Michigan State Football: All-time Spartan team
Cornerback(1): Darqueze Dennard
If you try to disagree with this one, you will be forced to live in Spartan exile forever. OK, I’m just kidding, but if you’ve watched Michigan State football for decades, Darqueze Dennard has to be that one player who really sticks out in the defensive backfield.
Heralded as a two-star recruit, no one wanted to offer this kid a scholarship, but the unbelievably wise Michigan State staff under Coach Dantonio saw something in Dennard while playing high school ball against Keith Mumphery in Georgia that they really liked. They offered the young corner a scholarship and he accepted. It turns out that partnership worked out perfectly for both parties.
Also being looked at as a receiver, it was clear the coaching staff wanted him on defense and that’s where he excelled from 2010-13. During his freshman season, he received very little playing time and fans didn’t know much about him. He recorded 11 total tackles, but his three interceptions opened some eyes — especially the one he returned for a touchdown.
In 2011 as a sophomore, Dennard really stepped his game up, earning more playing time and finishing the year with 42 tackles and three picks yet again — his biggest interception came in the Outback Bowl which he returned for a touchdown and it sparked an MSU comeback win over Georgia.
As a junior, he had 52 tackles and three picks and his senior year consisted of 60 tackles, three interceptions and yet another returned for a touchdown. He also deflected 26 passes over his final three years at Michigan State.
Dennard was named to the All-Big Ten first-team twice, he was a consensus All-American in 2013, he won the 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, he was awarded the Jim Thorpe Award and Jack Tatum Trophy for the top defensive back in college football and he led the Spartans to two Big Ten titles and a Rose Bowl victory.
This physical, hard-nosed cornerback wasn’t afraid to hit and he was known for being stuck like glue to receivers, making for some long days on offense. Darqueze was drafted 24th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Next: Cornerback(2)