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Michigan State Football: Predicting depth chart following spring game

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) runs off the field during the 2nd half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) runs off the field during the 2nd half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) gestures to the sidelines during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darian Hicks (2) gestures to the sidelines during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback

Projected Starter: Vayante Copeland, Sophomore

There might not be a member of the secondary who fans are more excited to see than Vayante Copeland. Heading into his redshirt sophomore year, the starting cornerback will be coming off a vertebrae injury that sidelined him from the Oregon game on last year. He has shown flashes of Darqueze Dennard and could help bring back the ‘No Fly Zone’.

Projected Starter: Darian Hicks, Senior

Darian Hicks is the safe pick to start at the corner position opposite Copeland, especially since he has the most experience of the group. The senior corner has received his fair share of criticism throughout the past two years, even leading to his benching, but he improved drastically at the end of 2015.

Rotation: Josh Butler, Freshman (RS)

I’ve been hearing nothing but good things about Josh Butler. The Mesquite, Texas, native was the third prospect from the Lone Star State to commit to MSU in the 2015 class, redshirting in his first year. Expect him to contribute early and often in 2016.

Rotation: Tyson Smith, Sophomore

Tyson Smith’s redshirt was burned last season against Maryland and it was due to the injuries in the secondary. Whether it was because he’s just that good or because it was a time of desperation remains to be seen. He, too, could be in the regular rotation.

Rotation: Jermaine Edmondson, Senior

Flashes of solid play were accompanied with difficulties in coverage for junior Jermaine Edmondson in 2015. He’s now back with another year under his belt and he should know what to expect moving forward.

Reserve: Kaleel Gaines, Freshman (RS)

Ranking as one of the top safeties in the country coming into the 2015 class, Kaleel Gaines is one of the more intriguing players who is buried on the Spartans’ depth chart now at corner. He likely won’t see extended time until next season.

Reserve: Austin Andrews, Freshman

Another guy who I fully expect to redshirt in his true freshman season is Austin Andrews from Ohio. Major talent, but can’t waste a year of eligibility to just sit him on the bench.

Next: Safety

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