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Arizona CB transfer Khary Crump didn’t hesitate to commit to Michigan State
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Former Arizona cornerback Khary Crump is transferring to Michigan State. (Photo from Mike Christy/Arizona athletics, republished with permission)Photo from Mike Christy/Arizona athletics, republished with permission
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Khary Crump was born and raised in California.
The former Arizona cornerback’s decision to transfer to Michigan State, however, was partially due to “family ties.”
Crump’s father was born in Pontiac and he has numerous family members who live in the state, including a grandmother and aunt in East Lansing. Those family connections resulted in Crump making a few visits to Michigan growing up and he returned to the state on Saturday, this time as a new member of the Spartans.
Rebuilding cornerback depth amid heavy turnover is top challenge for Michigan State’s secondary
Updated Mar 15, 2021;
Posted Mar 15, 2021
Michigan wide receiver Mike Sainristil (19) dives for, but misses, a catch against Michigan State cornerback Kalon Gervin (18) during their Big Ten football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Michigan State won the game, 27-24. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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defensive back
Justin Layne emerged as Michigan State’s top cornerback in 2018 and left after his junior season for the NFL draft.
That led to Josiah Scott taking over as the Spartans’ best cornerback in 2019 and he left after his junior year for the draft.
An early projection of Michigan State’s depth chart on defense and special teams
Updated Feb 17, 2021;
Posted Feb 17, 2021
Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson (3) runs to the locker room for halftime of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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Michigan State’s defense already faced a significant challenge.
The Spartans lost seven starters on that side of the ball – six of them three-year starters – from the 2019 team.
The process of retooling the defense came with additional complications as Mark Dantonio retired after 13 seasons leading the program and Mel Tucker was hired as his replacement. Like Dantonio, Tucker is a former defensive back and secondary coach by trade who worked under Nick Saban.
Recapping Mel Tucker’s first Michigan State recruiting class with hits, misses and top positions
Updated Feb 08, 2021;
Posted Feb 07, 2021
Avon QB Niko Pappas (18) gets sacked by Hoban DB AJ Kirk (1) during first half action at Byers Field in Parma in the game between Archbishop Hoban vs Avon, Div II Semifinals, November 13, 2020.David Petkiewicz, cleveland.com
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One recruit lost, another gained.
That was the result for Michigan State coach Mel Tucker on Wednesday, the first day of the traditional signing period for the 2021 class.
Rayshaun Benny, a four-star defensive tackle from Oak Park High School, flipped his commitment from Michigan State and signed with Michigan on Wednesday. Three hours later, Keon Coleman, a three-star wide receiver from Opelousas Catholic School in Louisiana, signed with the Spartans.