Michigan State Spartans' Top 10 Players for 2012

Little is known about the big-armed junior-to-be from Midland, Mich. He has been patient and learned the position behind arguably the program’s most historic quarterback Kirk Cousins. He has the support of the coaching staff as the unquestioned starter for the Spartans in 2012. Head coach Mark Dantonio had this to say about his future starter this spring, “He has a very live arm and he’s an outstanding leader. He’s very calm and poised and I think great things are around the corner for him.” The poise, leadership, mental approach to the game, stature (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) and arm strength have led most observers to Cousins comparisons. If he is half of the quarterback Cousins was in East Lansing, Spartan fans will be very happy — and he will be much higher on this list come next summer.

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While Adams gets the most NFL praise from scouts, Dennard has proved that he is an All-Big Ten-type performer as well. He posted 42 tackles in 11 games last fall and tied a Spartan bowl record when he intercepted Aaron Murray twice in the 2012 Outback Bowl, including one he took back 38 yards for a touchdown. It is easy to overlook the Dry Branch, Ga., native while he plays alongside names like Lewis and Adams, but Dennard is a huge part of what makes the Spartans back-seven so scary in 2012.

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The third of the stellar linebacking corps in East Lansing is no slouch in his own right. The Detroit product earned his own all-conference recognition when the media gave him an honorable mention nod a season ago. He posted a career-high 76 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and a couple of sacks. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound linebacker has made 23 career starts as he enters his final season in college.
 

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Since Mark Dantonio took over in East Lansing, the offensive line has been a physical presence along the line of scrimmage. And McDonald has been a big part of that Spartan’s rushing attack. The honorable mention All-Big Ten blocker played more snaps (775) than any other offensive lineman on the team. The 6-foot-5, 299-pound hog molly enters his third season as the starter after helping Michigan State to its first two 11-win seasons in school history.

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Allen is not your prototypical pass-rushing strongside linebacker, but he is incredibly effective. At 5-foot-11 and 232 pounds, the short tackler led the Spartans in sacks with 11.0 quarterback takedowns in 2011, good for second in the Big Ten behind only first-round NFL Draft pick Whitney Mercilus. His 83 total tackles were second on the team and earned him second-team All-Big Ten recognition from the media in only his year in the starting line-up. Like Bullough and Lewis, Allen has played in all 27 possible career games for the Spartans. 

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Bell has the potential to be a first-team All-Big Ten player if he can provide consistent production week in and week out. He has scored 21 touchdowns in two seasons as an underclassman and has the frame — 6-foot-2, 238 pounds — to be a future star on the next level. However, Bell has only one game of at least 20 carries in his career and failed to score in 14 of his 27 career games — meaning he scored 21 times in 13 games. This is likely why Mark Dantonio has felt the need to motivate the rising junior this spring. The head coach knows that much of the team’s offensive success in 2012 will run through Bell. The Ohio native has a chance at a special season behind a solid offensive line if he can play with consistency and dedication.

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This Indianapolis, Ind., safety is a bit undersized at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, but he doesn’t play that way. The consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection tied for the team lead with four interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns against Central Michigan and archrival Michigan. He also posted 74 total tackles and 2.5 sacks in only his first season as the starter. He, too, has never missed a game in his two years on campus and should be one of the best at his position in the Big Ten.
 

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In two quick seasons, the third generation Spartan legacy has established himself as one of the most dependable tacklers in the Big Ten. He posted 89 total stops in his first season as the starter last fall and has yet to miss a contest in his 27-game career. He earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches in 2011 and should be amongst the conference’s top tacklers once again in 2012. The heady, savvy inside tackler should lead the team in tackles for the second straight season and plays with the heart and toughness that is required from to excel as a Big Ten middle linebacker.
 

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A fixture in the Spartan Big Ten-leading defense, Adams has played in 42 games and started 28 heading into his final season in East Lansing. He is a two-time All-Big Ten selection, including a first-team nod by the coaches in 2011. He finished last fall with 51 total tackles, three interceptions — including one he returned 86 yards for a touchdown — and three sacks. The Akron, Ohio, product has 122 career stops and 25 passes defended (eight interceptions, 17 passes broken up). His versatility makes Adams one of the best cornerbacks in the country.

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There are few players in the nation with as much raw physical talent as this Detroit pass rusher. As a sophomore, Gholston earned second-team All-Big Ten honors after wracking-up 70 total tackles, 16.0 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks in 2011. The 6-foot-7, 275 monster has the ability to develop into an All-American and high NFL Draft pick — if he can stay focused and committed to being successful. He was suspended for the Wisconsin game for an on-the-field transgression and recently sustained minor injuries after his SUV rolled into a ditch in a car accident (although, it appears he wasn’t at fault). With just a touch of maturation, Gholston has a chance to be the best player at his position in the Big Ten.

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