CAREER NOTES: Three-year letterwinner played in 40 career games, including 38 starts at defensive tackle . . . powerful player recorded 107 tackles, with 27.5 resulting in losses (118 yards) including 12 sacks (78 yards); those marks rank among MSU's all-time leaders: tied for 12th in sacks and 13th in tackles for loss . . . also had six pass break-ups and three blocked kicks in his career.

2011 SEASON (JUNIOR): Named consensus first-team All-American . . . earned first-team All-America honors from The Associated Press, American Football Coaches Association, Walter Camp Foundation, Sporting News, CBSSports.com, NBCSports.com and Yahoo! Sports . . . All-Big Ten first-team selection (coaches and media) . . . became MSU's first All-America first-team selection at defensive tackle since Ronald Curl in 1971 and the school's first All-Big Ten first-team selection at the position since Travis Davis in 1989 . . . first Spartan defensive lineman to earn AP First Team All-America honors since Charles "Bubba" Smith in 1966 . . . also named a second-team All-American by Phil Steele . . . was one of 12 semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, one of 16 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, and one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy (Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year) . . . recorded a tackle for loss in nine of MSU's 14 games. . . had 30 tackles, including 10.5 for losses (42 yards) and 3.5 sacks (28 yards) . . . was also credited with 10 quarterback hurries and 14 QB hits during the regular season . . . his presence on the defensive line was one of the main reasons MSU led the Big Ten in total defense (277.4 ypg.) and rushing defense (100.5 ypg.) . . . recipient of the team's Most Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award (defense) . . . closed out his collegiate career in style by matching his career high in tackles (5) and tackles for loss (2 for 2 yards) in MSU's 33-30 triple-overtime win over No. 18 Georgia in the 2012 Outback Bowl . . . recorded two tackles, had a quarterback hurry, and broke up a pass on a two-point conversion against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game . . . had two tackles, including a 9-yard sack, in win at Northwestern . . . tied a career high with 2.0 tackles for loss (3 yards) against Indiana . . . named Spartan Defensive Player of the Week after helping limit Iowa to 87 yards rushing; blocked a field goal on the final play of the second quarter in MSU's 37-21 victory against the Hawkeyes . . . selected as a game captain vs. Nebraska . . . compiled three tackles, including one for a 2-yard loss, in victory over No. 4 Wisconsin . . . registered two tackles, including a half sack for 4 yards, in MSU's fourth-straight win over Michigan . . . produced two tackles, including 1.5 for losses and a 5-yard sack, in MSU's 10-7 win at Ohio State . . . recorded a 4-yard tackle for loss vs. Central Michigan . . . registered four tackles and recovered a fumble at Notre Dame . . . wore No. 95 against the Fighting Irish as a tribute to former Spartan All-American Bubba Smith, who passed away this summer; Smith's final collegiate game was the 10-10 tie in 1966 between No. 1 Notre Dame and No. 2 Michigan State . . . recorded a 10-yard sack in the win over Florida Atlantic . . . had two stops, including a half tackle for loss, and blocked an extra point in the season-opening win over Youngstown State.

PRESEASON NOTES: Featured on College Football Performance Awards Watch List for the Defensive Lineman of the Year Trophy . . . Preseason All-America selection by Playboy Magazine (first team) and Phil Steele's College Football Preview (third team) . . . ranked among the nation's top draft-eligible defensive tackles by Phil Steele's College Football Preview (No. 2) . . . also rated among the country's top defensive tackles by Lindy's (No. 😎 . . . preseason All-Big Ten selection by Athlon Sports (first team), Blue Ribbon Yearbook (first team), Lindy's (second team) and Phil Steele's College Football Pre- view (second team) . . . ranked the No. 3 defensive tackle in the Big Ten and also listed as one of five preseason candidates for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by ESPN.com . . . has impressed the coaching staff with his quickness and athleticism . . . described by Spartan defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi as "a big, explosive athlete, who has the ability to make plays in the offensive backfield."

2010 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): CollegeFootballNews.com All-Sophomore (second team) selection . . . honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and the media . . . named to Phil Steele's All-Big Ten third team . . . presented MSU's Outstanding Underclass Lineman Award (defense) . . . started all 13 games at defensive tackle in 2010 . . . led all Spartan defensive linemen with 40 tackles, with 8.0 for losses (42 yards) including a team-best 4.0 sacks (27 yards) . . . tied his career high with five tackles at Penn State, including a 4-yard sack . . . made four stops, including a half tackle for loss (1 yard), vs. Purdue . . . matched his career high with five tackles, including 1.5 for losses (6 yards) vs. Minnesota . . . recorded a career-high five tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss, and also broke up a pass at No. 18 Iowa . . . matched his career high with 1.5 sacks (12 yards) and credited with a quarterback hurry at Northwestern . . . produced three stops, including a half sack for 2 yards, vs. Illinois . . . posted three tackles, including a 9-yard sack against Denard Robinson, and blocked a field-goal attempt on the final play of the first half in a victory at No. 18 Michigan . . . contributed three tackles vs. No. 11 Wisconsin . . . registered three stops, including one for a 4-yard loss, and a pass break-up in the season opener vs. Western Michigan.

2009 SEASON (RED-SHIRT FRESHMAN): Earned first-team Freshman All-America honors from Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Rivals.com, CollegeFootballNews.com and Sporting News . . . named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team as selected by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Sporting News . . . midseason All-Big Ten first-team selection by Phil Steele . . . started 11 of 13 games in 2009 and ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (9.0 for 34 yards) and sacks (4.5 for 23 yards) . . . produced one tackle for loss in seven straight games during one stretch . . . finished second among defensive linemen in tackles (37: 19 solos, 18 assists) and production points (75) . . . placed sixth on the team in production points and 10th in tackles . . . recorded three tackles, including a half tackle for loss, in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl vs. Texas Tech . . . matched his season high with four stops vs. No. 13 Penn State . . . recorded four solo hits at Purdue . . . made four tackles and recovered a fumble at Minnesota . . . registered four stops vs. No. 7 Iowa, including a season-best two tackles for loss (5 yards) . . . posted three tackles, including 1.5 for losses (5 yards), and a career-best two pass break-ups at Wisconsin . . . tallied a season-high 1.5 sacks (8 yards) vs. Central Michigan . . . posted four tackles in his collegiate debut vs. Montana State.

2008 SEASON: Redshirted . . . selected Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week vs. Eastern Michigan.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rated among the nation's top defensive tackles by Rivals.com (No. 53), Scout.com (No. 78) and Scouts, Inc. (No. 93) . . . named to SuperPrep's and PrepStar's All-Midwest Teams . . . ranked among Ohio's top 50 seniors by Rivals.com (No. 30) and Scout.com (No. 34) . . . selected to play in the June 14 Big 33 Football Classic (Ohio vs. Pennsylvania) . . . Associated Press Division I All-Ohio and AP Southwest All-District first-team selections as a senior . . . also named to the Ohio News Network (ONN) All-Ohio Team in 2007 . . . two-year starter for Coach Jay Minton at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio . . . recorded 50 tackles, including 10.5 sacks, and 12 quarterback hurries as a senior . . . also credited with seven pass break-ups and two fumble recoveries in 2007 . . . produced 54 tackles, including four sacks, in nine games as a junior . . . played his freshman and sophomore years at Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton, Ohio, before transferring to Wayne . . . son of Stephanie Worthy and Bobby Smith . . . born April 28, 1990 . . . participates in Athletes in Action sports ministry . . . majoring in family community services.

Jerel Worthy – Michigan State – 6-2 – 308

Coming into the 2011 season, most scouts held a first round grade on Michigan State’s Jerel Worthy because of the talent, immense upside, and disruptive style of play that he brought to the table. One of the most talented defensive linemen in this year’s draft, Worthy is an extremely inconsistent player whose motor runs hot and cold, and simply plays when he wants to play. A three-year starter with 38 career starts for the Spartans, Jerel produced 107 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks throughout his career in East Lansing; the most productive season of his career came in 2010 during his sophomore year when he tallied 40 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks. Well-built with a very thick frame and great bulk for the position, Worthy has the long arms (33 inches) that you look for in addition to owning great natural strength. When his motor is running strong, Jerel can be as disruptive as any defensive tackle in the country, displaying good quickness off the ball with a violent punch at the point of attack. He has the strength and raw power to physically push the offensive lineman right off the ball and bullrush his way into the backfield. Worthy’s hand use is excellent, doing a great job of fighting off of blockers while displaying a pass rush repertoire that is far more advanced than you’d expect to see from an underclassman. He offers an impressive swim move to play over the top of smaller defensive linemen while also possessing a rip move needed to split the crease in the line and penetrate the line of scrimmage. After disengaging from the blocker, Jerel locates the ball quickly in the backfield and has proven to be a punishing tackler capable of crashing down on the ball carrier or quarterback and driving them into the ground. When he isn’t able to work his way into the backfield, Worthy does a nice job of getting his hands up to block passing lanes, having batted six passes down at the line of scrimmage in the past three years. In the run game, he does a great job even when still engaged with the offensive lineman to extend one arm out, grab ahold of the runner with his great strength, and drag the ball carrier to the ground before he can accelerate through the hole. Jerel’s short-area explosion is outstanding; he’s displayed the ability to cross the face of the offensive lineman and win the leverage battle at the line of scrimmage. Even when he doesn’t make the play, his disruption in the backfield often breaks up the offensive play and allows for one of his teammates to swarm to the ball. Jerel is one of the most frustrating players in the country to scout because of the way that he underachieved this season. He consistently takes plays off and his motor is either on or off; it’s as if he flips a switch when he wants to play, and that switch gets flipped too frequently. Worthy plays too wild without proper awareness and will not be one to ever chase down running backs on the perimeter. He understands leverage and how to play with proper positioning, however he does it too inconsistently and must improve on this in order to be a successful pro.

Originally Posted by: Arrigo 

Jerel Worthy Scouting Report By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:
Quick get-off
Speed to shoot the gap
Ability to collapse the pocket
Quality pad level
Bulk to hold ground against drive blockers
Strength to shed blocks
Can take over games and dominate for stretches
Durable, experienced 3-year starter
Passionate player who was devoted to his team



Weaknesses:
Lacks elite characteristics
Not consistent
Disappears at times
Needs to refine pass-rushing moves for NFL guards
Conditioning needs to improve
Bigger reputation than actual production

Summary: Worthy has been one of the better defensive tackles in the Big Ten over the past couple of seasons. In 2010, he notched 40 tackles with eight tackles for a loss and four sacks. Heading into the 2011 season, Worthy was in the running to be the top defensive tackle in the nation. However, he had an inconsistent season, and other defensive tackles passed him, like Penn State's Devon Still. Worthy had 3.5 sacks with 30 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss and two blocked kicks in 2011.

There were stretches in games where Worthy was utterly dominant. When he took on Wisconsin in two games, he would be blocked well for a portion of the game, before wrecking havoc in the backfield for a quarter. Worthy had underwhelming performances against Nebraska, Iowa and Notre Dame. He had a superb showing against Ohio State, and ended his career well against Georgia. Versus the Bulldogs, Worthy got the better of the matchup against Georgia center Ben Jones, a second-day prospect.

Worthy looks like he would be best as a one-gap penetrator in a 4-3 defense. He could play the three-technique in a Tampa-2 defense that requires a quick tackle to fire through the gap. Worthy is at his best when he is trying to get into the backfield to make plays. At the same time, Worthy is a quality run defender at the line of scrimmage. He holds his ground and doesn't get pushed around.

While Worthy probably is a better fit in a 4-3 defense, he could play the five-technique as an end in a 3-4. His ability to hold his ground could set the edge and free up outside linebackers. However, that may not be the best use of his talents.