Spartans' Jones looking to increase size ... and reputation with NFL scouts

The shield Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones wears on the field is fashionable and can deflect the bright rays from the sun and shade his eyes from the opposition. It doesn't block the criticism Jones hears constantly about his dimensions.

Jones is an undersized linebacker many scouts view as a tweener in that he doesn't have a definitive position in the NFL; some view him as an outside linebacker and others as more of a pass-rush specialist.

If Greg Jones wants to get selected high next spring, he can't get beat on pass plays like Knowshon Moreno does here. (US Presswire)

In his first three years at Michigan State, during which he played at or below 229 pounds, Jones never missed a game and started 33 of 39 games. He has served primarily as the team's inside or strong-side linebacker. While questions continue about his size, Jones spent the entire offseason conditioning and strengthening his 6-foot-1 frame and enters fall camp at 237 pounds.

"Greg has worked extremely hard on changing his body," Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio said. "He has also worked hard individually to become more balanced as a football player. He's already been an outstanding player, but I think that he will be a more complete player this year."

As a junior last year, Jones had a breakout season and recorded 154 tackles, 14 for a loss and nine sacks. There were rumblings that Jones could leave for the NFL, but after discussing his football future with his parents, teammates and Dantonio, he decided it was best for him to stay in East Lansing for another season.

The decision he made was based on the opinions of the support system that surrounded him and the disappointing third-round grade the NFL Draft Advisory Board projected for him. Jones insists earning his degree and helping Michigan State win a championship, after a disappointing 6-7 season in 2009, was his ultimate influence in returning to MSU.

After he received the third-round grade, Jones flirted with leaving Michigan State for about a week. In a perfect world, Jones hoped for at least a second-round grade, but that didn't happen, and he turned to Dantonio for advice. Dantonio spoke with a number of scouts and at least four general managers around the league on Jones' behalf. And, the consensus feeling from those in the know was that it was best for Jones to stay in school to add bulk and to improve his pass defense.

"In this defense, I blitz a lot, so there are times where I'm not able to get an interception, because I'm getting after the quarterback and applying pressure," Jones said. "It's hard to judge me on that, because I have other responsibilities in this scheme. But, if I did drop back more, I would have more opportunities to get interceptions."

Being an all-around playmaker at the linebacker position is important, and the fact that Jones doesn't drop into coverage often and has yet to record an interception in his career is a concern. However, one longtime NFL scout with whom Dantonio spoke thought otherwise and believed that Jones, who has led the Spartans in tackles the past three years, was ready for the NFL despite his questionable ball and coverage skills.

"There's no question that he's undersized and has to improve against the pass, but his deficiency against the pass has to do with the scheme -- not him," the scout said. "Jones is one of the most dynamic linebackers that I've ever seen. He goes sideline-to-sideline so effortlessly and is always in position to make a play.

"When I look back at this year's draft class and see inside guys like [Sean] Weatherspoon and [Daryl] Washington, as well as all of the hybrids that were available; Jones could have been up there with all of them."

Receiving a grade from the advisory board is not the end all/be all. In many respects, the draft process serves as another season for draft-eligible players. There have been a number of prospects throughout the years who didn't play up to their potential between the months of August through December, but flourished during January-April at all-star games or workouts and ended up increasing their value.

Even if Jones had decided to leave school, he's still uncertain if things would have been different.

"That would have been tough, because I wasn't able to participate in the Senior Bowl or any of the all-star games," Jones said. "The first time I'd see any coaches or scouts would have been at the Scouting Combine. I don't know if it would have changed my grade, but it probably wouldn't have made things worse. It's hard to say."

Entering the 2010 season, Jones is the No. 1-rated senior inside linebacker by NFLDraftScout.com. He's not only the nation's premier inside linebacker, but he also has the ability to play all three linebacker positions, which makes him more attractive to teams at the next level.

When asked about the position he translates best to at the next level, Jones said, "I feel most comfortable in the middle where I can take control of the defense. But, if there's already a veteran in the middle, I'm fine playing on the strong side or weak side. Although, if I had my choice between the two, I'd rather play on the weak side if I'm not in the middle."

Wherever he plays in the NFL, Jones' size offers a team options, not limitations.

Chris Steuber is an analyst for NFLDraftScout.com distributed by The Sports Xchange.