Michigan State linebacker Ed Davis was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA on Friday. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio confirmed the move with a tweet.
Ed Davis gets his 6th year! #BACK2BACK #V4MSU! pic.twitter.com/CqEWUPzrHi
— Mark Dantonio (@DantonioMark) September 9, 2016
“We’re very excited to hear the news about Ed Davis receiving his sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA," Dantonio said. We felt all along throughout this process that Ed would get an opportunity to play this season once the paperwork was submitted and reviewed. Ed fulfilled his requirements by earning his degree this summer, so it’s great to see him get rewarded after missing all of last year with a knee injury."
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Davis, who redshirted his freshman year, started 12 games for the Spartans in 2014. He then missed the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL suffered in preseason camp.
Since graduating with a degree in sociology in August, Davis has been practicing, hoping he would be able to make an impact for Michigan State this season.
Now that the decision is official, the Spartans' already formidable defense just got a little more frightening.
"He's going to bring a great ability on third downs," junior linebacker Jon Reschke said via the Detroit Free Press. "He's an unbelievable pass rusher and one of the best we got. That's exciting.
"It definitely makes it easier for me to play (with Davis on the field)."
Davis has 80 career tackles, including 16.5 for losses and 11 sacks, in 40 career games. He was also named to the 2016 Lombardi Award preseason watch list.