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It starts with Greg Jones and, for many an ambitious offensive player this season, it will end with Greg Jones. It was clear before camp began that Jones would be MSU's defensive star and one of its leaders this season.
After watching him fly around for the past few weeks, unleashing hits and verbal fire, it appears those expectations were low. Jones, who led MSU and Big Ten freshmen with 78 tackles as a freshman, looks possessed.
He made plays on instinct and talent for much of last season. Now that he knows the system thoroughly, Jones is playing faster. And MSU will be using him all over the field and likely sending him at the quarterback often.
"He'll be able to swing both inside and outside," defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi said. "The great thing about our linebackers is that they all pretty much have the same job, they just change their alignments. The thing Jones has going for him is that he's not a robotic linebacker. He's a very instinctual linebacker."
Sophomore Eric Gordon returns at outside linebacker. He had 62 tackles last season despite a nagging shoulder injury. Gordon, a member of The Sporting News' Big Ten All-Freshman team, should be ready for another strong season.
And then there are questions. MSU's next-best linebackers are junior Adam Decker, junior Brandon Denson, a former walk-on, and senior Ryan Allison, a converted wideout. They're basically competing with each other at different spots - if Denson or Allison is better outside than Decker is inside, then Jones will play inside and Denson or Allison will start outside. And vice versa.
It'll vary this season, depending at times on the opponent. Denson and Allison are fast but still learning the position. Decker does not have great speed, but he's a sharp player who always seems to be around the ball.
And then there are more questions. Four promising freshmen have arrived, and it wouldn't be a total shock if one or two of them carved out a role. David Rolf has been working the middle with the No. 2 team, while Drew Stevens and Jamiihr Williams have been making plays outside.
