Senior bandit Tyrell Dortch talks about switching from running back to the defense, the leadership of MSU's defensive unit, heading home for the Spartans' season opener against Rutgers and becoming a captain in his final season with the Green and White.
The State News: Will making the transition from offense to defense be tough?
Tyrell Dortch: No, not for me. I played defense in high school then I converted to running back so I've been going back and forth between offense and defense. It's not a shock to me. I'll play anywhere, as long as I'm on the field and helping my teammates and helping us win, I'm happy.
SN: What do you like more: Playing defense and tackling players or running the ball and scoring touchdowns?
TD: I think it's more fun running the ball and scoring touchdowns. On defense, if you make a big play, everybody's looking at you and there's much more weight off your back when you're playing defense. On offense, you've got to get downfield, you've got to score and get into field goal range, you've got to do this and you've got to do that. But on defense, you've got just one thing to do, just stop them and that's it.
SN: Is the defense going to lead the team this year?
TD: I believe so, we've got much more veterans and athletes. The offense is very athletic, and they're very deep at wide receiver, but there's more veterans and seniors on the defensive side of the ball. We'll be very disappointed if we let up with all that talent and the seniority over there.
SN: Are you excited to go back home for the first game?
TD: Yeah I'm very excited. I think about it sometimes. I know a couple guys at Rutgers - the punter went to my high school - so they'll be bragging rights on the line, but I've got to stay focused on the game at hand.
SN: Will your family be at the game?
TD: Oh yeah, I'm trying to get everybody from Michigan and Ohio on the team to give me their tickets so I can give them to my family.
SN: What does it mean that you'll be going to that game as a captain?
TD: That's very special, it just makes me think the young guys look up to me. I've just got to have a positive outlook on everything now. This is just icing on the cake, and it's made me a better person now as I'm getting ready for the season.
