Lawrence Thomas has made 'huge, huge strides,' according to Pat Narduzzi

The Michigan State Spartans are busy preparing for a battle with the TCU Horned Frogs in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, and MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi is excited about the progress Lawrence Thomas has been making on the practice field.

Mark Synder of the Detroit Free Press notes that Thomas has been shifted from linebacker to fullback to defensive tackle over his first two seasons with the team, but he also provides some intruiging quotes from Narduzzi on Thomas:

"He's made huge, huge strides," Narduzzi said at MSU's bowl media day. "You wonder why he didn't play early for us defensively? He's banged up, playing in the fire the first time, playing linebacker, then adjusting to playing defensive end. Just a toughness factor. Every day, he came out and said, 'Coach, I can't go, I can't go.' And at the end of the day, he makes it through practice. Mentally, he's a lot tougher than he was.

"And athletically, you watch him run, and there's no doubt that he could ever play defense. I think he's going to be a great player, and I've told this to him a year ago, and I told him when I moved him to fullback: He will be an all-conference defensive lineman. Whether it's an end or a tackle, I don't know. But he will be an all-conference lineman for us, without a doubt."

MSU head coach Mark Dantonio told media members that Thomas will play at defensive tackle and fullback in the bowl game, so it should be interesting to see what type of impact the young man can make on both sides of the ball.

Here is some additional information on the upcoming bowl game:

Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl | TCU Horned Frogs vs. Michigan St. Spartans | Dec. 29, 10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN