Learning to love Jordan Kovacs
I just watched Countdown to Kickoff #23 and am ready to shed my anti-walk on bias; at least when it comes to Kovacs. He is a solid kid who loves Michigan and has the attitude and fortitude that we want to see in all Wolverines. It is rare for a true walk on to make an impact and many of us withheld our seal of approval in hopes that a scholarship player with stronger measurables would emerge. It wasn't enough that he made a zillion tackles (and barely missed any) including 17 against MSU. It wasn't enough that he played hard every down and was almost always in the right position. All we could see was that he was smoked by that Indiana running back and that he could not possibly be great because of his status.
I hereby resign from that club and declare myself to be a Jordan Kovacs fan. May he SPUR us to glorious defensive heights.
GO BLUE!
August 12th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
AFAIK, he's playing Bandit.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:44 AM ^
Also I see him fitting better at SPUR because as best as I can tell the Spur has less deep responsibility.......... but I am 100% behind him wherever he may line up.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
may he be a bandit of the two armed variety that makes a living robbing and plundering yardage from opposing offenses.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:18 AM ^
John L. Smith's defense. Brrrrr....
August 12th, 2010 at 1:27 PM ^
I am reminded of John L. Smith. And I laugh knowingly.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
Was Jordan a walk-on that had offers from MAC level schools that he turned down? I couldn't find any real history on Rivals...
August 12th, 2010 at 10:39 AM ^
offer to be a preferred walk-on at Toledo
August 12th, 2010 at 10:48 AM ^
The guy works his ass off, has cemented himself as a defensive starter at a major Div. 1 school and he loves Michigan. He has my respect.
August 12th, 2010 at 3:16 PM ^
And he is the best form tackler on the team. Kid brings all the wood he has on every hit.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
That's reason enough to love him.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
Gotta love a defensive player that is as tough as nails and NEVER SLEEPS!!!
August 12th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
He is a walk-on freshman who worked his ass off of a serious knee injury to play as a RS freshman. I think the only proper attitude to have towards him until he does something to not deserve it is one of tremendous respect.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:20 PM ^
Agreed. Think about it: This kid went out and had knee surgery, so he could try to walk on again. The guy's work ethic, determination, attitude, and, frankly, balls, are incredibly admirable and somewhat inspiring on a personal level. And also the fact that it seems, through sheer force of will, he has turned himself into a starter at the University of Michigan, is incredible.
August 12th, 2010 at 2:30 PM ^
... that us agreeing thing....
August 12th, 2010 at 10:40 AM ^
A guy is given a chance and understands that it is not a gift. He works hard and is rewarded for his efforts.
Kudos also to Rodriguez and his staff for encouraging walk ons.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:42 AM ^
Rudy who?
August 12th, 2010 at 10:49 AM ^
It's still a pretty good movie.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:50 AM ^
Jordan would kick Rudy's ASS!!!!
August 12th, 2010 at 10:53 AM ^
Yes. Fuck Rudy.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^
Nice!... do I smell an MGOSHIRT somewhere in the future?
August 12th, 2010 at 12:58 PM ^
needs to happen!
August 12th, 2010 at 10:46 AM ^
tough kids who play hard like Kovacs does. I trust him versus the run and I trust the coaches not to put him in situations where he's covering 4.4 burners. Plus, he flat out makes plays on NCAA 2011.
The vid:
August 12th, 2010 at 10:51 AM ^
Agree. He is a tackling maching in real life and the game too (although I'll admit I benched him for Vlad the Impaler). But I hope beyond hope that his responsibilities are kept to stopping the run and covering the flats. He can do those things. Coming over from a deep position to stop a fly pattern.....not so much (at least last year).
August 12th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
Yes, he made some bad plays last year but as people said above he is a walk-on with a rebuilt knee. If no scholarship players are good enough to take his spot, then I see no valid reason to give him anything but love. He is a very solid player and probably my favorite guy on the team right now.
I think we need to dub him the JoKer from now on, given his ability to make runningbacks look silly. Any takers?
August 12th, 2010 at 2:58 PM ^
This is going to be an extremely obscure, uber-nerds only reference, but in my head I always call him Rorschach.
August 12th, 2010 at 3:20 PM ^
Is that the dude from the Watchmen? How come you call him that?
August 14th, 2010 at 2:18 AM ^
In Watchmen, when Rorschach gets psychoanalyzed it turns out his real name is Walter Kovacs. Happened to read that graphic novel right before the start of last season.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:52 AM ^
The thing about Jordan is he didn't have a scholarship or even the promise of ever getting one. He worked his ass off to get where he is. Hell I live in Toledo and never heard a word about him in high school. Now he has worked his way into the starting line up. Maybe JT Turner should have been hanging out with him over the summer.
August 12th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
...he's earned a scholarship by his hard work and dedication. So I say we should can the walk on stuff. Why should anyone care about his pedigree except to make it into a cool story about achievement?
August 12th, 2010 at 10:56 AM ^
Welcome!
I have to ask... why is it you had to "learn to love" a guy who grew up loving Michigan, tried walking on, didn't make the team because he had to have his knee rebuilt, rehabbed on his own time/dime so he could try walking on again, made the team, became a freshman starter and freshman all-American, is a hard-worker, is an intelligent player who gets the most out of his body/talent...?
August 12th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
August 12th, 2010 at 11:07 AM ^
Such an awesome play, just love the way he flew in there and caused hell. Love the way Kovacs works his ass off to be a force on this defense, shows the heart and love for the game this kid has. Definitely one of my favorite players to watch on this team.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:19 AM ^
i had totally forgot about that play
August 12th, 2010 at 3:26 PM ^
I think I just turned gay for Jordan Kovacs.
His complete disregard for the safety of MSU players is breathtaking.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:05 AM ^
Any player that plays for Michigan doesn't have to earn my respect. As long as their playing for Michigan I'm going to cheer for them no matter what. Walk-on or 5 star.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:06 AM ^
Kovacs wasn't the starter just because there was nobody else when he played in the box last year. He was downright good when he was in the right position.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
He's only a RS sophomore. There are a lot of 5*'s that will make the same mistakes as underclassmen.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:14 AM ^
The guy wakes up in the morning to work his ass off. I love that.
Some kids just don't develop enough by the time they are 17 to get D-1 attention. Kovacs is probably 20 now, kept developing, kept working, and I think he's going to be a nice presence for 3 more years. He will never be the fastest, strongest guy on the team, but he makes up for it in so many ways.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:21 AM ^
Per bio class experience, he's also a really smart guy. It would seem he's pretty much all-around good to have on the team since he manages everything so well.
That said, some guys are banking on going to the NFL and don't really care about school and it's hard to fault them for that, but it does make you appreciate someone like Kovacs who goes through every hoop the very best he can (even though he may not be completely comparable because he probably doesn't have an NFL future, all due respect).
August 12th, 2010 at 11:20 AM ^
You have been of the mind that you don't like walk-ons????? Do I have to remind you that Sheridan was a walk-on????? Um ..... enough said. LOL. I love anybody that plays for Michigan, but he made it very easy to love him with his performance last year.
August 12th, 2010 at 11:33 AM ^
How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Walk On
August 12th, 2010 at 12:28 PM ^
Not expecting a Dr. Strangelove reference here! +1 for that sir!
August 12th, 2010 at 12:09 PM ^
Is it just me or does he look like Val Kilmer?
August 12th, 2010 at 1:34 PM ^
Someone page Barwis, and let Coach Rodriguez know that the S&C staff won't be available for a while. They are needed elsewhere.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:59 PM ^
That video really made me like this kid, and I feel kind of guilty for badmouthing him last season.
He looks like definate captain material come his senior year.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:12 PM ^
Once I saw him play against MSU, I was like, who cares if he got smoked by that indiana RB, I freaking love this guy.
August 12th, 2010 at 1:15 PM ^
It's like, "Hold on a minute. I'm coming to murder you. Just let me adjust my gloves first."
August 12th, 2010 at 1:39 PM ^
Paging Six-Zero!