MSU will almost certainly be using a either RS or true Soph to fill in for Davis. They are not throwing a true Fr in the mix or even a RSFr. Frey is the "youngest" and he did not redhsirt because he showed some solid ability.
I went back and looked at some recent Soph LB's at MSU under MD
Greg Jones: As true soph 128 tackles 8 starts at SAM and 5 at MIKE. First team All-Big Ten. This ws his "breakout" year. We knew he was good after fresh year, but this season is what put him in the ELITE category.
Eric Gordon: as RsSoph Started all 13 games at WILL linebacker in 2008 and ranked second on the team in tackles with 85. Gordon was kind of thrown to wolves having to start as a RsFR. His Soph year he played solid football and of course he went on to be one of MSU top all time tacklers (12th) despite playing next to Jones all those years.
Chris Norman: As tru Soph he saw action in 12 games in 2010, including 10 starts at Star linebacker . . . ranked sixth on the team with 59 tackles. Solid year for Norman. Keep in mind he was playing besides Gordon and Jones.
Max Bullough: As a true soph he was second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches. led the team with 89 tackles
Denicos Allen: As RsSoph made an immediate impact in his first year as the starter at Sam linebacker . . . named second-team All-Big Ten by the mediaand honorable mention selection by the coaches. Ranked second on the team with 83 tackles, led the team in tackles for loss (18.5 for 86 yards), sacks (11 for 69) and production points (307)
That is 5 LB's under Dantonio that started during soph year.....
I went back and looked at some recent Soph LB's at MSU under MD
Greg Jones: As true soph 128 tackles 8 starts at SAM and 5 at MIKE. First team All-Big Ten. This ws his "breakout" year. We knew he was good after fresh year, but this season is what put him in the ELITE category.
Eric Gordon: as RsSoph Started all 13 games at WILL linebacker in 2008 and ranked second on the team in tackles with 85. Gordon was kind of thrown to wolves having to start as a RsFR. His Soph year he played solid football and of course he went on to be one of MSU top all time tacklers (12th) despite playing next to Jones all those years.
Chris Norman: As tru Soph he saw action in 12 games in 2010, including 10 starts at Star linebacker . . . ranked sixth on the team with 59 tackles. Solid year for Norman. Keep in mind he was playing besides Gordon and Jones.
Max Bullough: As a true soph he was second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches. led the team with 89 tackles
Denicos Allen: As RsSoph made an immediate impact in his first year as the starter at Sam linebacker . . . named second-team All-Big Ten by the mediaand honorable mention selection by the coaches. Ranked second on the team with 83 tackles, led the team in tackles for loss (18.5 for 86 yards), sacks (11 for 69) and production points (307)
That is 5 LB's under Dantonio that started during soph year.....
