Michigan State Football: Top 50 players of all time

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) during warmups before the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

43. Trae Waynes

On our All-Time Spartan Football Team in which our writers voted on last week, Renaldo Hill, not Trae Waynes was named the second best Michigan State cornerback ever. After reviewing what each of them brought to the table, Waynes passed up Hill as the second best at the position at Michigan State and really helped turn Michigan State into a national power.

If Hill were on a successful team such as the 2013 and 2014 Spartans, he would have a good chance to be on this list, but for now, he’s just an honorable mention.

Waynes played three seasons at Michigan State and wasn’t exactly considered an elite prospect out of high school, but exceeded expectations, just like his cornerback mate for two seasons, Darqueze Dennard.

The current Minnesota Vikings cornerback and first-round draft pick played very little in his first season at Michigan State, but broke out as a sophomore, recording 50 tackles and three interceptions and had a solid junior season with 46 tackles and three picks, entering the NFL Draft a year early.

Waynes was dubbed an All-American and All-Big Ten player, considered one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in school history. He could guard any team’s best receiver and his side of the field was rarely targeted.

Next: 42. Eric Allen