TraShawn Gordon has a well-known family name.
Now the cousin of Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon and former North Chicago standout Vondarious Gordon wants to stake his claim to that name on the field.
A relatively unknown senior running back, TraShawn Gordon is set to become the focal point of Waukegan’s offense after transferring from Bradford, Melvin Gordon’s high school in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“I’m super excited for the season to start and have a chance to show what I can do,” Gordon said. “I’m ready to show off my love for the game.
“I’m not worried at all about expectations because of my name. I’m trying to make a name for myself. I know what I can do. (My cousins) have helped show me what to do.”
Gordon said he’s close with both, but football schedules and otherwise busy lives tend to limit opportunities to talk in person. He said he has attended one of Melvin Gordon’s NFL games.
“I’ve learned from (Melvin) to work hard every day and don’t take any days off,” TraShawn Gordon said. “I’m a totally different player than him. I have to just trust my abilities. It’s super motivating to see his success. He’s a role model. I’m striving to be better every day.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound Gordon said he understands the challenge ahead of him. He wants to add to his family’s legacy and better his chances of getting a Division I scholarship.
Vondarious Gordon, who spent a season at Northern Illinois, said he hasn’t seen his younger cousin play in a game in person but knows TraShawn Gordon can benefit from his experience handling the pressure that comes with their name.
“Some advice I would give my cousin for his senior year is to just have fun with football because this is really our last year to enjoy it as a kid before it really becomes a business,” Vondarious Gordon said. “I’ve seen his work ethic when he’s training. His intensity and drive is like no other.”
Waukegan first-year coach Dwayne Springs agrees. He said TraShawn Gordon is a welcome addition to the program, which hasn’t won a game since 2016 and begins the season at home against North Chicago on Aug. 28. Gordon has led drills and encouraged teammates.
“TraShawn has the chance to be one of the best running backs in the state,” Springs said. “He’s that kind of special. He’s on the radar of a lot of high-level schools. I went to school with his uncle and aunts, and it’s a mix of Waukegan, Zion and Kenosha. We’re happy to have him for this year. He’s the most coachable kid with that level of talent. Some kids with that talent can be super arrogant or hard to manage.
“He looks so much like (Melvin) and runs like his cousin. But it’s hard to compare. He’s strong and lifts more than most linemen but can run with the fastest guys.”
Gordon attended camps at Illinois, Northern Illinois and Ohio this summer.
“Grades are a big factor for me,” he said. “I feel like it’s opened up a lot of doors. I know the first couple of games are super important for me to show what I can do as a player and leader.”
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Team: Waukegan.
Spring record: 0-6.
Offensive leaders: Amariah Brown, junior, WR/RB; Latrell Brown, senior, WR/QB; TraShawn Gordon, senior, RB; Leonardo Limon-Prado, senior, OL.
Defensive leaders: Demarion Cole, senior, LB; Bryan Lopez, junior, LB; Jonathan Meza, junior, DL.
Playoff history: 4 appearances; most recently lost 40-6 to Maine South in the 2001 Class 8A first round.
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.