When Marcus Ray earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 1997, he became the fourth U-M safety in the 1990s to garner the accolade and the 13th since 1970. Since Ray departed in 1998, there have been only two first-team selections in the last 13 years and none since 2004. Jordan Kovacs could end that drought ...



"It's really been at least a decade since we've had a standout back there," said 1978 All-Big Ten first-team safety Mike Harden, who has kept a watchful eye on the Wolverines following an 11-year NFL career. "I don't know if it's been recruiting misses or coaching or other factors, but it's really surprising because that used to be a mainstay of the Michigan defense - having that guy that set the tone defensively, gave the defense its personality.




"You expected that guy to be a playmaker, whether taking off someone's head off or coming up with a critical interception. You just expected a Michigan safety to be outstanding year after year."






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