Quarterback, Jordan Ta'amu

Mad Props host Chris Schnabel sits down with Jordan Ta’amu — quarterback for the DC Defenders and former NFL QB — for a fun, competitive, and behind-the-scenes conversation that blends football, friendship, and everything in-between. From Hawaii to Ole Miss (SEC) to the pros, Jordan breaks down his journey, his mindset, and what it’s like navigating pro opportunities across leagues — plus stories from the road, gaming battles, and the real competitive edge that fueled a championship run. Jordan Ta’amu: Jordan Ta’amu is a quarterback from O‘ahu, Hawaii, who rose from junior college (New Mexico Military Institute) to Ole Miss, where he became a productive SEC starter and set program marks. He later earned NFL opportunities (including time with the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs) and became a standout in spring football, leading the DC Defenders and building a reputation as a dynamic playmaker and leader. Subscribe for weekly interviews with athletes, creators, entertainers, and industry leaders. Follow Jordan Ta’amu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordan_taamu10 Mad Props Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madpropod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@madpropod Chris Schnabel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisschnabel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chris.schnabel Episode Produced by Chris Schnabel Episode Edited by Chris Schnabel Mad Props is a Schnabel Studios Production Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Jordan Ta’amu joins Mad Props + “we compete over EVERYTHING” 02:11 – Friendship + DC Defenders season connection 03:09 – Super Smash Brothers rivalry (and the bus battles) 06:28 – “Olympic day” competitions: hoops, bowling, air hockey, more 07:34 – From Hawaii to Ole Miss: the recruiting journey 09:14 – Junior college at New Mexico Military Institute (military rules + full ride) 11:13 – Committing to Ole Miss + stepping in after injury 13:56 – NCAA eligibility frustrations + rule changes 16:47 – Draft process: combine medicals + torn ACL discovery 20:07 – Texans → XFL opportunity + COVID shutting everything down 23:54 – Sports during COVID + getting the call to the Chiefs 25:27 – NFL COVID era + unexpected attention and pressure 31:28 – Favorite games: Mortal Kombat + arcade competitiveness 36:14 – Video Game Museum + Dallas spots to compete 38:15 – Baseball background + how it shaped his QB game 44:51 – Basketball rematch challenge + competitive mentality 48:21 – Offseason life in Nashville: training athletes + teaching classes 50:26 – Building QB camps + turning experience into a program 55:48 – The “Smash before the championship” story + title run 57:28 – Outro + where to follow Jordan and Mad Props