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.
5 positions Michigan State could boost with transfer additions
Updated Jan 28, 2021;
Posted Jan 28, 2021
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks on in the first quarter 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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And the Michigan State coach’s aggressive approach already paid off with roster additions.
There were six transfers added to the program as midyear enrollees earlier this month in quarterback Anthony Russo (Temple), offensive lineman Jarrett Horst (Arkansas State), defensive end Drew Jordan (Duke), running back Kenneth Walker III (Wake Forest), safety Kendall Brooks (Division II North Greenville University) and walk-on defensive back Spencer Rowland (Division III Wheaton College). Harold Joiner, a running back transfer from Auburn who committed to the Spartans in December, was not among those who enrolled for the spring semest