Michigan State’s defense has suffered a major loss before the season even started.
Fifth-year senior linebacker Ed Davis will miss the 2015 season for the sixth-ranked Spartans after injuring his knee in practice Wednesday.
By Cory Burrell
According to a statement from Michigan State Head Coch Mark Dantonio, Davis suffered the injury in the middle of practice, but it was not until later Wednesday night the full extent of the injury was determined. An MRI confirmed Davis will require season-ending surgery.
“We’re so disappointed for Ed Davis and his presence in the lineup will be missed,” Mark Dantonio said in his statement. “Ed is a tremendous playmaker and a solid leader…Our program has faced adversity before, so now it’s time to adopt the ‘next man up’ mentality.”
Dantonio also added that Davis “might have an opportunity to qualify for a sixth year of eligibility” next season.
Davis, who was named to the All-Big Ten pre-season first team and the Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year) Watch List, was a productive and reliable member of the stalwart Spartans’ defense. As a junior last season, Davis tallied 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks, good for third-most on the team in both categories. Davis’ contributions helped Michigan State hold opponents to a mere 21.5 points per game (22nd-best in the nation) and earned him an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection.
Optimum Scouting ranked Davis as the third-best senior linebacker in the Big Ten. According to Optimum Scouting’s Big Ten player rankings, Davis projected to be a fifth- or sixth-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft who “has been groomed by some top tier talents” throughout his career at MSU.
The loss of Davis will likely give sophomore linebacker Chris Frey more opportunities. As a freshman in 2014, Frey appeared in all 13 games and recorded 19 tackles. He was expected to primarily back up Davis coming into this season.
JUCO transfer Drake Martinez may also have his position shifted in the wake of Davis’ injury, accord to the Detroit Free Press. Martinez redshirted at Nebraska for a year in 2013 before transferring to Saddleback College because of an undisclosed illness. He won an appeal earlier this year to gain eligibility for the 2015 season.
Even without Davis, Michigan State still has high expectations for the upcoming season. Their first game this year will take place on the road September 4th against Western Michigan.
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