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Michigan State Football: Former walk-on DB Corey Pryor cracking rotation?

By Stephen Robb

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (6) is cover by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Vayante Copeland (13) during the second half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown (6) is cover by Michigan State Spartans cornerback Vayante Copeland (13) during the second half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Former walk-on defensive back Corey Pryor is making a push for playing time this fall for Michigan State football.

Corey Pryor, a former Jackson High School do-everything player, is making moves up the depth chart for Michigan State football in 2017. He is 5-foot-10, 182 pounds and I was surprised to see Pryor on the field when watching the Green & White scrimmage. I thought he played well but still could use some work yet he made the most of his opportunity.

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It’s interesting that Kaleel Gaines has moved from defense to offense. It essentially means that coach Mark Dantonio and his staff must be comfortable with the defensive backs and the recruits coming in and Pryor is a possible reason.

Pryor played predominately running back in high school, but also excelled at receiver, returner and defensive back. He’s an excellent athlete who was not only shifty in the backfield but a speedster as well. He possesses tremendous field vision and anticipation. He catches the ball well and is able to make adjustments in the air with his body. He was a playmaker for Jackson High and after last season’s poor play in the secondary, Dantonio needs a player like Pryor.

Next season will be Pryor’s third with the Green & White. He’s a workhorse type of player, who will give the Spartans all he has every play.

How do I know this? He had to earn his scholarship. It is easy to overlook this, but players on present and past teams that have had to earn their scholarships tend to have remarkable careers at MSU. For example, Blair White, Jack Conklin and now Cole Chewins (who is a starting tackle with great potential).

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Pryor is a tough player and will bring that mentality to a secondary, which can only get better after last season’s disaster.

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