At first glance, it might be tempting to slight Jordan Todd because of his stature. Unless that first glance came while the Interlake senior was on a football field.

Todd, who broke Matthias Wilson’s single-season state rushing record of 2,676 yards with an incredible 359 yards in the 2A state quarterfinals against Lynden to finish 2011 with 2,681 yards, has been dealing with the stigma that comes with being a 5-foot-7 running back throughout his prep career.

“I try my best to compete with everyone who is larger,” Todd said. “I’m never not going to try because someone is bigger than I am.”

Interlake coach Jason Rimkus has witnessed countless moments during his two seasons at the helm for the Saints to reinforce that assertion, including during this year’s game against Mount Si.

After redirecting his path down the Interlake sideline, Todd (as he is wont to do) eluded a pair of defenders before being wrapped up from behind by another.

“He still had ahold of Jordan’s jersey and I thought he was going to take him down,” Rimkus said. “But Jordan just kept those roadrunner feet going. He must have dragged the kid 10 or 15 yards.”

While breaking tackles and outrunning defenders to the end zone has become commonplace for Todd, it’s his willingness to play larger than his listed height and weight that have impressed his coaches and teammates the most.

Mount Si, which earned the third and final 3A playoff berth from the conference, also boasts Oregon State commit Josh Mitchell, widely considered one of the top lineman prospects in the state. On at least one occasion, the 5-foot-7, 170 pound Todd got an up-close look at Mitchell, who is listed at 6-foot-3, 273 pounds by Rivals.com.

As the Saints’ offensive line slanted the pass protection away from Mitchell’s side, there was only one player left standing between him and quarterback Kamana Adriano.

“He comes off the edge and you could just see Jordan say, ‘alright, whatever,” Rimkus said. “He just stuck his nose right in there. That was kind of a signature play of his for me.”

While Todd has developed into one of the top offensive players in the area on the field, he also became a leader away from the gridiron in the offseason.

“He really grew into being a leader,” Rimkus said. “He never came off like, ‘I’m the star, listen to me.”

After first taking a football field at age seven at the recommendation of his father, who played semi-pro ball in the area, Todd said he truly fell in love with the game during his sophomore year at Interlake. The past two seasons have only added to that passion and there is no longer any doubt what he wants out of his college experience.

“I want a good atmosphere,” Todd said. “And four more fun years playing football.”

While it’s easy to assume the state’s most prolific rushing total would come with a big-time football scholarship, the reality of Todd’s situation is slightly less glamorous.

Despite proving throughout his prep career he can carry the load against top-notch competition in the rugged 3A KingCo Conference, major Division-I programs rarely reach for a player without the ideal mix of size, speed and production.

Currently, Todd is weighing his options and remaining patient with a process that can quickly become frustrating.

The only scholarship offer he holds is from New Mexico Highlands University, a Division II school where former Interlake coach Sheldon Cross is on staff. Central Washington University has also expressed interest and Todd plans to visit both in January. Rimkus said he has also heard from Wayne State University, Navy, Eastern Washington and believes there is interest from Eastern Oregon, where former Saint J.T. Capers began his collegiate career this season.

For Todd, the most important factors are solid programs in his potential majors of business and physical education and the family atmosphere that he has become so accustomed to with Rimkus and the Interlake program.

“I don’t want to just say, ‘they gave me a scholarship, so I’m going to go there,” Todd said. “I want good academics, mainly.”

No matter where he ends up, Todd said his focus will be on continuing a work ethic that has gotten him this far in his career and most importantly, having fun playing the game he has grown with.

“I have a lot to prove,” Todd said. “I can’t take anything for granted, no matter what.”