2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Jerel Worthy DT #99

 Expectation: Starting DT  Height:  6’3”  Weight: 301#  2010 Eligibility: Sophomore (red shirt)  EXP: 1 Letter  Status:Â

 

Don't let Worthy's happy personality make you think he is anything less than brutal on the football field. Photo courtesy of MSU SID

Expectation:Â Starting DT

 

Height:  6’3”

 

Weight:Â 301#

 

2010 Eligibility: Sophomore (red shirt) 

 

EXP:Â 1 Letter

 

Status:Â Starting DT

 

Strengths: Worthy is a star on the rise and has many national media pegging him as the potentially best DT for the 2013 NFL draft. He had a great freshman campaign and all signs are that he isn’t resting. He has worked hard to improve and get better since the bowl game.

 

Let’s look at the Purdue game for a great example of one of his many strengths. On the first play of the game, the RB and QB have a fumble at the point of exchange. Worthy tackles the RB to avoid him from recovering the ball and CLR comes in, scoops it up, and scores a TD. Having the presence of mind to tackle the RB in hopes that one of his teammates could get the fumble showed an incredible amount of football IQ and is a great example that Worthy is more than just a brute player, he is smart and understands the game, he just doesn’t play it.  

 

Weakness: I have stated in another profile that a wet saddle blanket is the best way to train a young horse. I am not calling Worthy a horse, but I am saying it is the same principle. He does so much right, but some things can only improve with reps. Let’s take a look at the Montana State game for a weakness.

 

In the second quarter the Bobcats faced a first and 15. On the play he had his head down and the offensive lineman moved him out of the play. Keeping your head up isn’t easy, but it is a small technique area that he can improve on and he will.

 

Final Analysis: What makes Worthy fun is that he is a very good player and an even more congenial person. With an ever-present smile and a gregarious attitude he is loved by his teammates and respected for his work ethic. His off-season accolades didn’t go to his head and his off-season commitment to improvement has made him better.

 

The sky is the limit with Worthy, and I had one NFL friend tell me, “He will get drafted higher than Jones (Greg) if he simply continues at the pace he is now.” He will still make mistakes, but he will continually get better. Bad news for Big Ten OCs.

 

Next up: Dion Sims TE