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Michigan State Football: Report card for 2015 season

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Henry Krieger Coble (80) loses control of the ball while guarded by Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) and linebacker Riley Bullough (30) during the first quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Henry Krieger Coble (80) loses control of the ball while guarded by Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) and linebacker Riley Bullough (30) during the first quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers: B

It’s really tough to even knock this unit a little bit because of how far these linebackers have come. Riley Bullough became the leader at Mike linebacker while Darien Harris improved tremendously at ‘Star’ linebacker. Jon Reschke, along with a little Chris Frey sprinkled in, filled in nicely for the injured Ed Davis who missed the entire season at ‘Sam’ linebacker.

Looking like it would be a long year following the Davis injury, Reschke proved he had what it took to become the starter in the middle of the field for the Spartans. The linebacking corps took a huge hit, but Reschke, along with Frey, Shane Jones, Bullough and Harris filled his void.

The one issue I had with the linebackers this season besides pass coverage was the inability to make the open field tackles. Many times on screen passes, the linebackers had sniffed it out right away and went up to make the hit behind the line of scrimmage only to whiff and allow opponents to pick up chunk plays.

Over-pursuit often led to these missed tackles and while it’s good for linebackers to be aggressive, missing tackles which lead to first downs are inexcusable, especially since that puts more pressure on the rest of the defense as it has to stay out there longer.

Next season, if Davis gets a sixth year of eligibility, the linebacking corps will be as strong as ever.

Next: Receivers

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