Jerel Worthy to the NFL: Why Michigan State's Defense Will Be Just Fine in 2012

All-American defensive tackle Jerel Worthy has announced that he will forego his senior season at Michigan State and will enter the NFL Draft.

Jerel Worthy (6’3”, 310 pounds) is a beast up front and is projected by Mel Kiper as the No. 20 pick in April’s draft. Kiper also has the former Spartan as the fourth-rated defensive tackle.

However, the biggest question in East Lansing at the moment will be how much of an impact this will have on their defense.

The other defensive tackle (Kevin Pickelman) is a senior, which will leave a large void up front for the Spartans.

However, they have eight expected starters coming back, and we can count on Pat Narduzzi and Mark Dantonio reloading with another solid recruiting class.

College football is all about team football, and the Spartans look like they are heading into a future full of excitement and success.

Marcus Rush and William Gholston will both be back, which will certainly give the Spartans two fierce pass rushers off the edge.

Throw in the fact that Sparty will feature the best linebackers in the Big Ten and one of the top five in the county (least in my book).

Denicos Allen is the next Big Ten star, and guys like Max Bullough and Chris Norman are legitimate All-Big Ten performers as well.

Allen is a physical specimen that can chase down any running back (hits like a lineman), and that will allow the new defensive linemen to tee off on poor offensive linemen, running backs and quarterbacks.

They showed on the national spotlight against the Georgia Bulldogs that they can compete with anybody on the planet. The part that is even more amazing is that MSU was down 16-0 in the first half and had another struggling, tough game from Kirk Cousins. Yet, he overcame the doubters and found a way to will his team to victory (well, sort of).

The bigger story was the defense for MSU because they shut down the Dawgs in the fourth quarter and in overtime, which is when it matters the most.

Throw in defensive backs Isaiah Lewis, Johnny Adams and Darqueze Dennard, and you have a secondary that is full of playmakers. Those guys will allow the defensive line to wreak more havoc, and Pat Narduzzi will be licking his chops if the stars continue to develop.

The Spartans are loaded with defensive stars, and if the offensive side of the ball can live up to its bargain, this squad could become a Rose Bowl darkhorse despite one of the tougher Big Ten schedules.