Spartan LB/Special Teams Coach Mike Tressel Breaks Down the MSU Linebacker Backups!

Mike Tressel has said that this is the deepest group of linebackers he has ever coached. That’s important, football is a tough sport and an even more

Mike Tressel has said that this is the deepest group of linebackers he has ever coached. That’s important, football is a tough sport and an even more difficult one to stay healthy in. He spoke EXCLUSIVELY with Spartan Nation recently about his backup crew of linebackers. Having capable backups is important to any team’s success. It is why you go out and recruit the best talent available. It also helps in practice by raising the competition level on the scout team.

When the Spartans line up against Boise State under the lights to open the season, they will have a four-linebacker package, or “Viper” available to use. Even with their primary D being a 4-3 set, they are ready. Tressel believes that any number of guys can step in and be the fourth guy.

“There are options,” said Tressel. “We can play a four linebacker set in our base defense and Marcus Rush can stand up and play inside linebacker. Taiwan Jones, Ed Davis, Kyler Elsworth, allthose guys had fantastic spring’s but Darien Harris was the one that jumped out from nowhere and was working with the starting group.”

Harris has found himself improving each day that he steps out onto the practice field. Mark Dantonio has sung his praises since the day he signed with MSU and now he is coming into his own.

“He came from great football, Dematha [Catholic] High School has great football. He gets the game,” explained Tressel. “His dad was a division one football player at Virginia Tech. He just gets the game and he is special as an athlete for a linebacker. He has those defensive back skills athletically but combine that with the defensive mentality and understanding of the game like a linebacker and he just shined in the spring.”

Taiwan Jones, who was the only true freshman to see playing time for the Spartans in 2011, has physical gifts unlike any other in his class. Currently standing at 6’3” 234 pounds, he is primed to make a difference for Tressel.

“He is a guy who is along the lines of a Chris Norman,” said Tressel. “He has all this athletic ability and all the potential in the world and it’s how fast you make the decision, enough about all this potential I’m going to step out of the box and be a great one.”

Ed Davis has the reputation of going for the big hit. It’s a spark that every coach loves to have in his back pocket to pump up his team.

“Ed is a guy who finds a way to make plays,” said Tressel. “He gets [tackles for a loss] he finds his way to the football. I’m excited to see that happen on gameday.”

With all of this linebacker ability on one roster, it is easy to see why Kyler Elsworth flies under the radar. Tressel isn’t sure how much longer that will last.

“I love Kyler cause he is a guy who sells out,” said Tressel. “He played a lot of goal line for us last year and had a lot of tackles for a loss. He had one in the Big Ten Championship game where he made a TFL in short yardage. He sells out, he doesn’t second-guess himself and he is physical. You can find a place for guys like that.”

Every coach in America wishes they had this many linebackers who could actively contribute on the Big Ten level. The Spartans find themselves with the best training tool you can find on the market, each other. ]

On top of all the above mentioned returning players, we didn’t even talk with Tressel about what many think was the best class of LB’s in the modern era. That group (2012 recruiting class) is now on campus. This group would have all played as true freshman when Dantonio arrived and perhaps all of them could red shirt this season. Depth is the name of the game.