Troy University Athletics
Becoming MegaChunn
9/15/2017 10:58:00 AM | Football
After an explosive junior season, Jordan Chunn, better known as MegaChunn, returns to the field for his senior campaign, looking to shock the world yet again.
Last season, Chunn plastered his name all over the Troy record books, number one all-time with 279 rushing attempts in 2016, second in Troy history averaging 99.1 yards per game last season, fifth all-time with 525 rushing attempts and number one with 37 career rushing touchdowns, just to name a few. He hopes to rush over 1,000 yards again and break his own records in 2017.Â
However, Chunn's success was not without hardship and obstacles. After breaking through tackles and rushing for 29 yards to set up an easy touchdown for the Trojans in the third quarter against Charleston Southern in 2015, a hard hit made Chunn's future on the field looming unknown. A shattered collarbone in just the second game of the season put Chunn's football career on hold. After surgeries, metal plates in his body and a strenuous rehab process, Chunn questioned his faith and love for the game.Â
"It happened the second game of the season," Chunn said. "So I worked all summer and fall camp to have my collar bone broken that quickly. I started questioning why this was happening and my love for the game. It broke me down to where I was contemplating if I really loved football and if I wanted to come back."
With the help of a great athletic training team, his best friend and teammate Josh Anderson, his girlfriend Morgan and a supportive family on and off the field, Chunn worked hard to return to the field where he recorded a season unprecedented by any other running back in Troy history.
"Josh Anderson was in my head the whole time," Chunn said. "Without him, I don't think I would have been able to come back like I did. I was in the weight room all the time getting my weight down and got back to feeling great."
The Gurley, Ala., native was two years into his time as a Trojan when head coach Neal Brown and his staff took over. Chunn understood that they were here to turn the program around and he was more than ready to accept that challenge. For his first few seasons, Chunn lived in star running back Brandon Burks' shadow, but his patience and perseverance paid off. As soon as the ball was in Chunn's hands he was ready to break loose.Â
"Burks was a great mentor to me. He's a cool guy and just kept me calm and laughing on the sidelines," Chunn said. "Whenever he would get a long run, he knew that I would be coming in to finish the run off to try and score a touchdown. "He always helped me get prepared for those moments."
Another one of Chunn's biggest advocates on the sideline is coach Sean Reagan. Because of Coach Reagan's experience with coaching primarily quarterbacks, Chunn was hesitant about taking his advice as a running back. But after just a year under Coach Reagan's guidance, Chunn was able to change the way he played the game. Suddenly, all the small things added up to make a big difference.Â
"Coach Reagan taught me to focus on the details," Chunn said. "He showed me how to chase the hip of the center and how to get in line right. There was more to it than just running the routes. It took me a little while to realize that."Â
This year, Chunn plans to be an even bigger threat to the opposing defense. With his weight down and his athleticism up, MegaChunn looks to leave it all on the field in his encore season. What comes after Troy for Chunn is unknown, but we hope to be hearing "MegaChunn" chants on Sundays.Â
"I don't know how that nickname is going to play out after college, but for right now, I love it." Â
Taking his senior season game-by-game, moving the chains on each play and being the best teammate and mentor possible are the only goals for Chunn heading into his final year with the Trojans. Although, another year with over 1,000 yards rushing would be nice too. Â
Last season, Chunn plastered his name all over the Troy record books, number one all-time with 279 rushing attempts in 2016, second in Troy history averaging 99.1 yards per game last season, fifth all-time with 525 rushing attempts and number one with 37 career rushing touchdowns, just to name a few. He hopes to rush over 1,000 yards again and break his own records in 2017.Â
However, Chunn's success was not without hardship and obstacles. After breaking through tackles and rushing for 29 yards to set up an easy touchdown for the Trojans in the third quarter against Charleston Southern in 2015, a hard hit made Chunn's future on the field looming unknown. A shattered collarbone in just the second game of the season put Chunn's football career on hold. After surgeries, metal plates in his body and a strenuous rehab process, Chunn questioned his faith and love for the game.Â
"It happened the second game of the season," Chunn said. "So I worked all summer and fall camp to have my collar bone broken that quickly. I started questioning why this was happening and my love for the game. It broke me down to where I was contemplating if I really loved football and if I wanted to come back."
With the help of a great athletic training team, his best friend and teammate Josh Anderson, his girlfriend Morgan and a supportive family on and off the field, Chunn worked hard to return to the field where he recorded a season unprecedented by any other running back in Troy history.
"Josh Anderson was in my head the whole time," Chunn said. "Without him, I don't think I would have been able to come back like I did. I was in the weight room all the time getting my weight down and got back to feeling great."
The Gurley, Ala., native was two years into his time as a Trojan when head coach Neal Brown and his staff took over. Chunn understood that they were here to turn the program around and he was more than ready to accept that challenge. For his first few seasons, Chunn lived in star running back Brandon Burks' shadow, but his patience and perseverance paid off. As soon as the ball was in Chunn's hands he was ready to break loose.Â
"Burks was a great mentor to me. He's a cool guy and just kept me calm and laughing on the sidelines," Chunn said. "Whenever he would get a long run, he knew that I would be coming in to finish the run off to try and score a touchdown. "He always helped me get prepared for those moments."
Another one of Chunn's biggest advocates on the sideline is coach Sean Reagan. Because of Coach Reagan's experience with coaching primarily quarterbacks, Chunn was hesitant about taking his advice as a running back. But after just a year under Coach Reagan's guidance, Chunn was able to change the way he played the game. Suddenly, all the small things added up to make a big difference.Â
"Coach Reagan taught me to focus on the details," Chunn said. "He showed me how to chase the hip of the center and how to get in line right. There was more to it than just running the routes. It took me a little while to realize that."Â
This year, Chunn plans to be an even bigger threat to the opposing defense. With his weight down and his athleticism up, MegaChunn looks to leave it all on the field in his encore season. What comes after Troy for Chunn is unknown, but we hope to be hearing "MegaChunn" chants on Sundays.Â
"I don't know how that nickname is going to play out after college, but for right now, I love it." Â
Taking his senior season game-by-game, moving the chains on each play and being the best teammate and mentor possible are the only goals for Chunn heading into his final year with the Trojans. Although, another year with over 1,000 yards rushing would be nice too. Â
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