By Nate Carey
The Daily Cardinal
To say that this is a tough time for the Wisconsin football team would be an understatement. The team is 0-3 in Big Ten play for the first time since 2002, and there doesn't seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel.
So during these troubling times on the gridiron, the need for fun and laughter off the field is imperative.
Hopefully I'm just trying to bring a little, I guess Texas boys call it 'Swagger,'"" sophomore strong safety Jay Valai said. ""But I just try to bring a little fun; life's too short to be all serious. You can have a little fun, but when it's time for business, it's time to go out there and work.""
During fall-training camp, Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema unleashed Valai on his own teammates, giving him a microphone and a camera. Valai did a series of one-on-one interviews for UW athletic communications called ""Man-to-Man,"" and it was there that he truly found his place with the Badgers.
""Most of them had fun with it, I had to call them out on some stuff that got them frustrated,"" he said. ""But it's fun going out there and just hanging around my teammates and joking around and being me.""
One of Valai's favorite teammates to harass is senior linebacker and team captain DeAndre Levy, who Valai has nicknamed ""Mustafa"" due to the long beard Levy has grown out in recent weeks.
""[You] always worry about Jay when he is in front of the camera or doing interviews, just because you don't know what he is going to say,"" UW defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks said .
Valai currently ranks fourth on the team in tackles with 24, and has forced two fumbles as well as a pass break up. In his first season starting at safety, Valai has been very consistent.
Listed at 5'9' and 197 lbs., Valai isn't the typical size for a strong safety. But his play has proven he can be physical, especially while tackling. Two weeks ago against Ohio State, Valai caused two fumbles, one of which was recovered by Wisconsin. It is his ability to deliver some vicious hits that the opposition has noticed.
""It is what it is, and you are going to have to see me one way or another,"" Valai said. ""There's nothing I like more than a fullback coming full speed at you, there's nothing like it. It's time to man-up, grab your cojones and get ready to go.""
Valai came out of Colleyville Heritage high school in Euless, Texas ranked among the top 60 cornerbacks in the nation according to Rivals.com. In 2005, his senior year, Valai registered 68 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks, and was named the team's co-defensive and special teams MVP.
Cooks recruited Valai out of high school, and knew right away that Wisconsin was getting a playmaker.
""The one thing that you notice about him is that he brings an edge, and I couldn't wait to get him out on the field,"" Cooks said. ""Ever since he has been on the field, he has brought that edge and it is contagious. People feed off that energy with the guy downfield that makes the big hit or brings the big play.""
Coming to UW with that amount of success, Valai did what many football athletes do: he redshirted. Last season, Valai saw the most action of his career in Wisconsin's 20-17 loss to Tennessee in the Outback Bowl, and it was his high level of play against the Volunteers that helped him win the starting strong safety job over junior incumbent Aubrey Pleasant.
""Just go out there and play, that's the main thing, coming out with the mentality not to lose,"" Valai said.
""Just come out there with an aggressive mentality will take you to far places both in and outside of football.""
It is that mentality that has carried Valai this far, and he hopes it will wear off on his teammates. And if not, Valai will probably have something to say about it.
