Former Clay High School grad and Curtis native Jordan Kovacs, who went from being a no-name walk-on to the starting strong safety for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team, earned honorable mention recognition from the media as the All-Big Ten offensive and defensive teams were announced Monday during the 2010 Big Ten Football Awards ceremony.  Both the conference coaches and media participate in the voting.

Michigan Sophomore safety Jordan Kovacs(Clay) prepares to tackle receiver Dane Sanzenbacher (Central Catholic). Press photo by Scott Grau

Kovacs finished the regular season as the leading tackler for the Wolverines recording 112 tackles including 59 solo take-downs.

In the annual border battle between Michigan and Ohio State played last Saturday in Columbus, Kovacs recorded 17 tackles (9 solo) and intercepted a Terrelle Pryor-to-DeVier Posey pass on the one-yard line on the last play of the first half.  He returned the interception 41 yards as time expired.

In the post-game interview, Kovacs stated, “I knew he was going to take a shot at the end zone and sure enough he did. I just broke on the ball. I thought that I might have a chance to return it [but] I just didn’t make it far enough.”

Michigan’s 37-7 loss to Ohio State, its longest losing streak to the Buckeyes in school history, was a bitter end for an otherwise standout performance for Kovacs. 

“They're a good football team,” Kovacs lamented.  “I'm sure they made their adjustments and we just didn’t play well in the second half or the second quarter. We just didn’t take advantage of our good field position at times.

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