Jordan Glasgow understands family tradition like few others.
He followed older brothers Graham and Ryan to Marmion and then the University of Michigan, playing football at a very high level at both schools.
But if he’s going to reach his next goal — playing in the NFL — Jordan Glasgow knows he has to continue to follow his own path.
“I saw my brothers both make it at Michigan, and although both of them played much earlier than I did, I saw what could be a chance,” Glasgow said. “I always felt if I had the opportunity, I could make an impact.”
A fifth-year inside linebacker, Glasgow did just that. He finished second on the team in tackles this past season as a full-time starter for the first time.
More importantly, he stood out on special teams. He saw limited action, mostly in the secondary, before this season.
All three brothers started out in Ann Arbor as preferred walk-ons.
Graham Glasgow, 27, is a 6-foot-6, 308-pound offensive lineman. He was drafted in the third round by the Detroit Lions. Last month, as a free agent, he signed a four-year contract with the Denver Broncos worth a reported $44 million.
Ryan Glasgow, 26, is a 6-3, 302-pound defensive tackle. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals and had a strong rookie year in 2017, but his last two seasons were cut short by ACL injuries to his right knee.
Jordan Glasgow, 23, is a 6-1, 228-pound linebacker. He would be happy to be taken in the fourth round or beyond at this weekend’s NFL draft.
“I’m hoping I get picked on the third day,” Glasgow said. “If I don’t and end up as an undrafted free agent, I realize the most important part is making the team.
“And from the stuff I’ve heard from NFL teams, my special teams play will be just as important.”
An incredible work ethic finally earned Glasgow playing time at Michigan and will be equally important in the months to come.
A Butkus Award semifinalist this season, Glasgow finished with 89 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks along with a fumble recovery and blocked punt.
Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown also served as Glasgow’s position coach.
“Going into spring of his senior year, I was trying to get us a little faster in the front seven so we put him at ‘Will’ linebacker,” Brown said. “He got up to 225-227 pounds but had the foot speed to handle running backs and had a really good year.
“He would come into my office every day and want to go through the previous day’s practice film, wanting to know his progress. Every single day he was there. That’s not something every kid will do.”
Glasgow said it was something he had to do.
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“The first game of the season was my first game reps at the position,” Glasgow said. “If I wanted to improve, I had to learn as much as I could.”
He didn’t get invited to the NFL combine, and Michigan’s pro day to showcase players ended up being canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Glasgow did play in the East-West Shrine Game along with former Marmion teammate Luke Juriga, a Western Michigan center who also could be drafted.
“Two things stand out to me,” Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. “How did we not go further in the playoffs their senior year? We ran into a tough DeKalb team with several D-I players, too.
“Jordan and Luke had great work ethic. Once they crossed the white lines, they were so darn competitive.”
The Shrine game was a boost.
“It meant more film on me and I met with scouts from about 20 teams, getting my face out there,” said Glasgow, who’s hard not to notice with his trademark long hair extending from underneath his helmet.
“I recently had 8-10 inches taken off it but I can still put it up in a ponytail or bun. I hadn’t got a haircut since the year I left Marmion. It’s the wildest thing about me, but my parents and coaches were fine with it. My grandparents were the most upset.”