Michigan State Spartans

Big Ten opponents now have another reason to fear Michigan State's defense

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:42 p.m. ET

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Michigan State got some big news Friday. Star linebacker Ed Davis was cleared for this season, which would be his sixth at MSU.

The speedy 6-foot-2, 235-pounder missed the entire 2015 season after suffering a torn ACL in preseason camp. He was a starting linebacker for the Spartans in 2014, when he made 12 tackles for losses and had seven sacks.

Davis makes what was already a terrific linebacking corps even better. According to MSU coaches, Davis is a very good blitzer. He’s just "slippery and a really smart football player,” one Spartans source said.

In Davis’ absence last fall, Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke both blossomed, combining for 181 tackles and 13 TFLs. Chris Frey, an old Chris Spielman protege, is also tough and physical and has taken a step forward by shedding about 15 pounds. Frey had nine tackles in MSU’s opener last week. Sophomore Andrew Dowell, a former prep running back who may be the fastest of the bunch, had eight tackles.

Word is, MSU hadn’t repped Davis too much of late at practice because the Spartans were trying to make sure their other linebackers were ready and his status for games was in limbo. But the sixth-year senior figures to get eased back into the lineup now that he’s got the green light from the NCAA.

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Ed Davis