A look at former Michigan State defensive lineman Jerel Worthy, whom the Green Bay Packers selected No. 51 overall Friday with the first of their two second-round picks in the NFL draft.
Position: Defensive end.
School: Michigan State.
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 308 pounds.
Highlights: First Michigan State defensive tackle to be recognized as a first-team All-American since Ronald Curl in 1971. Worthy declared for the NFL draft in January after his redshirt junior season. Ran the 40-yard dash in 5.08 seconds and posted a 28½-inch vertical jump. Did not lift at the combine because of a pectoral strain. … Played primarily defensive tackle at Michigan State, showed the ability to get penetration up the middle. Redshirted his freshman year in 2008. Was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week against Eastern Michigan while redshirting. Earned freshman All-American honors in 2009 after racking up 37 tackles, 4½ sacks and nine tackles for a loss. … Was presented with Michigan State’s Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award in 2010, as part of a unit that led the Big Ten and ended up sixth in the NCAA in total defense. . Led Michigan State with four sacks and also recorded 40 tackles as a sophomore. Tallied 30 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss in addition to blocking two kicks in 2011. Anchored a Spartans defense that finished first in the Big Ten in run defense and total defense as a junior. Started 38 of 40 games at defensive tackle and ranked 14th on the school-career record list with 12 sacks.
Strengths: Excellent size and natural girth. Is quick off the snap and very effective penetrating the backfield when he is slanting and stunting. Surprising initial quickness. Can be disruptive when he keeps his pads low and shoots gaps. Has enough size, mass and power to bull his way into the backfield and two-gap. Solid tackler.
Weaknesses: Average processing speed — can be late to find the ball (and looked like he was thinking too much as he tripped over a bag in combine drills). Too often coasted and took plays off — motor idles. Does not play with fire — mild playing temperament. Has underachiever tendencies — production did not meet talent. Struggles handling double-teams. Tired too easily and tended to wear down in games.
Noteworthy: Attended Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio as a freshman and sophomore before transferring to Wayne High School. Rated as the 53rd-best defensive tackle coming out of high school by Rivals.com. Named Associated Press Division 1 All-Ohio and Southwest All-District first team as a senior in high school. Majored in Human Development and Family Studies, with a minor in family community services at Michigan State.
— Quinn Cretton, qcretton@greenbaypressgazette.com
— Strengths and weaknesses according to Pro Football Weekly
Quotable
“They want me to be a complete football player. If I’m on the field for three downs, that’s what they want me to do. I just want to be able to come in and make an impact any way I can, whatever it is. Special teams or defense right away, anything I can do to impress the coaches and get myself on the field. “
— Jerel Worthy, Packers second-round pick
“He’s quick for a big guy. He’s got really good agility and excellent instincts. He’s one of the better players I have seen in a couple of years finding the ball really fast. I think he’ll add some juice to our front. He can get off blocks and do some of the things we ask him to do. He anticipates the snap count real well. He’ll be competing for all of the positions.”
— Mike Trgovac, Packers defensive line coach