Former Michigan State DE Will Gholston ready to 'explode' this season with Tampa Bay Bucs
Will Gholston, a former Michigan State defensive end entering his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, believes this could be a breakout season for him. (Josh Slagter | MLive.com) June 16, 2015 EAST LANSING — Will Gholston has heard the word "potential" since he was the No. 1-ranked player in the Great Lakes State coming out of Detroit Southeastern High School and a consensus top 50 national recruit in 2010.The 6-foot-7, 281-pound Gholston was constantly reminded of his upside while starting 24 of the 36 games he played at Michigan State before turning pro after his junior year.He heard about his potential again when Tampa Bay made him the 126th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2013 draft.Gholston's message on Saturday while back at Michigan State for the Spartans' one-day camp is that this is the season that peak performance replaces that other "P" word."I'm tired of hearing 'potential' — I want to live up to that potential and establish myself,'' said Gholston, who's entering this third season with the Buccaneers. "I'm trying to explode on the scene and show my ability."I don't want to be the guy who made it to the NFL on potential. I want to be the guy who is in the NFL playing and doing the things people expect me to do and the things I expect to do. I think I can do that this year.''Gholston started nine of the 15 games he played last season, finishing with 42 tackles and two sacks. As a rookie, he started the final two games of the 2013 season and had 30 tackles and two sacks.The transition from college to the professional ranks was a difficult one."It was basically a different position my first year (because) I was head up over the tackle the majority of the time,'' said Gholston, who spent his time with the Spartans as a defensive end. "Last year I was back on the edge — I'm more comfortable on the edge.''Gholston will be returning to the same defensive scheme after having to learn new defenses each of the past two seasons."The mentality is to trample the run on the way to the quarterback,'' Gholston said. "The physical transition to the NFL wasn't as hard for me, coming from Michigan State, but there's a mental aspect for every rookie, a few days where you have to get an understanding with how fast it goes with the adjustments, knowing what the snap counts will be like, and learning to be ready at all times to be able to go."Around the eighth game of my rookie season I settled in.''Gholston's passion for the Spartans' football program was obvious on Saturday, as he still grows upset discussing the close losses that plagued his senior season.Gholston anchored one of the top 10 defensive units in the nation, but there were costly missed field goals that season. The offense struggled on account of multiple injuries on the offensive line and inconsistent play at receiver.A 7-6 Michigan State team lost five of its games in 2012 by a combined 13 points.Gholston and Le'Veon Bell saved their best for last, earning defensive and offensive player of the game honors as the Spartans finished with a hard-fought 17-16 win over TCU in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.It was an important win in that it preserved a bowl win streak that has reached a Big Ten-best four straight heading into this season."I'm glad I was a part of the foundation that helped put Michigan State where it's supposed to be,'' Gholston said. "There's satisfaction watching the team now, and it's exciting for me to see Shilique (Calhoun) and LT (Lawrence Thomas) have great seasons.''Gholston played a large role in both players choosing the Spartans, and he was also instrumental in their development in practices, setting a strong example in drill work."I love being here, I love coach Dantonio and I love the whole staff,'' Gholston said. "I'll do anything to come back here on campus, I just need a reason and I'll be here for them any time.''Gholston was one of eight active NFL players that attended the Spartans' one-day elite camp on Saturday, joining Cincinnati's Darqueze Dennard, Miami's Dion Sims and Tony Lippett, Chicago's Jeremy Langford, Arizona's Drew Stanton, New York's Kevin Vickerson and Philadelphia's Andrew Gleichert.Gholston has been involved in children's charities in the Tampa area according to his bio on the team's website, and he recently made news for paying back a good Samaritan who had helped him when he was in high school.link
