Solid linebacker play transcends MSU defense

From recording the program’s first shutout in nine years against Eastern Michigan to shutting down Notre Dame’s running game, MSU’s defense has made significant strides with each passing week.

Adam Decker

At the forefront of the Spartans’ success has been the linebacker corps, consisting of junior Adam Decker and sophomores Greg Jones and Eric Gordon. Each of the starters ranks in the top five on the team in tackles.

“I feel like we’re getting better from game to game and we’re constantly getting better as a corps,” said Jones, who leads the Spartans with 26 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss.

“Decker is definitely running a good show out there and he’s very confident, which is allowing the rest of us to be confident.”

Although successful seasons were expected of Jones and Gordon, both of whom were named to The Sporting News’ Big Ten All-Freshman Team last season, Decker entered fall camp relatively unknown, slated as the No. 2 middle linebacker on the depth chart.

After impressing coaches with a successful spring followed by an even more successful fall camp, Decker earned the starting spot. His entry into the starting lineup moved Jones back to strongside, where he started as a freshman.

“The big thing was I tried to communicate to my teammates and tried to make them feel comfortable with me in the middle as opposed to somebody else,” Decker said of his preseason mentality.

“When I was in there, I tried to show the coaches that everyone was on the same page and that we knew what we were doing and that we were producing.”

So far, the move has paid off. Decker’s 25 tackles rank him second on the team behind Jones, while Gordon has yanked down the ball-carrier 20 times.

“We had questions in the middle and (Decker) just stepped up and filled in,” Gordon said. “He had a good spring and he wanted the position. He fought for it and got it.”

Although Decker plays middle linebacker, a position traditionally charged with handling the vocal and physical leadership on defense, he said he’s relinquished the vocal leadership duties to senior safety and captain Otis Wiley.

Instead, Decker has continued to focus and lead with the quality that earned him the position — his play.

“I let Otis and those guys (do that),” Decker said.

“I look up to them still, they’re great leaders so I let them be the vocal leaders, but when it comes (time) to make play calls, get people lined up and give them reminders, I try to say what’s necessary.”