Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: 10 potential 2017 NFL Draft picks

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 10
Next
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a pass and is tackled short of the goal line by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) in the second quarter 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; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) catches a pass and is tackled short of the goal line by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Demetrious Cox (7) in the second quarter in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Demetrious Cox entered his junior season in 2015 as one of those guys who could burst onto the scene and become a superstar in East Lansing. He was expected to help carry the torch of the ‘No Fly Zone’ and make opposing quarterbacks’ lives miserable. However, the 2015 season was disappointing for the secondary and Cox struggled with confidence.

No, he didn’t play poorly all the time, but he did have to switch between cornerback and safety a couple of times, messing with his mindset. He’s a natural safety and when he was playing cornerback, it was obvious he wasn’t fully comfortable.

Cox finished the season with 79 total tackles, seven passes defended and three interceptions. Not bad numbers for a first-year starter who was expected to be the next big thing at safety.

Too many deep routes got past him and opposing quarterbacks sometimes had a field day because of missed assignments between him and Montae Nicholson. That will change this year with another year under his belt. Confidence comes with experience, and Cox will have both of those in 2016.

The senior safety will put those struggles behind him and look toward gelling with his fellow defensive back mates to bring back the vaunted MSU secondary. I could see him being a sixth round pick.

Next: 4. Riley Bullough

Home/Spartans Football