Michigan State Football: 5 potential breakout stars for 2017

Nov 26, 2016; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Saeed Blacknall (13) runs with the ball as Michigan State Spartans defensive back Justin Layne (39) defends during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions won 45-12. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

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Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

OK, this kid took me by surprise a little bit. We all heard about how Josiah Scott was a standout during winter conditioning and spring practice, but we didn’t get to truly see his progression until the spring game. Current and future teammates had been raving about him.

In fact, four-star linebacker commit Antjuan Simmons predicted a big career for Scott. Hunter Rison, a fellow early enrollee freshman, chimed in and agreed with Simmons, stating that big things are coming.

It seemed like two young guys just backing up their fellow freshman and making him look good. Who knew that what they were saying would be proven to be more than just words of encouragement during the spring contest?

Scott looked like an absolute stud and played the best of any defensive back in the spring game. He recorded an interception and the game-clinching pass breakup in the end zone. He looked like the next Darqueze Dennard. He showed good instincts, quick feet and hips and a nose for the ball.

Don’t look now, but the Spartans have a budding star at cornerback and he has yet to play a live-game snap.

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