In order to stick in the NFL, some players have to be willing to do all the dirty work on special teams. One prospect in the 2020 NFL draft class who is used to working his way up the football ladder the hard way? Michigan linebacker Jordan Glasgow.
A former walk-on and special teams ace-turned starting linebacker, Glasgow recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his unique journey as part of a football family, why he’s not bothered by his NFL Scouting Combine snub, and why an NFL team should take a chance on him in this year’s draft.
JM: You grew up in a football family. Your brother, Ryan, plays for the Cincinnati Bengals. Your brother, Graham, plays for the Detroit Lions. What was life like growing up in that household?
JG: It was interesting. My oldest brother, Graham, who plays for the Lions didn’t start playing football seriously until high school. Ryan started playing seriously in the sixth grade and he plays for the Bengals now. I was about three years younger than Ryan, and I started playing around the third grade. As soon as he started playing seriously, I wanted to play, as well. I wanted to follow him around. I wanted to do everything my brothers were doing. I started playing at a much younger age than him.
Graham didn’t really see a future with football until much later in high school. We were always very competitive but we were just a sports household in general. I wouldn’t even say that we were a football household. We were big on all sports.
JM: You had a pretty big season as a fifth-year senior. You had 89 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks. What is it about your game that lead to such production?
JG: I think that I’m a smart player. I study a lot of film and I work hard at understanding our defense and understanding what we’re going up against. I spend a lot of time studying the opposing offense. That allows me to play loose and fast.
JM: You were a combine snub, but your brothers have similar success stories. They’re both playing in the NFL, and their paths didn’t come without adversity. What does that do to your motivation?
JG: Not getting invited to the combine didn’t really deter me or put me down in any way, shape or form. Both of my brothers and I were walk-ons at the University of Michigan. You don’t see that every day. We’ve been counted out at every level and at every step of the way. It’s nothing new to us. What I’ve been told is that 18 teams have to vote “yes” for you to get a combine invite. Maybe there are 17 teams that are interested in me. You just never know.
There may be 17 teams that see value in me. I’m gonna do my best to show that value at my pro day. If a team decides to invest in me, I’m gonna come in and work my butt off.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing the linebacker position?
JG: I love being in the thick of it. You’re close to the line of scrimmage and closer to the action. You have to be smart. You have to process things quickly. You get tangled up, you get to engage with the offensive linemen. You have to be able to shed a block. You have to be tough and play fast. You’re playing in the trenches a little, you’re playing in coverage. You get your hands dirty. I love it.
JM: Why should a team use one of their draft picks on Jordan Glasgow?
JG: I think that no matter what team I get chosen by, I’m gonna come in there and be one of the hardest workers in the locker room. I’m gonna make the most of my opportunity from day one. I’m a team-first kinda guy. No matter what you think you’re getting in me, I have the pedigree to develop and become whatever you need me to be. I’ve played three different positions at the highest level of college football. I have some versatility to show at the next level as well. I will work as hard as I can until I morph into what you need me to be.
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