This post is sponsored by RO*TEL.
It's time for our second and final post sponsored by RO*TEL celebrating the unsung stars of the season so far. Yesterday we lauded Michigan's top unsung offensive player, Michael Shaw, and today we're celebrating Michigan's unsung defensive hero of the season so far. Be sure to check out RO*TEL's "Feed Their Game Face" sweepstakes, in which you can win a full year's worth of groceries and a trip for two to any 2011 college football game (Including Bowl Games). You can register for the sweepstakes at http://www.feedtheirgameface.com/.
To promote the sweepstakes, RO*TEL asked us to write two posts about players who have performed exceptionally well for Michigan this season. Yesterday, we recognized Michael Shaw. Follow us after the jump for today's honoree.
When you think about all the problems with Michigan's defense heading into the season, especially in the secondary, it's hard not to pick Jordan Kovacs as Michigan's unsung defensive hero of the season so far. Kovacs is tied for second on the team with 35 tackles in just 4 games. He's forced and recovered a fumble, grabbed a pick, and registered 2.5 TFL on the season so far. More importantly, Kovacs has brought some stability to Michigan's secondary in run defense. Even though he's tied for the team lead, Kovacs leads the team in solo tackles with 24. Not bad for a kid seemingly everyone wanted to replace, including yours truly, before the season began.
Maybe it's in his blood, but Kovacs seems like he was destined to play a starrin role for the Wolverines. Jordan's father was a walkon for Michigan in the early 80's at, you guessed it, defensive back. Prior to comign to Michigan Kovacs had plenty of offers to walk on as a preferred walk on at severl FBS level schools. He let all of those go for the chance to play for Michigan. And man are we happy he did.
Ever since taking over the free safety position from Mike Williams, Kovacs has shown he not only belongs at this level, but excels. Last season Kovacs was named a Freshman All-American, and this season he's proving to be one of the best run stopping safeties in all of the Big Ten. Kovacs won't be a superstar in coverage, but he's definitely improved in that area and continues to improve as he grows in his knowledge of the defensive scheme. But right now he's Michigan's best run defender and the man bringing stability to Michigan's back seven. And for that, he's our unsung hero of the season so far.
Again, please register for the sweepstakes at www.feedtheirgameface.com. Thanks to RO*TEL for supporting our work at Maize n Brew.