Career: A walk-on who played for Northwestern for three years ... Father was an outstanding player at Northwestern in the late 1960s.

2010: Played in eight games, mostly on special teams.

2009: Appeared in five games ... Played mostly special teams ... One tackle vs. Towson.

2008: Did not see action ... Named team's special teams practice player of the week on two occasions: vs. Iowa and Michigan.

High School: Two-time Chicago Catholic League (Blue) All-Conference strong safety ... Played running back and wide receiver on offense ... Earned academic all-state honors as a senior ... Totaled 252 career tackles, including 100 (60 solos, 40 assisted) his senior year ... Credited with a career-high 15 tackles (12 solos) against Fremd in the second round of the 2007 IHSA Class 8A state playoffs ... Also had two TFL's, a pass deflection and a fumble recovery vs. Fremd ... Led team in kickoff return average (21.8 ypr) ... Helped the Ramblers to a 9-4 record, which included a state playoff berth ... Played with fellow NU signee Brian Mulroe ... Also starred in lacrosse, earning all-conference and all-state honors his senior season ... Loyola Scholar, First Honors, Dumbach Scholar, National Society of High School Scholars ... Coached by John Holecek.

Personal: Born James Philip Kurzawski ... Son of Richard "Chico" and Amy Kurzawski ... Father, Richard, played football at Northwestern from 1966-69 ... Fourth-generation family member to attend NU ... Economics major.

The Kurzawski File

Q: Name five favorite songs (and artist) on your I-Pod:
A: 1. What I Almost Was (Eric Church) 2. Small Town USA (Justin Moore) 3. These Boots (Eric Church) 4. Atlantic City (The Band) 5. Crazy Days' (Adam Gregory)
Q: If you could dine with anyone from any period in history, who would it be?
A: Pat Tillman
Q: What is the greatest lesson in life that you have learned?
A: Everything happens for a reason.
Q: A song that best describes you?
A: The Permanent Rain by The Dangerous Summer
Q: Something people would be surprised to know about me is:
A: I'm a 10-handicap golfer
Q: My favorite place to visit is:
A:Coronado, Calif.
Q: Facebook or Twitter?
A: Facebook
Q: Which current NU football player is the biggest jokester on the team?
A: Marshall Thomas
Q: My favorite thing about NU is:
A: Playing football
Q: Best part about being a Northwestern football player is:
A: Competing for a Big Ten Championship
Q: Describe Coach Fitzgerald in five words or less:
A: Intense, motivational, passionate, South-sider
Q: Describe your position coach in five words or less:
A: Great teacher, Wise, The Man!
Q: Most humbling experience:
A: My first week in Kenosha my freshman year
Q: What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?
A: Being a Northwestern Wildcat
Q: The best book I have ever read is:
A: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Q: The person that inspires me the most is:
A: Pat Tillman
Q: When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be:
A: Mike Alstott
Q: My favorite pregame ritual is:
A: Watching 'Braveheart' on my laptop the night before
Q: If you could have a starring role in any film already made, which movie would you pick?
A: Braveheart
Q: My favorite food is:
A: Any sausage made by 'Sausages by Amylu'
Q: My favorite thing about playing at Ryan Field is:
A: Knowing I made a childhood dream a reality.
Q: Best thing about Northwestern is:
A: The campus.
Q: My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be:
A: Knocking someone's helmet off and forcing a fumble on a tackle during the Rose Bowl.
Q: My favorite television show is:
A: Friday Night Lights
Q: If I were not playing football, I would be:
A: Playing college lacrosse
Q: The three words that best describe me:
A: Devoted, driven, fearless
Q: My football-related superstition is:
A: Strangely, I don't have one