine Johnson, Colt Anderson, Marc Mariani, Chase Reynolds and Kroy Biermann in the NFL.
The Missoula, Mont. native started gaining national attention from scouts and the media for his play in the 65th Annual Senior Bowl a few months ago. Tripp followed up the Senior Bowl with an impressive NFL Combine outing. He ran a 4.67 second 40-yard dash, and benched 225 pounds 22 times, but most impressively, Tripp was first among all linebackers in the 20-yard shuttle with a time of 3.96, which tied A.J. Hawk for the fastest time ever for a linebacker.
Jordan Tripp. Photo by Austin Smith for Make it Missoula.
Trip was also in the top five among backers in both the vertical jump, and the three cone drill. NFL.com calls Tripp a player who, “Triggers fast downhill vs. the run, diagnoses quickly and is around the ball a lot.” Adding that the former No. 37 has, “Outstanding motor, intensity and effort,” and, “outstanding weight-room work ethic.”
Tripp was a rare four-year starter and a five-time letterman for the Griz. He’s fourth in school history with 335 career tackles, and holds the school record with 10 fumble recoveries. He played in 53 career games with 38 starts, and started 24 consecutive games his junior and senior seasons.
The former team captain is the 33rd UM player to be picked in the NFL Draft’s history. Mitchell Van-Dyk, a former Portland State offensive tackle picked by the Rams in the seventh round, was the only other Big Sky player chosen in the 2014 draft.
Tripp bio. quick hits
HIGH SCHOOL: He was an “AA” all-state and all-conference pick at Big Sky High School as a senior when he had 12 sacks despite battling an injury. He registered 72 tackles, including 13 for losses for the 6-5 Eagles in 2008. He was a team captain in football his senior year. He was also all-league selection in football as a junior. He also lettered in track. His high school coach was former Griz player (1959-61) and coach (1977-79) Gary Ekegren.
CAREER HIGHS: He had 13 tackles against Cal Poly in 2013, versus Montana State in 2012, and against North Dakota in 2010. He had three tackles for loss and two sacks against Southern Utah in 2012. He had a fumble recovery in the end zone for a TD against Portland State in 2012, and an 80-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in 2012 against Idaho State. He had a 22-yard interception return for a touchdown in the 2010 opener against Western State.
PERSONAL: He was a third generation football player at Montana. His father, Bryan, was a starting linebacker for the Grizzlies in 1989 and 1990, while his grandfather, Gene, played offensive line and lettered at Montana in 1963-64. His mom’s name is Lisa. His major was business management. His birth date is April 3, 1991.
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