MSU's Mark Dantonio wants best players on field, whether 4-3 or 3-4

While Dantonio said that MSU will retain its base 4-3 defense, more 3-4 sets will be seen this season to take advantage of the talent the Spartans have at linebacker.

In addition to senior Greg Jones, who was named the conference’s preseason defensive player of the year for a second consecutive year, the Spartans have fifth-year senior Eric Gordon, fifth-year season Jon Misch, sophomore Chris Norman and true freshmen Max Bullough and William Gholston.

“I think that’s part of what we will be doing,” Dantonio said. “We’ll try and transition a little bit more towards doing that on run-pass downs, first and second down. But the bottom line is that we want to put our best players on the field at the same time. Linebacker is going to be a position of strength for us on defense.”

The Spartans unveiled some 3-4 sets in spring practice.

Bates, not Nichol: Senior punter Aaron Bates will represent MSU at Tuesday’s media sessions, replacing junior wide receiver Keith Nichol.

Jones and quarterback Kirk Cousins are the other two players in attendance.

“Looking at the whole situation -- I guess it was my fault -- I guess I reconsidered the thought,” Dantonio said. “I was a little bit projecting what was going to happen rather than allowing what has happened to really make the decision for me. I felt like Aaron Bates, being a four-year starter, having punted more in bowl games than anyone else in Michigan State history … he warranted us bringing a guy from special teams.”