Don't Worry Spartan Fans, Greg Jones Isn't Going Anywhere

There is a silver-lining to the otherwise dark cloud known as the 2009 Michigan State football season.  

Greg Jones, State's All-American linebacker, will return for his senior season in East Lansing.

A 6-7 season plagued by controversies and gut-wrenching defeats wasn't something that Sparty counted on, but Greg Jones didn't cease to impress.

Jones, the 6'1", 228 pound animal out of Cincinnati, Ohio made the decision to put his NFL career on hold and return to Michigan State to play for coach Mark Dantonio.

It was rumored that Jones was on the fence about remaining a Spartan and it was said that he would make the jump to the big leagues if he was a projected first-rounder. Apparently Todd McShay didn't forecast Jones as a first-rounder on his famous draft board, so Jones will stay put.

Jones was the backbone to an otherwise suspect Spartan defense in 2009. Trevor Anderson, who graduated, was the Pippen to Jones' Jordan. The two pass rushing dynamos, hand and hand, were the glue that held State's defense together.

Jones was awarded accolade after accolade during his tenure at MSU. He was the 2008 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and repeated as the top defensive player in 2009.

Jones ranked third in the FBS with 141 tackles in 2009, was an All-Big Ten selection for the second year in a row, and was named a consensus All-American by the Associated Press and the Football Writers Association , even CBSSports.com applauded his efforts during the 2009 season.

Jones recorded 11 tackles or more in eight of 12 regular season games in '09. Throw in 13.5 tackles for a loss and nine sacks, and he flat-out dominated the linebacker position.

Widely considered one of the nation's top linebackers, Jones has proved that he's a true asset to Pat Narduzzi's defense, not to mention a fan favorite.  

Jones has tallied 15.5 sacks and 359 tackles (36.5 TFL) in his illustrious career at Michigan State. Knocking heads just comes naturally to him.

Rest assured Spartan fans, Jones will continue to make running-backs and signal-callers alike cringe in their Under Armour in 2010.