Though she’s already taken that walk before, Sunday’s march out to center court at Humphrey Coliseum will be even more difficult for Jerkaila Jordan.

Jordan participated in last season’s Senior Day at the Hump with the option to return for another year still weighing heavily on her mind. Ultimately, the all-time Mississippi State great decided to take one final ride in Starkville. Thursday brings finality to her journey in maroon and white.

“It’s a unique career because she’s going to be here for four years, and she played another year somewhere else,” coach Sam Purcell said. “Why it’s special to me is because of the time and age of today’s climate. I came in as a first-time head coach, and her career was in my hands. At that point, she had to make a decision—she had to trust me to stick with me.”

In a time of unrest on rosters across the country, Jordan has been a constant for the Bulldogs for four years. She’s played for three different head coaches and led a vastly different roster every single year in Starkville, but she never left her post.

Now, Jordan is in the final stretch of her college career, and reflections are coming fast.

New Orleans native finds perfect fit in Starkville

John Curtis Christian has housed some of the best players in the country across multiple sports over the years, and Jordan can count herself among them.

It was there that she became the Gatorade Player of the Year in Louisiana and was named Miss Basketball after averaging 23.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game her senior year, leading her team to four straight state titles. Her performance earned her a five-star ranking by ESPNW and significant college interest, but Jordan decided to stay home and play for Tulane.

In her first year with the Green Wave, Jordan was an immediate star. She was named First-Team All-AAC and won Freshman of the Week honors seven times after averaging 16.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. After the season, Jordan was ready for a new home, and MSU’s coach Nikki McCray-Penson was among the first to call.

Jordan fell in love with what Mississippi State had to offer and connected immediately with McCray-Penson, so she became a Bulldog.

A few short months after she signed on—and just weeks before the season began—McCray-Penson stepped down as head coach. Suddenly, Jordan was playing for Doug Novak in an unfamiliar setting. The abrupt change made her question whether she had made the right decision.

“It was a weird experience, especially coming from the portal. I wondered if I chose wrong. There were a bunch of questions in my head, but I had faith,” Jordan said. “It was rough. I vividly remember the crowds being thin, and we would lose five or six games in a row, but the crowd would still stand up and give us an ovation.”

State started the season with 13 players, but by the end, Novak had only seven available. Despite the challenges, the players fought hard and found moments of success. At one point, the Bulldogs were 6-5 in SEC play, but the lack of depth and size eventually took a toll, and they finished 15-14 overall and 6-10 in the SEC.

Jordan was a bright spot for the program’s future, averaging 13.6 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. She played guard, forward, and even center, showcasing her versatility. Fans began to realize that the future was bright.

As the season concluded, Director of Athletics John Cohen launched an official coaching search, bypassing interim head coach Novak. He ultimately landed on Purcell, and once again, Jordan had a decision to make.

Jordan trusts Purcell’s vision

Purcell arrived in Starkville as a longtime assistant, transitioning into his new role as head coach in the toughest conference in America.

Jordan was one of a handful of players who chose to stay and see it through. Purcell brought in additional talent, which led to Jordan’s numbers dipping slightly in year two, but her impact remained significant.

“Today’s key to success is retention—making sure players feel valued and have a great experience. For her to stay with me as one of my top players for all three years is a statement I’m forever grateful for and proud of,” Purcell said. “We’ve had a lot of great moments with her. We went to amusement parks in Orlando, she came over to my house for tough conversations—those are moments I’ll never forget in my career.”

As a sophomore, Jordan averaged 11.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, and Mississippi State began its climb back to prominence. After two straight seasons without postseason play, the Bulldogs finished 22-11 overall and 9-7 in conference play, putting themselves back into the NCAA Tournament discussion.

The Bulldogs entered the postseason as part of the First Four, facing Illinois in South Bend, Indiana. They dominated the Illini 70-56 to advance to the first round, where they rolled past a hot-shooting Creighton team, 81-66, to reach the second round against No. 3 seed Notre Dame.

After those wins, Jordan was the player who placed the team’s sticker on the giant bracket in the locker room, marking State’s advancement. Purcell still keeps that picture in his office as a reminder of that special moment—one that helped lay the program’s foundation.

Leaving a legacy

Heading into Sunday’s 2 p.m. matchup against Texas A&M, Jordan has already secured her place in Mississippi State history. She ranks second in school history in steals (256), fifth in points (1,793), sixth in field goals made and attempted (676-1,540) and three-pointers made (169), and seventh in blocked shots (90).

But for Jordan, winning has always been more important than individual accolades. Her goal before her time in Starkville ends? Another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Mississippi State (18-9, 5-8 SEC) likely needs to win a couple more games to lock in a spot, and Jordan believes her team has the right mindset. As a leader, she sets the tone—a role she has embraced since she arrived.

“I stayed the course and trusted Sam. My first year here, he brought me to the NCAA Tournament when I had never been. I trusted him with everything I had,” Jordan said. “Getting back to that feeling and going with this group would be something I’ll never forget. We have three games left, and we know we can’t afford any more bad losses.

“I’ve had cameras in my face for the selection show, and we weren’t called. That’s a feeling I don’t want to go through again, so we have to understand that the little things matter.”

Now in the midst of arguably her best season as a Bulldog, Jordan will leave Starkville decorated. She hopes to take her talents to the WNBA next year and eventually move to Houston, Texas, to become a police officer.

Her legacy in life is still being written, but she has already stamped her mark on Mississippi State. More than just wins and losses, she hopes fans remember her as someone who bled the school’s beloved colors and gave everything for the name on the front of her jersey.

“The memory I want people to have is that I was a relentless player who gave everything to Mississippi State,” Jordan said. “I could have easily taken the easy way out, but there was just something about this program and this fanbase that I couldn’t leave. I went through so much with this school, I thought, ‘Why leave?’

“I would sum it up as a rollercoaster ride—getting to the very top, experiencing the drops and surprises, the blood, sweat, and tears. I’ve seen it all and been through it all. And if I had to do it again, I would.”