(Editor's Note: This is the fifth installment of positional previews.

Previous: The Breakdown: Quarterbacks; The Breakdown: Running Backs; The Breakdown: Wide Receivers; The Breakdown: Offensive Line)

Big Man on Campus: Will Gholston

Gholston is one of the bigger faces on an MSU football team in some time -- and already is a national name. This highlight reel tells the tale of why:

Simply put: Gholston is a monster. At 6-foot-7, 280 pounds, the junior defensive end is a force when he rushes the quarterback and when he gets there -- he hits hard. Few players can be compared to the late Bubba Smith, but the size is similar and the beastly talent is there in Gholston.

The preseason honors have poured in for Gholston, who is on the Bednarik, Nagurski and Lombardi award watch lists, and the media voted him as the preseason Big Ten defensive player of the year. He also is a big reason why ESPN's Big Ten Blog ranks Michigan State's defensive line as the second best in the conference heading into the season.

Buckle up, Spartan Nation, this probably is the last season to watch Gholston play in the green and white.

The next best thing: Anthony Rashad White, Marcus Rush, Tyler Hoover

Gholston's defensive end partner, Rush, had a solid campaign in 2011 as a redshirt freshman. After racking up 58 tackles and four sacks, he was named a freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News, while ESPN.com named him the Big Ten freshman defensive MVP.

White, who stepped in for injured defensive tackles Kevin Pickleman and Jonathan Strayhorn in the Outback Bowl, made his presence felt with the game-winning field-goal block. The seven tackles and three tackles for the loss in the big win against Georgia weren't too shabby, either. White's big presence will be necessary this year up front for MSU, as he is the likely replacement for All-American Jerel Worthy.

Hoover is moving inside after spending his first four seasons as a defensive end. He has added 20 pounds of muscle to his 6-7 frame and now checks in at 310 pounds, making him a sizeable player to plug up the middle and take up multiple blockers. Like White, Hoover's presence will be important for MSU as it replaces its top three defensive tackles.

**More after the jump**

Bears wide receiver Devin Thomas, a former Michigan State star, retired from football today at the age of 25.

"I have decided to retire from the NFL," Thomas posted on his Twitter.

Devin Thomas holds the MSU record for all-purpose yards in a season with 2,590. (State News Photo)

"God has blessed me w achieving a childhood dream. I want to give back to my hometown and coach/mentor kids so they can reach their own," he added.

Thomas won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants last season and signed with Chicago in the offseason.

According to Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago, Thomas had thought about retiring for a while, but once he returned to the "daily grind of camp," he made his decision.

"I mean, you know, football, it’s just a game," Thomas told the Daily News. "I enjoyed playing it for awhile. I had my greatest moments obviously with the Giants. I felt my spirit going other ways. I just felt it was a good time to let the game go. I think this is the perfect time."

Thomas retires with 43 receptions for 482 yards and three touchdowns -- all three touchdowns came in 2009 with the Washington Redskins. He also had a rushing touchdown in 2008.

His biggest mark in the NFL was the NFC Championship Game last season, in which he recovered two fumbles on sepcial teams.

Thomas broke out for the Spartans in the 2007 season, in which he became a big play threat and a dynamic kick returner player. He left after that year -- his junior season -- and was drafted in the second round by the  Redskins after making his mark on the MSU record book.

His 1,135 kickoff return yards set a Big Ten single-season record.

Thomas is tied with B.J. Cunningham for the most single-season receptions with 79, while he holds the record for all-purpose yards in a season with 2,590.

He also ranks sixth all-time at MSU in career punt return yards.

Signing day is still six months away but, as sports fan well know, recruiting has been in full swing for a while now. At the halfway point of the recruiting calendar, CBS Sports released "Halfway to Signing Day" in which it broke down thoughts on the recruiting classes by conference.

As no surprise, Michigan was ranked as the best class, but for MSU fans it is a welcome sight to see the Spartans class being considered as the "under-the-radar class."

Here is what Bryan Fischer had to say about Michigan State's recruiting efforts:

"Damion Terry is a nice addition at the quarterback spot and should fit in well to the Spartans' offensive system along with running back Gerald Holmes. The headliners of this still small group though are at linebacker in Jon Reschke and Shane Jones. Both players are flexible enough to play either inside or outside but really should shine as special teams mavens before becoming a starter in a year or two. Reschke in particular seems like a complete steal."

As Michigan State fans know, Mark Dantonio specializes in finding players who are under the radar, so these comments are right where you expect them to be. Also, as the title by CBS Sports serves to remind -- signing day is a long way off still.

The Spartans have 11 commits at this point in the process. The class is expected to number between 15-17, depending on attrition.

Looking for something new, I decided to give you guys -- my readers -- the chance to ask questions about MSU football and basketball. So, here are the questions you asked and my responses:

Any new commitments coming? -- Ben (@bennyv7684)Cass Tech's Dennis Finley could commit to MSU soon at a much needed position -- offensive tackle. (Fox Sports Photo)

I would have told you Devyn Salmon, but he already pulled the trigger. My gut says another one isn't likely until the season rolls around. I believe Alec James is looking to commit soon, and MSU is among his three leaders but it looks like Wisconsin will be his choice -- I could be wrong, though.

Keep an eye on the recruitment of athlete Delton Williams, offensive tackle Dennis Finley, defensive end Demetrius Cooper, and safeties Brandon Arnold and Marcus Ball -- those are five players who could commit to MSU. Williams has been a reported MSU lean for a while, but he encountered some legal trouble this summer. Finley has MSU among his favorites. In my opinion, Cooper is going to let his recruitment play out a little longer before a commitment -- his stock is on the rise and he might pull in more offers. Arnold won't visit until later in the season, while Ball could fill that spot at safety before Arnold visits.

How concerned should we be with OL/DL recruiting? -- Michael (@mike3fan)

A little bit on the defensive side MSU pulled its first defensive lineman in Salmon last week, and is in on some other talented prospects on the defensive side. As for the offensive side ... a little more concerned.

The fact that an MSU lean Riley Norman is reportedly going to stop playing football after high school is an unpleasant blow as he is very highly regarded as an offensive tackle prospect.

The aforementioned Finley is among the potential players MSU lands and Kyle Meadows is another tackle prospect to pay attention to -- if MSU doesn't land one of those players, well, that means the Spartans are looking at guys who were originally "plan C" players (if you will).

On the d-line, MSU is rather deep with youth already, so that side isn't as much of an issue at present.

Cooper is among the defensive ends that MSU has a good chance of landing -- Ruben Dunbar being another. Josh Augusta is a possibility at defensive tackle and a junior college option in Kyle Peko.

An interesting tidbit is that MSU is among the top five for the nation's top defensive tackle Montravius Adams. Are the Spartans likely to land Adams? Not really, pulling him from SEC country would be remarkable. Still, being in on a player of his caliber will resonate with other recruits.

(Editor's Note: Check back in the next couple weeks to see posts breaking down offensive line and defensive line recruiting. Both are in the works.)

**More after the jump**

The Spartans finally picked up a defensive lineman in their class of 2013 as Plant City (Tampa, Fla.) three-star defensive tackle Devyn Salmon committed to Michigan State on Tuesday, despite not having visited East Lansing yet.

Salmon is the 11th commitment in the 2013 class for the Spartans.

In an interview with Big County Preps, Salmon announced his decision.

"Michigan State is where my family's at, Michigan State is where my coaches are at, Michigan State is where the recruits are at and that's what's gonna help me get to the next level," Salmon said.

The 6-foot-1, 285-pound prospect stressed that his recruitment is over and 247sports reported he will visit Michigan State in September.

“I’m done with the recruiting process; I’m done with camps and I’m not taking anymore visits,” he said to 247sports. “I’m committed so it’s over with. Schools might call, but I’m a Spartan and I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’ve already ordered a hat and I’m about to order a shirt and some shorts. I’m excited to go back to [high] school and represent Michigan State.”

Salmon shows a great burst off the line in his highlights and he gets into the backfield quickly and often, especially in stopping the run. He had 90 tackles and two sacks as a junior.

Current Spartan tight end/defensive end Denzel Drove is a Plant City product, a school which also produced Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray.

Michigan State has been recruiting southern Florida hard in the past couple years, and had three commitments in the past two years (2012 - Macgarrett Kings, Ezra Robinson; 2011 - Juwan Caesar).

Plenty more offers are out to players in the class of 2013 in Florida -- 247sports says 24 total (most are committed elswhere now), the most of any state.

(Editor's Note: This is the fourth installment of positional previews.

Previous: The Breakdown: Quarterbacks; The Breakdown: Running Backs, The Breakdown: Wide Receivers)

Big Man on Campus: Chris McDonald

One sack. That is all McDonald allowed last season.

Chris McDonald, right, anchors a solid Michigan State offensive line.

This big man on campus is a little more true than the rest of them -- at 6-foot-5, 299 pound, McDonald will anchor the MSU offensive line this season. Entering his third season as a starter at right guard, McDonald is on the Outland Award watch list -- given to the best offensive lineman in the nation.

ESPN's Big Ten Blog ranks him as the fourth-best offensive lineman in the conference.

McDonald has started 17 games in a row and 26 overall at right guard.

The next best thing: Travis Jackson, Fou Fonoti, Blake Treadwell and Dan France

After a 2011 season with plenty of upheaval and inconsistenc on the offensive line, having returning players is a thing of beauty.

The other four starters on the offensive line all return with starting exprience. Treadwell began last season as the starting center, but went down with an injury and Jackson took over and established himself well.

Fonoti and France form a solid pair of tackles -- both upperclassmen and the returning tackles from last season.

The strength of this line is the ability to get downfield blocking -- Jackson and Fonoti both do a good job on trick plays and pitches at getting down the field.

**More after the jump**

After four players represented Michigan State on the Bednarik Award watch list and one on the Maxwell, the Spartans continued to be strongly represented on other award watch lists. Max Bullough was named to four preseason award watch lists. (MSU Photo)

Here is a breakdown of those players:

Nagurski (top defensive player): Johnny Adams, Max Bullough, Will Gholston

Lombardi (essentially top offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker): Denicos Allen, Max Bullough, Will Gholston, Chris McDonald, Marcus Rush

Thorpe (top defensive back): Johnny Adams, Isaiah Lewis

Butkus (top linebacker): Denicos Allen, Max Bullough

Mackey (top tight end): Dion Sims

Groza (top kicker): Dan Conroy

Outland (top offensive lineman): Chris McDonald

Walker (top running back): Le'Veon Bell

In total, Bullough leads the way as he was named to four watch lsits (Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe and Bednarik). Gholston, Allen and Adams each were named to three.

(Editor's Note: As more award lists are released, this post will be updated)

Michigan State is expected to have one of the top defenses in the nation in 2012, and it shows on the Bednarik Award watch list, given to the top defensive player in the nation.

The Spartans have four players on the list -- tied with Alabama and LSU for the most nationally. MSU cornerback Johnny Adams, right, is one of four Spartans on the Bednarik Award watch list. (Getty Images)

Headlining the list from MSU was junior defensive end Will Gholston.

Gholston was named second team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media in 2011 after recording 70 tackles, including 16 for a loss and five sacks in 2011. College Football News lists Gholston as its No. 5 candidate for the Lombardi trophy, as well.

Gholston was joined by senior cornerback Johnny Adams and junior linebackers Denicos Allen and Max Bullough.

Adams was a first team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2011 and, after deciding to return for his senior year, is coming in with high expectations. College Football News put Adams as a preseason third team All-American, while Phil Steele placed Adams on his second team.

Yahoo! Sports' Mike Huguenin ranked Adams as his No. 86 player in the country heading in to the 2012 season. Adams had three interceptions in 2011.

Allen burst onto the scene in 2011 with 83 tackles, including 18.5 for a loss. He also had 11 sacks on his way to being named second team All-Big Ten by the media.

Allen is ranked as No. 7 player on the list of Butkus Award candidates (top linebacker) by College Football News.

Bullough anchored the MSU defense in 2011, with 89 tackles, including seven for a loss. He was named second team All-Big Ten by the coaches. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Bullough as the No. 3 junior inside linebacker on his big board.

The watch list includes 14 players from Big Ten schools.

Le'Veon Bell made the Maxwell Award watch list, given to the top offensive player in the nation. Bell was named honorable mention All-Big ten by the coaches and the media.

Bell rushed for 948 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2011.