NCAA grants sixth year to MSU lineman Brandon Clemons
EAST LANSING – Brandon Clemons received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA on Tuesday, meaning Michigan State will retain the services of an expected contributor along a depleted offensive line.
Clemons graduated in December with a psychology degree, and he will pursue a second degree in sociology this fall. He is projected as a starter at right guard for the Spartans, who lost Jack Conklin, Jack Allen and Donavon Clark to the NFL this spring.
“Brandon Clemons adds a great deal of experience and stability to the offensive line,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said in a release. “I believe the team is only as good as the seniors. Brandon has been part of a winning culture here the past five years and we’re excited he’s getting the opportunity to maintain that level of excellence for his sixth season. He’s everything you’re looking for in a quality student-athlete. He earned his degree last year and will be a go-to guy in the offensive line room this season for our football team.”
MSU defensive tackle Damon Knox won’t return for 6th year
Clemons has played in 32 games over the past three seasons, including 13 in both 2014 and 2015, after being injured during his first two years at MSU. The 6-foot-3, 303-pound lineman from Milford, Pennsylvania, began his career as a defensive lineman before shifting to offense in 2014.
MSU is also waiting for linebacker Ed Davis to graduate this summer so he can appeal to the NCAA for a sixth season. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Davis, a projected starter at outside linebacker going into last season, tore knee ligaments and missed the 2015 season. He started 12 of 13 games in 2014 and earned All-Big Ten honorable mention after finishing with 58 tackles, 12 of them for a loss.
Dantonio said earlier this month that Davis is “on track” to graduate after the second summer session, which means MSU might not learn if he will receive a sixth year until after preseason camp begins in August.