Jones mulling early jump to NFL

All-American linebacker has until Jan. 15 to make decision

San Antonio — Greg Jones has a big decision to make.

The NFL could be calling for MSU’s consensus All-American junior linebacker and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year — and he’s going to listen.

Jones told the media following Saturday’s Valero Alamo Bowl that he will sit down with his family and consider declaring for April’s NFL Draft.

“We’re going to look at a lot of pros and cons,” Jones said. “We’re going to try to sort it out.”

Players receive projections about where they’re going to end up in the draft to help them make a decision. Jones said he’d need to have high first round projections to leave MSU and that he “probably” wouldn’t go if he was projected in the second round.

“We’re going to try to make an educated decision,” Jones said. “Nothing drastic, not anything like that whatsoever. I feel like we’re doing it and we’re getting closer to a decision as a family.”

At the same time, Jones said the discussions with his family have been confusing and surreal.

“I didn’t think it would ever get here,” Jones said.

He said he’s talked to former MSU players Devin Thomas, Javon Ringer and T.J. Duckett about the decision.

Underclassmen have until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft. Jones said he hopes to make a decision one to two days before that date.

“I’m kind of right in the middle right now, for sure,” Jones said.

Jones, one of four team captains, was all over the field against Texas Tech on Saturday. He finished the season with 154 tackles. He now has 359 for his career. If he does leave, his presence will be missed next year, sophomore quarterback Kirk Cousins said.

“I haven’t had a personal conversation with Greg about that issue because of the job we had at hand,” Cousins said. “I assume that’s something the coaches will talk to him about and he’s obviously put a lot of thought into it and will continue to do so, but I’ll probably talk to him and see where he’s coming from there.”

Opponent support
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio gave his support to Texas Tech interim head coach Ruffin McNeill for the full-time job after the game. McNeill took over for Mike Leach, who was fired Wednesday for improper treatment of an injured player.

“I don’t know how it’s going to go because it’s not my business, but I think relationships that players have with coaches is key to winning,” Dantonio said. “Continuity is key to winning and I’ll leave it at that, but we played against a good coach and a good football team.”

Up until Monday, McNeill was Texas Tech’s defensive coordinator. That all changed when Leach was suspended and subsequently fired amid controversy in something that became a national story.

“This was the most challenging week I’ve had in my 29 years of coaching,” McNeill said. “It was a fun challenge, though. This was the most rewarding night I’ve had in my coaching career. I love those players.”

Awards
Texas Tech quarterback Taylor Potts was named the game’s Offensive MVP after throwing for an Alamo Bowl-record 372 yards and two touchdowns. Red Raiders defensive back Jamar Wall was named the Defensive MVP. He recorded six tackles with an interception and two pass breakups, including one that saved a touchdown.

“I was so excited we won this game,” Potts said. “It was awesome, it really was awesome. This whole week has been crazy, but this team, the type of team that we have, we never gave up, never lost focus, never thought about losing … all we wanted to do was win and that’s what we did.”