Michigan State linebacker wants to make an impact

By Adam Zuvanich on December 23rd, 2009 21 Comments Printer-Friendly

When he arrived at Michigan State in 2007, all Greg Jones wanted was a chance to get on the field. And the wide-eyed true freshman didn’t care how or where.

Linebacker Greg Jones (53) has been the Spartans' leading tackler for the last three seasons, and he ranks third in the nation for tackles this season. (Photo provided by Michigan State.)

This is an Oct. 10, 2009, file photo showing Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio running onto the field at the beginning of an NCAA college football game against Illinois in Champaign, Ill. The Rose Bowl is out of reach for Penn State and Michigan State.But Saturday's regular-season finale will have a lot to do with determining where both Big Ten teams spend their holidays.(AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

“The first thing they told me when I got here was, ‘Do good on special teams, and you can find a spot on the field,’ ” Jones said. “I can remember almost begging coach to put me in on kickoff. I was like, ‘Please.’ I just wanted to play.”

Nearly three full seasons later, the Spartans are begging Jones to stay on the field — and in the program, for that matter.

The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Cincinnati native remains part of two special-teams units at Michigan State, and he’s made an even bigger mark at linebacker. Jones has been the Spartans’ leading tackler each of the last three years, and his 141 tackles this season rank third in the nation.

In the weeks leading up to the Alamo Bowl against Texas Tech, Jones has been honored as the Big Ten Conference defensive player of the year and a first-team All-American. He said his fruitful college career has been a “true blessing,” and he credits much of his success to the guidance of head coach Mark Dantonio and his staff, and the support of his Michigan State teammates.

But Dantonio, who landed Jones after he backed out of his initial commitment to Minnesota, might be more grateful for his star middle linebacker. Dantonio is the first Michigan State coach since Nick Saban to take the Spartans to bowl games in each of his first three seasons, and Jones has been the defensive anchor throughout that span.

“He’s a very instinctive football player, high energy … brings a lot of intensity and leadership to our football team,” Dantonio said. “He’s only a junior, but he makes things happen for us.”

Although somewhat undersized to be considered an elite middle linebacker, Jones makes up for it with several other attributes. His speed has enabled him to become the Spartans’ best pass-rusher — he leads the team with nine sacks, 131/2 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries — and he also excels in one-on-one battles with blockers.

“He has really good hands,” said outside linebacker Eric Gordon, Michigan State’s second-leading tackler this season. “He’ll be blitzing and going full speed and someone will come up to block him, and he’ll just wipe him right by. I’ve always wanted to be able to do that, but it’s not as natural for me as it is for him. He’s just great with his hands and at getting off blockers.”

Jones’ supercharged motor also sets him apart. Gordon said he gives “110 percent effort” on every play, and Jones said as long as a “quarterback still has the ball in his hands, I feel I can come after him.”

Jones said he developed that mentality by studying his favorite NFL linebackers, Ray Lewis and Takeo Spikes.

“He’s an emotional leader and he’s ready to go, and on the field he’s a leader, too,” Jones said of Lewis. “If he misses a play, he comes back and makes a play. You have to respond whether you make a big play or not, and that’s what I try to do, too.”

Jones has made several big plays throughout his Michigan State career, but Gordon said you wouldn’t know it by the way he carries himself on and off the field. Gordon said his pregame roommate for the last two years is most demonstrative when other Spartans wreak havoc on an opposing offense.

“He doesn’t care who makes the play, really,” Gordon said. “If I make a sack or get a (pass breakup), he’ll always be the first guy coming at me to congratulate me. He’ll always give credit to other people.
Sometimes he shouldn’t, but he does. He’s not the guy that’s going to be full of himself or talk himself up.”

That’s partly because Jones knows he’s far from a perfect player. In fact, his list of accomplishments has a gaping hole in the turnover department.

He’s yet to make an interception in 38 career games, and he has only one fumble recovery and one forced fumble.

“I feel almost a little embarrassed,” said Jones, who still gets teased for dropping an easy interception against Northwestern this year. “I’ve been here three years, and no picks, one fumble recovery. That’s not enough. I want to get an interception and get my hands on the football. That’s what I have to improve on to be a big factor.”

Despite his shortcomings as a ballhawk, Jones figures to get a shot at the next level. Some NFL draft pundits have projected him to be selected within the first two rounds, assuming Jones leaves school early.

Jones said he’s still weighing his options, and he won’t make a decision until after the Alamo Bowl. But he said it’s “very exciting” and “kind of surreal” to even be considered an NFL prospect.

If the rest of the Spartans had a say in the matter, they wouldn’t let Jones leave.

“I want him to come back,” Gordon said. “He’s a good friend, and it would be hard to see myself playing next to a different guy. He’s been the guy right next to me for three years now.

“And we’d miss his talent, obviously. Someone’s always going to step up, but it might not be a Greg Jones talent. He’d definitely be missed.”
That’s a far cry from pleading to get on the field.

To comment on this story:
adam.zuvanich@lubbockonline.com l 766-8733
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735

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