Pledge Week: Linebackers

Our continuing series on the 2012 Pledges, today we look at Linebackers. Have you wondered how MSU seemed so much better on third down defense this year? Better linebacker pass coverage sure helps. The linebackers job is to come up and fill the gaps created by the Defensive Line in the running game and provide man coverage on TE's in the passing game and zone on WRs.

Riley Bullough

Courtesy of MSU Scout

The Bullough lineage is starting to read like that bit out of the bible. Hank the Spartan and NFL Coach begat Shane and Chuck. Shane and Chuck played linebacker at Michigan State in the 80's. Shane begat Max, Riley and Byron. Max and Riley will play linebacker at Michigan State. I'll betcha a dollar we have some idea what Byron will do. A recently projected depth chart for 2085 featured 11 Bulloughs on Defense all playing Mike in some sort of weird A11 variant defense.

Riley committed to Michigan State on 4/30/2011. He had offers from MSU, Iowa and Wisconsin as well as a handful of MAC schools. He was a three-star prospect  according to all three recruiting services. All three services also project him as an Outside Linebacker. Bullough sat out most of his senior year hurt. So obviously his senior year highlights are going to be non-existent. Very short.


A Predictor of Future Success is YOUtube 

What's to love about this kid? Well, after he hits someone all that's left of them is a puddle of teeth. Completely independent of the Bullough lineage a kid who's played QB in HS is going to understand the development of pass routes early on, which would make him a good candidate for early playing time if there was any to be had. What else? Oh yeah, my brain hurts from how hard he was hitting kids. 

What's not to like? Hm. He seems about as fast as his brother, who was 20 lbs heavier at the same age, so a bit slower, but if he can put on 15-20 lbs without losing any speed he'll be more than fast enough to play Sam.

2012 and Beyond Tea Leaves: Redshirt in 2012. Sees the field in 2014 regularly. Sees the field in 2013 situationally and certainly on Senior Day so he and Max can have playing time together.

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Jamal Lyles

Courtesy 247 Sports

Jamal Lyles committed to on 6/23/2011. His offer sheet included MSU, Pitt, Vandy, the Cuse and Iowa. Which is better than Indiana and a slew of MAC schools like a low three-star, but not really the offer sheet accompanies a dude who is ranked a four-star prospect by Rivals and Scout and a three-star by 247 Sports. Lyles was not offered by Michigan and I have a strong feeling this one will come back to bite them despite what I just finished writing above.

See, like so many of the people Dantonio has brought in the last two recruiting classes, Lyles has the frame to bulk up quite a bit and his likely future is on the Defensive Line. So much so that I projected him there in the divination based 2012-2015 two deeps I did for the Only Colors a few weeks ago. Can you ever have too many talented pass rushers in College Football? Can you ever have too many supercars? No. Having more only makes things better.

A Predictor of Future Success is YOUtube

What's to love? Kid played WR/LB in High school. So athleticism is no issue this film is really kind of grainy and that makes it hard to read out how the kid plays a little more technically.

2012 Tea Leaves and Beyond: Redshirt in 2012. He'll see the field, but I'm not sure when, where or how. It'll honestly depend on whether he sticks at LB or puts on weight and slides down to DL.  I suspect that choice will even be his.

2013 Needs: I'd say three and to continue our Defensive Domination, two need to be high quality recruits. This would let them redshirt in 13 and be ready to see the field in 2014 after the departure of Bullough and Denicos Allen.