Michigan State Spartans' DC Joe Rossi With High Praise for Transfer LB Jordan Turner

Michigan State transfer linebacker Jordan Turner brings much experience to defensive coordinator Joe Rossi's defense.

Michigan State football was fortunate to land a former Big Ten foe in linebacker Jordan Turner this offseason.

Turner who played three seasons at Wisconsin after redshirting his first year with the program. A former All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (media), Turner posted 135 tackles, 12.5 for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, six pass break-ups and two forced fumbles in his 30 games with Wisconsin. He made 18 starts.

Both Turner and Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi are new to Michigan State's program but will each have a big say in how the defense looks in the first year of this new regime.

So far, Rossi is very pleased with the 6-foot-1, 235-pound transfer linebacker.

“I had seen him in crossover film all the time; that was one of the reasons we were interested in him because I had seen him a lot of times as we were watching other teams," Rossi told media members after the Spartans' spring practice on Tuesday. "First thing is is he’s a great person. He’s top-notch, love coaching the kid. 

Two, he works his butt off, and three, he’s talented. So, when you got a guy who’s a really good person, who works really hard, who is really talented, those guys are really fun to coach. And he’s been awesome; he’s been great for the room.

I’ve been super lucky — the linebacker room is just, it’s top-notch, with great people. And they work really, really hard and put a lot into it, so I’ve been blessed from that standpoint.”

Turner joins an already experienced linebacker group that includes Cal Haladay, Darius Snow and fellow transfer Wayne Matthews III.

That experience should be tremendously beneficial for a team that is transitioning to new systems. Turner's experience, in particular, is a significant advantage, as the transfer is familiar with the conference and what it takes to win in the Big Ten.

Last season, Turner finished third among all Badgers in total tackles with 61, including a career-best 6.5 for loss. He made seven starts in 11 games.

Turner received his All-Big Conference Honorable Mention honors for the season before.

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