Michigan State Football: 10 potential 2017 NFL Draft picks

There’s a lot to like about Vayante Copeland. Michigan State fans only got to see a small sample size of him in 2015 due to his vertebrae injury in week two, but he’s an intriguing player, nonetheless.

Whenever Mark Dantonio compares a current player to one of the greats to ever suit up in the green and white, you know the kid is special. Last year in fall camp, Dantonio compared Copeland to former Thorpe Award winner Darqueze Dennard, according to Joe Rexrode formerly of the Detroit Free Press:

"“Vayante is very balanced, he is a very good tackler, he’s got great ball skills — he reminds you a little bit of Darqueze Dennard in terms of how he carries himself and his competitive nature,” Dantonio said. “He is pushing to be a No. 1. I really feel like he is in the mix.”"

That was some high praise and he certainly showed off in his first two career games before the injury. He recorded seven tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception and a pass deflection. That put him on pace for about 49 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, seven interceptions and seven passes defended.

Imagine he could put a full season together as a redshirt sophomore; he might just wind up being one of the top two cornerbacks in the Big Ten next season.

There’s a small chance he leaves next season after just one full year of starting in college, but there’s always that chance. If he leaves after a solid year, he’s a mid-round pick, but if he stays until his junior or senior year, he’s a first day kind of pick.

Next: 8. Tyler O'Connor