GREEN & WHITE FOOTBALL

'Coach' Knox hoping to be a big asset to MSU's defense

Chris Solari
Lansing State Journal
MSU's Damon Knox tackles South Florida running back Marcus Shaw (20) during the first half of their game in 2013.

EAST LANSING – Extra years have helped a number of Michigan State defensive tackles during the Mark Dantonio era.

Tyler Hoover got six. Joel Heath got five. Damon Knox is hoping to join them and to make the same impact those two did during their added time.

Knox is now a graduate student participating in spring drills as he awaits word from the NCAA on whether he will be granted a sixth season of eligibility. The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder played in just two games as a redshirt freshman before an unspecified injury ended that season, then missed time at the start of the 2014 season after surgery for a back problem.

“We call him coach Knox by trade,” defensive line coach Ron Burton said. “He’s been great in the room. He’s been great on the field. And we want that to continue in the fall, because it’s going to be necessary as we get ready for the season. He’s been a strong presence.”

Knox, who earned his degree in criminal justice in December, said he's had "nothing but opportunities here at Michigan State to better myself as a man and a football player. I just want to take advantage of every opportunity I get. Guys don’t get a sixth year, so this is something where I have to take care of my body, take care of my class – I have to take care of a lot of things that’s going to make me a better man. So I’m just taking my time and enjoying it.”

The Muskegon native said the NCAA process is “ongoing.” While he waits, he’s embracing the teaching role he watched Hoover take on after getting his sixth season in 2013.

“(Hoover) was in the same situation I’m in, so he just told me to cherish every moment and take advantage of every opportunity I have to share with another guy on this team, which is exactly what I’ve been doing,” said Knox, who was part of that Rose Bowl season with Hoover in 2013. “Coming in with your class, that’s who you’re used to being around and spending your time with. Now that they’re gone, I’m building all these new relationships.”

Damon Knox (93) has been a teacher and mentor along MSU's defensive line for rising junior Malik McDowell (4) and the Spartans' other young players.

That includes playing mentor to the younger guys in his position group, such as Malik McDowell, Cassius Peat and Raequan Williams. He’s also ventured away from the defense, playing video games and watching film with junior quarterback Damion Terry. MSU coach Mark Dantonio said Knox has become a leader of the defensive line.

“It’s really been a teacher-like atmosphere for us being able to lean on him with all the young cats we got in the defensive tackle position,” Burton said. “The maturity level has really kicked in for Damon in where he’s going right now. He knows we’re only as good as our weakest link, and he’s helping us coach the kids up.”

When fully healthy, Knox has proven he can be a contributor. Knox played a full season for the second time a year ago and finished with 15 tackles while starting when Heath sat out against Maryland. Knox also got two starts in 2013 – his only other fully healthy season – when he produced 22 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss. He’s the leading candidate to replace Heath alongside McDowell in the starting lineup.

“Being an older guy, I think I put it on my shoulders that I have to be vocal and bring some enthusiasm to the field,” Knox said. “I think I’ve always had that nastiness to me, so I bring that. And that Spartan Dawg defense, we’re all about being nasty and flying around and hitting people. I try to bring that to practice and share it with my teammates.”

Green and White Game

► When: 3 p.m.

► Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing

► Admission: Free. Parking lots open at 10 a.m, and Gates B, C, E, J and K open at 1:30 p.m.

► TV: Big Ten Network

► Radio: Spartan Sports Network, including WMMQ 94.9-FM and WJIM 1240-AM

► Kids clinic: MSU’s coaching staff and players will hold their annual free youth football clinic. Children ages 8 to 12 are invited to attend from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and no registration is required. Parking Lots 79 and 56 will open at 9 a.m. for clinic participants. Last April, an all-time record 1,718 children participated in the annual youth football clinic.

► Banquet tickets: A limited number of tickets are available for Sunday’s Spartan Football Awards Banquet at the Breslin Center. Reception begins at 1:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards program at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $50 each, and they are available at msuspartans.com.