EAST LANSING - Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones realizes a standout college career doesn't always translate that way to NFL scouts.
Even though Jones has been a first-team All-American for two straight years, some early NFL draft projections aren't that favorable for him. He's being viewed as a possible second- or third-round pick.
"I know I'm not the highest-ranked guy or anything like that," Jones said. "I'm completely fine with that. It shows me there's always room for improvement no matter what you do. I have a lot to prove. That's the mind-set I have."
Before starting his workouts for the NFL Scouting Combine that takes place in late February, Jones has one more statement to make in college: He and the Spartans (11-1) will try to put the final touches on a special season when they meet defending national champion Alabama (9-3) in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day in Orlando, Fla.
It's an intriguing matchup with Jones going up against running back Mark Ingram, last year's Heisman Trophy winner.
"I'm really, really charged about that," Jones said. "I have a lot of respect for Mark Ingram.
"I feel like this bowl game could definitely help that (draft) situation out a lot, especially with the kind of team we're playing."
Jones had great expectations when he decided to return for his senior year rather than enter the NFL Draft last spring.
To most, his team goals probably didn't seem attainable at the time while any and all individual honors were possible.
As it turned out, he got what he wanted from the team, but not as much individually.
"Coming back and finally getting a Big Ten championship, you couldn't ask for anything else," Jones said. "We finally got it together and I'm just happy to be a part of it."
While he was selected first-team All-America by The Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Football Writers Association of America and also the Sporting News, Jones wasn't even one of the five finalists for the Butkus Award.
The Butkus, won by Texas A&M's Von Miller, is presented annually to the nation's top linebacker. It's voted on by a collection of college coaches, NFL personnel and media.
"That was rough," Jones said. "But I really can't do anything about it."
Jones' production, at least statistically, declined this season. He went from 154 tackles and nine sacks last season to 98 tackles and one sack with one game to go.
He did, however, make the first two interceptions of his career, both in the same game against Northern Colorado.
Part of the reason his statistics took a hit is that opponents game-planned more to try to keep him under control. He also had teammates who could help make more plays than in the past.
Asked to evaluate his performance, Jones said, "I would say it was pretty good, but it wasn't what I wanted it to be personally."
"I wanted to make more plays, to cause turnovers," Jones said. "I feel, at the same time, I made my teammates better. When I'm blitzing or trying to go to the ball, there's two or three guys coming after me, so that leaves a lot of guys open.
"When you line up and the quarterback stares you down, you can tell where his focus is at. I like that."
A year ago, the biggest knock on Jones was that he lacked the preferable size and bulk to play linebacker in the pros. He tried to address the issue with his off-season workouts, going from 6 feet 1 and 220 pounds to close to 240 now.
Other concerns have included his pass-coverage skills and tendency to get out of his gap by overpursuing plays too much.
Scouts will be breaking down his tape more extensively in the months to come, along with analyzing his performance in predraft workouts, to determine his ultimate value.
Regardless of some projections, Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is adamant about Jones' pro potential.
"Greg Jones has a great future," Narduzzi said. "Doesn't matter where he gets drafted. One thing I know, wherever he goes, someone is going to get a steal. He'll be a hungry son of a gun, I promise you."
Jones' teammate, senior linebacker Eric Gordon, added, "He's had an amazing career here. He has a passion for football. I've never seen someone so good at getting off blocks. What I think makes him such a great linebacker is his instincts. He just has a way of getting to the ball."
Jones is only the fourth Michigan State player ever to be selected consensus first-team All-America twice, and the first to do it in back-to-back seasons since Bubba Smith and George Webster in 1965-66.
Jones ranks among the career leaders in school history in tackles for loss (second with 44 1/2), tackles (third with 457) and sacks (tied for sixth with 16 1/2).
None of this probably would have happened at Michigan State if not for two coaching changes four years ago. Jones originally made an oral commitment to Minnesota but changed his mind when coach Glen Mason was abruptly fired after a bowl loss.
Mark Dantonio had just moved from Cincinnati, a Big East school, to Michigan State a few weeks earlier to replace John L. Smith.
Jones, who is from Cincinnati Moeller High, had been recruited by Dantonio and liked the idea of playing for him much more once Dantonio was with a Big Ten program.
"When I think about that, you kind of wonder what if?" Jones said of his change in schools. "It's crazy. My mom always says it's a true blessing.
"And it's amazing to be down to one game. This is it. You want to make it special. You want to leave a winner."
Dec. 22, 2010
