Michigan State Football: 5 second-year players who’ll break out in 2017

How can you not be a fan of Justin Layne? He came to Michigan State as a four-star receiver from Ohio and looked like he might just be the best wide out of the class. However, he was sitting while watching his fellow freshmen play through the first few games and you can bet he was getting antsy.

When approached by Dantonio to play a different position that would instantly help out the team and get him onto the field as soon as possible, Layne jumped at the opportunity. That’s what a team player looks like.

Although he had dreams of being a star receiver for the Spartans, which still could happen, he switched his focus to defense and eventually became a starting cornerback. In his first career start, he picked off Northwestern’s Clayton Thorson and took it to the house. That could be a sign of things to come.

There’s a chance he could play both ways this season, in Tony Lippett fashion, but currently he’s a cornerback first. He finished his freshman season with 18 total tackles, 1.5 for loss, a pass deflection and interception for touchdown. He’s on his way to stardom as a sophomore.