Jordan Sogers is now starting right tackle for UNA (photo contributed/Mason Mathews)

FLORENCE- Jordan Sogers has picked up in college right where he left off at James Clemens High School.

Sogers, a 2015 graduate of James Clemens, is the starting right tackle for Division 2 Gulf South Conference member University of North Alabama. He redshirted last year.

“Coach (Scott) Harper has helped me with my technique, footwork and overall blocking ability,” Sogers said. “In fall camp the starting right tackle tore his ACL so I jumped into the starting lineup. It’s a little bit of a surprise (to be starting) but it’s a lot of fun and I’m enjoying it.”

At James Clemens he was one of the top linemen on a team that produced two current SEC players; Ryan Parris (Alabama) and Logan Stenberg (Kentucky). He was a member of the school’s first full senior class.

Sogers didn’t have a lot of offers coming out of high school but his excellent grades helped land him an offer from UNA.

Sogers has filled out to 6-foot-3, 297 pounds.

UNA runs a fast paced no huddle offense that Sogers enjoys playing in.

“It’s a lot of fun playing in a fast paced offense especially when we are moving the ball and getting chunks of yardage. It’s the same offense we ran at James Clemens so it was easy to adapt to.”

UNA is on pace to equal or exceed last year’s offense that averaged 38 points and 470 yards that went 9-3 and won a share of the conference title.

At James Clemens he received the Iron Man Award as a junior and senior. He was also named Lineman of the year. Academically, he graduated with an Advance Diploma.

Sogers now is playing for UNA head coach Bobby Wallace, the winningest football coach in UNA history and in Gulf South Conference history.

“North Alabama is a great place to go to school and play football,” Sogers said. “The difference between D-1 and D-2 is not as great as people think. It is highly competitive. College football is a business and you got to work hard.”

The Lions defeated Valdosta St. 44-19 on Sept. 17 before a crowd of over 8,000 fans.