With all the position shuffling this season, a handful of MSU’s players have used their athleticism to compensate for the team’s personnel losses on the field.
But with the new trend of players dabbling in other positions, there’s still no chance fans will see 278-pound defensive tackle Josh Shaw playing defensive back - even if he looked like one in MSU’s win against Iowa.
Shaw, a senior, had two interceptions against the Hawkeyes - one in the first quarter and another early in the fourth. He also had seven tackles, including two for losses.
Shaw’s athleticism against the Hawkeyes surprised head coach Bobby Williams, who said Shaw playfully lobbied for a new position before the game.
“He was one of the guys that came to my office about playing defensive back, and I kicked him out,” Williams said. “He had a tremendous game. Josh has been playing well all season long, and he’s been a great practice player. He practices the same way he plays.”
Both interceptions happened because of proper execution and luck, Shaw said.
“We tried to mix it up and bring the pressure on them,” Shaw said. “That’s something we’ve been trying to do all year. I just was really fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.”
Shaw’s performance - especially his first interception, which he returned for 15 yards - not only surprised himself, but his teammates.
“On that first interception, it looked like he was an experienced offensive player,” sophomore linebacker Mike Labinjo said. “He called it during the week that he was going to make a big play and showed that he has some wheels.”
As one of the team’s most experienced leaders, Shaw has set an example for younger players who have had to acclimate themselves to the rigors of Big Ten football.
Shaw said his work ethic has improved since his first season under then-head coach Nick Saban.
“It has developed more since I’ve been here,” Shaw said. “Coming in every summer to workout with (strength and conditioning) coach (Ken) Mannie has helped a lot. After all these years, I feel like I’m tougher. I run hard and I lift hard - I just try to go hard all the time.”
And all that has helped him become more of a leader on the field, Labinjo said.
“Josh is very vocal,” he said. “He gets us going out there. He intimidates offensive lineman a lot because he’s so quick and strong. I have learned a lot from him.”
