August 12, 2015
Ed Davis, out for year; what's next at SLB?
Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher
EAST LANSING - Senior strong inside linebacker Ed Davis was lost for the season due to a knee injury sustained midway through Wednesday's practice, the university stated via Twitter on Wednesday evening.
"We're so disappointed for Ed Davis," head coach Mark Dantonio said Wednesday evening via Spartan Football's Twitter feed. "His presence in the lineup will be missed. Ed is a tremendous playmaker and a solid leader.
"He will still have an important role on this team and he might have the opportunity to qualify for a sixth year of eligibility.
"Our program has faced adversity before, so now it's time to adopt the 'next man up' mentality. Ed's injury provides otehrs with an opportunity to have a positive impact on the team."
Sophomore Chris Frey (6-2, 235, Upper Arlington, Ohio) will have the inside track to become the first-string strong inside linebacker at MSU, also known as Sam linebacker and 'money' linebacker.
Frey saw action in 13 games last year as a true freshman, mostly on special teams. He posted 19 tackles.
Jon Reschke (6-2, 228, Soph., Sterling Heights, Mich./Brother Rice) is also a candidate for an expanded role. Reschke and Shane Jones are battling for second-string Mike linebacker behind Riley Bullough.
Reschke missed most of the spring with an upper body injury. He began camp as a fourth-string Mike linebacker but has quickly regained favor with coaches this week. He had 13 tackles as the back-up toTaiwan Jones in 2014.
Can Reschke move outside to Sam linebacker? Coaches are likely pondering that question in camp right now.
Bullough (6-2, 230, Jr., Traverse City St. Francis) was Davis' back-up at Sam linebacker in 2014. But the Spartans have become extremely comfortable with Bullough setting the defense as the new first-string Mike linebacker.
From a frame and athleticism standpoint, Bullough might be the best fit for Sam linebacker as Davis' replacement, but would MSU move Reschke to Mike linebacker and move Bullough to Sam linebacker just to get the proper athleticism and body types in place in the front seven?
These are bothersome questions for MSU to answer, considering that with Davis the Spartans looked like they might have the best defensive front seven in the country.
Frey and Reschke are promising linebackers, but not in the class of the rangy, physical, fast Davis.
True freshman Tyriq Thompson has been repping at strong inside linebacker since enrolling in January, but would represent a steep drop-off from Davis if he has to play.
Davis (6-3, 230, Detroit Southeastern) was set to be a second-year starter for the Spartans in 2015 and a potential difference-maker. Davis was a preseason All-Big Ten pick by Lindy's (first-team), Sporting News (second team), Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (second team).
Davis was honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches and media last year while leading the team in production points in 200. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 58 and was third on the team in tackles for loss with 12.
Ed Davis, out for year; what's next at SLB?
Jim Comparoni
SpartanMag.com Publisher
EAST LANSING - Senior strong inside linebacker Ed Davis was lost for the season due to a knee injury sustained midway through Wednesday's practice, the university stated via Twitter on Wednesday evening.
"We're so disappointed for Ed Davis," head coach Mark Dantonio said Wednesday evening via Spartan Football's Twitter feed. "His presence in the lineup will be missed. Ed is a tremendous playmaker and a solid leader.
"He will still have an important role on this team and he might have the opportunity to qualify for a sixth year of eligibility.
"Our program has faced adversity before, so now it's time to adopt the 'next man up' mentality. Ed's injury provides otehrs with an opportunity to have a positive impact on the team."
Sophomore Chris Frey (6-2, 235, Upper Arlington, Ohio) will have the inside track to become the first-string strong inside linebacker at MSU, also known as Sam linebacker and 'money' linebacker.
Frey saw action in 13 games last year as a true freshman, mostly on special teams. He posted 19 tackles.
Jon Reschke (6-2, 228, Soph., Sterling Heights, Mich./Brother Rice) is also a candidate for an expanded role. Reschke and Shane Jones are battling for second-string Mike linebacker behind Riley Bullough.
Reschke missed most of the spring with an upper body injury. He began camp as a fourth-string Mike linebacker but has quickly regained favor with coaches this week. He had 13 tackles as the back-up toTaiwan Jones in 2014.
Can Reschke move outside to Sam linebacker? Coaches are likely pondering that question in camp right now.
Bullough (6-2, 230, Jr., Traverse City St. Francis) was Davis' back-up at Sam linebacker in 2014. But the Spartans have become extremely comfortable with Bullough setting the defense as the new first-string Mike linebacker.
From a frame and athleticism standpoint, Bullough might be the best fit for Sam linebacker as Davis' replacement, but would MSU move Reschke to Mike linebacker and move Bullough to Sam linebacker just to get the proper athleticism and body types in place in the front seven?
These are bothersome questions for MSU to answer, considering that with Davis the Spartans looked like they might have the best defensive front seven in the country.
Frey and Reschke are promising linebackers, but not in the class of the rangy, physical, fast Davis.
True freshman Tyriq Thompson has been repping at strong inside linebacker since enrolling in January, but would represent a steep drop-off from Davis if he has to play.
Davis (6-3, 230, Detroit Southeastern) was set to be a second-year starter for the Spartans in 2015 and a potential difference-maker. Davis was a preseason All-Big Ten pick by Lindy's (first-team), Sporting News (second team), Athlon Sports (second team) and Phil Steele (second team).
Davis was honorable mention All-Big Ten by coaches and media last year while leading the team in production points in 200. He ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 58 and was third on the team in tackles for loss with 12.
