May 7, 2012
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan fifth-year senior safety Jordan Kovacs (Curtice, Ohio/Clay) was named on Monday (May 7) as one of 42 football student-athletes on the ninth annual Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list.
Kovacs was a quarterfinalist for the award in 2011 after he earned Lott IMPACT Week One Player of the Week following the Wolverines' victory over Western Michigan. In that game, Kovacs had 10 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.
In 2011, Kovacs started 12 games and had 75 tackles -- eight for losses -- four sacks, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a Wolverines squad that finished with an 11-2 record and defeated Virginia Tech, 23-20, in overtime, in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The former walk-on has totaled 266 tackles -- 21 for losses -- five sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups in his career.
The IMPACT award, founded in 2004 and named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, recognizes college football's Defensive Player of the Year who best exemplifies integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity. It is the only award that recognizes both a player's athletic performance and personal character attributes.
The Big Ten leads the way with nine nominees. There are 18 linebackers, 13 defensive backs and 11 defensive linemen on the list.
Voting will take place throughout the season, and the ninth annual Lott Trophy dinner will be held on Dec. 9 at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif.
Media Contact: Justin Dickens (734) 763-4423
