Sight Unseen for Jurkovic
Mirko Jurkovic Jr.'s journey to Athens has certainly been different than
most.
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According to the newest Bulldog in the Class of 2015, when the opportunity came
to join the Georgia program, there really wasn't any other choice that needed to
be made.
"When Ohio State didn't work out, the biggest player in this was my position coach at IMG (Spencer Hodges), I reached out to him first because at IMG I was blessed to
have so many connections, so I reached out to coaches, he reached out to coaches
and we both reached out to Georgia," Jurkovic said Monday in a telephone
interview with UGASports.com.
His story is certainly an interesting one.
Jurkovic originally signed with defending National Champion Ohio State in
February, but the Buckeyes denied him acceptance, ultimately resulting in the
6-foot-6, 276-pound offensive lineman asking for a chance to pursue other
opportunities.
"I didn't get accepted into school. That's all I know. I don't know what
happened behind the scenes, but they wanted me to go to prep school and come
back in January. But I wanted to play in the fall and I had the grades to get to
somewhere in the fall," Jurkovic said. "I didn't get accepted because of their
high academic standards so I decided to look elsewhere."
According to Jurkovic, the Buckeyes wanted him to attend prep school before
returning to Ohio State in January.
After receiving his release from Ohio State, Jurkovic turned to Notre Dame where
his late father lettered with the Fighting Irish from 1988-91.
But the Irish had other plans for him as well.
"They were the first school that I reached out to and they tried to get me in,
but they wanted me to Holy Cross route and go in January to Notre Dame," Jurkovic
and Indiana said they could take me, but once Georgia put on the hard
pressure, I just talked to Georgia."
Jurkovic had spoken to the Bulldog coaches before renewing acquaintances
following his release from OSU.
"I started talking to Georgia in December, which was about the time I was about
to commit to Ohio State. They wanted me to take a visit, but it was during the dead
period and I wanted to commit to Ohio State," Jurkovic explained. "So I had
already talked to Coach (Rob) Sale and I had talked to Coach (Mark) Richt
before, so I already had a relationship. All the coaches I talked to, they've
all been awesome; every single person I've talked about Georgia it's been
nothing but good things."
Jurkovic, who has yet to actually step foot on campus, said he will take what is
being called an official visit July 13 and 14.
"I'll either sign my papers this week or at that official and start going there
for training camp," said Jurkovic, who added Bulldog fans should not worry about
that fact it's his first to the Classic City.
He knows he'll feel right at home.
"I wanted to get this (picking a school) out of the way. I wanted to get it out
of the way. I know I'm going to love Athens," he said. "I talked to my uncle
(former NFL player John Jurkovic), he talked about this whole thing; he said
you're going to love it."
Conversations with future teammate Sage Hardin also has him convinced he will
enjoy the Classic City.
Richt gave him word earlier Monday around 6:00 p.m. ET that he would in fact be accepted into
school. Jurkovic had previously told the coaches he would commit to the Bulldogs
as soon as they could get him into school. Once Richt delivered the good news,
Jurkovic immediately announced his destination on Twitter.
"I've been talking to them for the past few weeks," said Jurkovic, who will start
out at tackle for the Bulldogs.
"I've played right tackle, but never left," Jurkovic said. "But wherever they
want me is fine."