Michigan State Football: 5 reasons the Spartans will win it all in 2015

Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Demetrious Cox (7) reacts to a play during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

5. Return of the ‘No Fly Zone’

When you think of Michigan State football over the past few years, you think of the vaunted ‘No Fly Zone’ led by guys such as Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 under the radar players for 2015

Now that all four of those guys have departed, paving the way for a new crop of defensive backs, the ‘No Fly Zone’ is in a bit of jeopardy. In fact, it was on the verge of being no more after last season when Drummond struggled a bit and new starting corner Darian Hicks was torched on a regular basis.

This season won’t be nearly as unsuccessful as last year’s 60th-ranked passing defense which gave up nearly 230 yards through the air per game — most of that came in games against Baylor, Ohio State and Oregon.

Redshirt freshman Vayante Copland was recently named the current No. 1 corner and Coach D had recently compared him to Darqueze.

Long-awaited new starter Demetrious Cox will take over the other cornerback position while highly-touted sophomore Montae Nicholson occupies free safety along with reliable senior RJ Williamson at strong safety.

This new wave of players in the secondary may seem like a vulnerability for the 2015 version of the Spartans’ defense, but in reality, there’s more talent in the defensive backfield than people really understand.

By the end of the year, we will be talking about how the ‘No Fly Zone’ is back.

Next: 4. Veteran leadership