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As the Michigan Wolverines wrap up the football season, so does starting safety Jordan Kovacs.
The Curtice native has been a leader for the Wolverine defense, compiling 64 tackles along with an interception. He has been named honorable mention All-Big Ten by media.
Kovacs was named as one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding football player in America that began his career as a walk-on. He was named to Phil Steele's Midseason All-Big Ten second team and named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watch list.
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Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs (right) goes head to head
with an Ohio State blocker in the Wolverine's Big Ten victory
at Michigan Stadium. (Press phot by Scott Grau) |
Kovacs started 11 games, had 45 solo tackles, 19 assists, eight stops for losses (48 yards), four sacks (36 yards), two forced fumbles, one brush-up, one quarterback-hurry, and one fumble recovered. His sack and forced fumble was returned for a touchdown by Brandon Herron against Western Michigan.
The Wolverine’s defense ranked sixth in the NCAA in scoring defense and 14th in total defense.
For his career, Kovacs has 255 tackles, 21 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, four interceptions, five forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
For Kovacs, the resurgence of one of the most storied football programs had a lot to do with first-year coach Brady Hoke, Big Ten Coach of the Year.
“The atmosphere changed the first day of practice. He said we were going to be a physical team because that is what the Big Ten is about. He also stressed about playing downhill and the team really took to this mentality,” says Kovacs.
Kovacs is a junior and is leading the 10-2 Wolverines to the Sugar Bowl to play Virginia Tech. The Big Ten has been less than impressive in bowl games the past couple of seasons. Kovacs realizes this and admits that it would be a big win for not only the Wolverines but also for the conference.
“This would be a huge win for us. No hiding that the Big Ten has struggled in bowl games. We are very excited to play Virginia Tech. It will be an exciting bowl game,” says Kovacs.
The Wolverines are coming off a big win versus their rival Ohio State. This is the first time in seven years that Michigan beat the Buckeyes. While this was a big win for the university, Kovacs is not getting caught up in the emotions of a win over a rival.
“The win against Ohio was big. We have been craving it for several years. More importantly, finishing well down the stretch was huge for the team. We take a lot of pride in finishing. We put together a couple of complete games against Illinois and Nebraska and then finishing in style with beating Ohio,” says Kovacs.
Kovacs is one of 20 Michigan players who hail from Ohio. Senior tight end Kevin Koger (Whitmer) and Kovacs share similar sentiments and experiences with being Michigan football players with Ohio backgrounds.
Both have been told a familiar line from friends: that they are rooting personally for their Wolverine pal to do well, but they wanted Ohio State to win the game.
Kovacs, who snagged an interception and had a 41-yard return last year against Ohio State, quickly realized that his friend's loyalty to him seemed to disappear.
"I asked my friend, who was at the game, if he cheered when I got the pick, and he told me he didn't think it was a good idea to cheer for me because he was sitting in the Ohio State section," Kovacs said, with a laugh. "So it goes to show you, he's had to stay with his Ohio State loyalty."
Success has not always been easy for Kovacs. He has suffered a reoccurring knee injury since his days at Clay High.
“It’s been tough. It has been operated on a couple of times. The toughest part is feeling like I could play but there was something wrong and the team would not let me play. It was a roller coaster ride of emotions. I would not trade it for anything though. Those injuries made me what I am today,” says Kovacs.
He sat on the sideline when the team played Purdue this season and being a walk -on the knee injuries have made playing for the team seem even more improbable.
While growing up in the Toledo area, where most of the college football fans are split between Michigan and Ohio State, Kovacs never had a doubt in his mind where he was to play.
“It was easy. I grew up a diehard Michigan fan. My dad played under Bo Schemblecher. My allegiance is to maize and blue. I always say it was the best decision that my dad ever made for me,” says Kovacs.
Toledo is also known for its blue collar work ethic, which helped Kovacs on the playing field.
“Ohio is a bunch of blue collar workers. My mentality comes from Toledo. It taught to me work hard for what you want and that is the motto I try to play by,” says Kovacs.
While still one more game to go in this season, Kovacs is excited about the bright future for both him and the Wolverines.
“After this bowl game I will have the opportunity to heal up a little bit. It is setting in that I have only got a year and one game left in my college career. I look forward to next season — it should be a great season,” says Kovacs.
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