May 11, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State linebacker Eric Gordon, who averaged 9.0 tackles in three scrimmages, has been named to the All-Spring Team as selected by The Sporting News.

Gordon, a 6-foot, 225-pound red-shirt freshman, recorded 27 tackles in three spring scrimmages, including four for losses (21 yards). He reached double figures in tackles in each of the first two scrimmages. In the March 31 scrimmage, Gordon posted 10 tackles, including a 6-yard sack. In the April 14 scrimmage, he produced 12 stops, including two for losses (8 yards). The Traverse City, Mich., native contributed five tackles, including one for a 7-yard loss, in the April 21 spring game.

"Eric Gordon's biggest asset is his motor," Spartan linebackers coach Mike Tressel said. "He's an explosive player that can run, and he has a knack for always being around the football.

"Eric picked up the defensive system quickly this spring, which allowed him to start playing the game fast. Once he became comfortable with the system, Eric became a more confident player, so he finally was able to cut it loose on the field. That's when he really began to display his play-making ability."

Two other Spartans - running back Javon Ringer and wide receiver Terry Love - received All-Spring Team honorable mention.

Ringer, a 5-9, 202-pound junior, rushed 36 times for 218 yards (6.1 avg.) in three spring scrimmages. In the April 14 scrimmage, he carried 15 times for 130 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown run.

Love, a 5-11, 173-pound fifth-year senior, had 14 receptions for 172 yards (12.3 avg.) and two TDs in three spring scrimmages. He caught seven passes for 90 yards in the March 31 scrimmage, including a 41-yard TD strike from Brian Hoyer. Love also had a 13-yard TD grab from Hoyer in the April 21 spring game.