Under Armour Senior Bowl Selects Pair of Spartans

 

Greg Jones Career May Be Over In the Spartan Nation, but He Still is Piling Up Accolades and Awards. Photo Courtesy of Bill Marklevits.

 

Under Armour Senior Bowl Selects Pair of Spartans

Jones, Rucker to represent Michigan State in senior showcase event 

Mobile, AL. (Jan. 16)—The Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff won’t have to go far if they take a liking to Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones while coaching the North squad in the 2011 Under Armour Senior Bowl. Jones was born and raised in Cincinnati, attending Moeller High School before signing with the Spartans. Jones and fellow Spartan Chris Rucker, a defensive back, have both accepted invitations to the senior showcase event, it was announced today. The 62nd game is set for 3pm (CT) on January 29th in Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game and all practices will be televised by NFL Network.

“Greg is an outstanding linebacker and a great competitor,” Senior Bowl President and CEO Steve Hale said. “We’re excited to be able to add both he and Chris to the North roster and look forward to watching them compete here in Mobile next week.”

Jones was a consensus first team All-American for the second straight year and first team All-Big Ten selection for the third straight year. The linebacker led the Spartans in tackles with 106 on the season—which was seventh-best in the Big Ten. He also tallied ten tackles for loss, one sack and two interceptions his senior year.

“I’m really excited, I feel like it’s a really big opportunity for me to come down there,” Jones said. “I really want to prove to the scouts that I can play at the next level and I can’t wait to get out there and start practicing.”

The Cincinnati, Ohio native ranks among the school’s all-time leaders in tackles for loss (2nd-46.5), tackles (3rd-465) and sacks (T6th-16.5). He started an impressive 46 of 52 career games, including a stretch of 40 straight and led the team in tackles all four years. 

“I want to show the scouts that I can play against the best players,” Jones added. “I feel like I’m good enough to play against other guys from high level programs and I want to show the scouts that I’m a complete player.”

Rucker was voted a second-team All-Big Ten selection this season by the league’s coaches. He finished the year with 64 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He was the Spartans’ most experienced player in the secondary this season, making 34 starts at cornerback. He finished his career with 191 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and six interceptions.