Our Worthy chat (before an hour-worthy chat)
Boy, do we have a lot to talk about during today's 10 a.m. chat. An impressive MSU basketball win in the Big Ten opener. MSU's fast (and smart!) linebacking trio. Jerel Worthy's insistence that his future isn't determined yet. Here's the full Q&A with Worthy and reporters on that topic from after Wednesday's practice:
Are you sick of being asked about it?
“I mean, it comes with the territory. I’m kind of just trying to take it all in stride a little bit. I know I’ve got a big decision to make here in the next couple weeks or so. Right now I’m just trying to focus on a bowl win, man. For this team, for this program it would be huge to get a quality bowl win against a quality team. So it’s really just trying to focus on that. Just having fun with my teammates while I can. I never know whether or not if it’s gonna come to an end, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment, every step of the way.”
So you haven’t decided yet?
“No sir. It’s a hard choice because you come to work every day with such a good group of guys. You’re around a great coaching staff every day. Great support staff and great fan base. So it’s definitely a hard decision to make. I know at the end of the day I’ve kind of got to base it off myself, my personal reasons as well as my family. It’s never always about the money, it’s more about the opportunity that comes your way. So I’m just trying to take it all in stride a little bit. But at the end of the day, I think whatever decision is made will be the best decision possible.”
Will you get feedback, a draft grade from the NFL before deciding?
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll go based off a grade and how the guys at the next level see me and see my talents. Kind of get a lot of criticism back from them, whether or not I should stay and enhance my talents a little bit more. Or whether or not I should take the opportunity. I just kind of take it all in stride. Right now I’m kind of like on a vacation business trip a little bit. So I’m just trying to enjoy my time down here with my teammates, enjoy every step of the way and have a good time.”
If you get a second round grade will you still go?
“I have no clue. I would have to talk about it with coach (Dantonio). I would have to talk with him and get advice from a lot of guys that have been in my position before. And just kind of make the best decision possible.”
If you get a first round grade, does that clinch it?
“No I wouldn’t say it would be a clincher, but it would definitely kind of boost it a little bit. At the end of the day, man, I’m just trying to have fun and play ball and just really enjoy the experience.”
So you won’t make the decision until after the bowl game for sure?
“I’m not making my choice until after the bowl game, after I sit down with my parents and coaches. With my support staff back at home and kind of get my grade and get a lot of criticism back on where guys at the next level see me as far as the round and playing time and stuff like that.”
Is Dantonio helping you?
“Definitely. He’s been a great supporter in this event, in this process. He just tells me, ‘At the end of the day you’ve got to make the best decision possible for yourself, for your family.’ And whatever decision I make, he backs me 100 percent. Obviously as a coach of a great program like Michigan State, he’d love to see me come back. But if in fact I don’t, he’ll definitely back me 100 percent. So I’m walking through it step by step. This whole process is confusing, this is a new journey for me.”
Do you approach this bowl game like it could be your last game?
“I approach every game like it could be the last game, speaking of injuries and things like that. That’s how I approach every game, personally. But this game, it’s special just because of the fact we’ve worked so hard. I’ve been a part of a great coaching staff, been a part of a great defense this season. And I’m just really trying to go out on a good note this year. So whether or not this is my last game, I’m just gonna try to enjoy it and play to the best of my ability.”
Do you think you’re ready for the NFL?
“I mean, who’s to say, man. I just try to go out there and have fun. When I get in my zone, I know I’m one of the best defensive linemen in the country. And I just have to start playing a lot more consistently. … If God tells me to go and I pray about it and my support staff and everything backs me, I’m gonna go. But if I pray about it and I feel a little uncertainty, then I’m gonna come back. … I’m kind of 50/50 as far as my decision and I’m just gonna enjoy the process.”
How aggressive have the agents been?
“Oh, man. It’s crazy. It’s crazy how the game has changed a lot as far as that goes. I’m just trying to keep my nose clean from that. There’s a lot of players around the country that have kind of got mixed up in that situation and I definitely don’t want to bring a black eye to this program or to any of my teammates. So I’m just trying to take it all in stride and when that time comes as far as picking an agent, whether it’s this year or next year, I’m gonna do it the right way.”
“I mean, it comes with the territory. I’m kind of just trying to take it all in stride a little bit. I know I’ve got a big decision to make here in the next couple weeks or so. Right now I’m just trying to focus on a bowl win, man. For this team, for this program it would be huge to get a quality bowl win against a quality team. So it’s really just trying to focus on that. Just having fun with my teammates while I can. I never know whether or not if it’s gonna come to an end, so I’m just trying to enjoy every moment, every step of the way.”
So you haven’t decided yet?
“No sir. It’s a hard choice because you come to work every day with such a good group of guys. You’re around a great coaching staff every day. Great support staff and great fan base. So it’s definitely a hard decision to make. I know at the end of the day I’ve kind of got to base it off myself, my personal reasons as well as my family. It’s never always about the money, it’s more about the opportunity that comes your way. So I’m just trying to take it all in stride a little bit. But at the end of the day, I think whatever decision is made will be the best decision possible.”
Will you get feedback, a draft grade from the NFL before deciding?
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll go based off a grade and how the guys at the next level see me and see my talents. Kind of get a lot of criticism back from them, whether or not I should stay and enhance my talents a little bit more. Or whether or not I should take the opportunity. I just kind of take it all in stride. Right now I’m kind of like on a vacation business trip a little bit. So I’m just trying to enjoy my time down here with my teammates, enjoy every step of the way and have a good time.”
If you get a second round grade will you still go?
“I have no clue. I would have to talk about it with coach (Dantonio). I would have to talk with him and get advice from a lot of guys that have been in my position before. And just kind of make the best decision possible.”
If you get a first round grade, does that clinch it?
“No I wouldn’t say it would be a clincher, but it would definitely kind of boost it a little bit. At the end of the day, man, I’m just trying to have fun and play ball and just really enjoy the experience.”
So you won’t make the decision until after the bowl game for sure?
“I’m not making my choice until after the bowl game, after I sit down with my parents and coaches. With my support staff back at home and kind of get my grade and get a lot of criticism back on where guys at the next level see me as far as the round and playing time and stuff like that.”
Is Dantonio helping you?
“Definitely. He’s been a great supporter in this event, in this process. He just tells me, ‘At the end of the day you’ve got to make the best decision possible for yourself, for your family.’ And whatever decision I make, he backs me 100 percent. Obviously as a coach of a great program like Michigan State, he’d love to see me come back. But if in fact I don’t, he’ll definitely back me 100 percent. So I’m walking through it step by step. This whole process is confusing, this is a new journey for me.”
Do you approach this bowl game like it could be your last game?
“I approach every game like it could be the last game, speaking of injuries and things like that. That’s how I approach every game, personally. But this game, it’s special just because of the fact we’ve worked so hard. I’ve been a part of a great coaching staff, been a part of a great defense this season. And I’m just really trying to go out on a good note this year. So whether or not this is my last game, I’m just gonna try to enjoy it and play to the best of my ability.”
Do you think you’re ready for the NFL?
“I mean, who’s to say, man. I just try to go out there and have fun. When I get in my zone, I know I’m one of the best defensive linemen in the country. And I just have to start playing a lot more consistently. … If God tells me to go and I pray about it and my support staff and everything backs me, I’m gonna go. But if I pray about it and I feel a little uncertainty, then I’m gonna come back. … I’m kind of 50/50 as far as my decision and I’m just gonna enjoy the process.”
How aggressive have the agents been?
“Oh, man. It’s crazy. It’s crazy how the game has changed a lot as far as that goes. I’m just trying to keep my nose clean from that. There’s a lot of players around the country that have kind of got mixed up in that situation and I definitely don’t want to bring a black eye to this program or to any of my teammates. So I’m just trying to take it all in stride and when that time comes as far as picking an agent, whether it’s this year or next year, I’m gonna do it the right way.”
My favorite part: The use of the term "support staff." Talk to you at 10.
