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Michigan State Football: Report card for 2015 season

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) celebrates with safety Montae Nicholson (9) and cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) celebrates with safety Montae Nicholson (9) and cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Secondary: C-

Losing Trae Waynes definitely hurt this group. Last year’s No. 13 overall NFL Draft selection by the Minnesota Vikings would have made the Spartans’ secondary even better than it was in 2014, but the 2015 version was just not quite as good as it has been since about 2010 or 2011.

It all started against Western Michigan as the Spartans allowed 365 passing yards to Zach Terrell, but it was considered just a fluke as MSU would clearly play much better against other quarterbacks. However, the struggles continued and losing the best cornerback through the first couple of weeks, Vayante Copeland, to a season-ending neck injury was a tough blow.

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) in action against Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) in action against Alabama Crimson Tide in the second half of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Soon after, the Spartans lost starting strong safety RJ Williamson to a long-term bicep injury which kept him out most of the year but he returned for the Cotton Bowl — which proved to be of no extra help.

Montae Nicholson struggled so much that he was benched in the middle of the year before proving he was the best option at safety and took his job back from Khari Willis and Grayson Miller.

Demetrious Cox made a transition to cornerback, but struggled and when Darian Hicks returned from his illness/injuries, he moved back to his natural position of safety. Hicks played well to end the season, but Cox was still trying to figure himself out.

Arjen Colquhoun progressed impressively and was one of the most reliable members of the MSU secondary for the second half of the season while Jermaine Edmondson was shaky.

Overall, this group has a ton of room for improvement.

Next: Special Teams

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