Michigan State Football: Darqueze Dennard to start for Bengals
Former Michigan State football star Darqueze Dennard is listed as the Bengals’ starting cornerback in Week 1.
Making it in the NFL isn’t easy. Just ask Darqueze Dennard. After getting drafted No. 24 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, the former Michigan State football star has had to fight for playing time in the Bengals’ secondary.
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Although he hasn’t become the full-time starter right away like he had hoped, the former Spartan cornerback has earned himself a spot in with the rest of the No. 1s in Week 1.
The Bengals take on the Baltimore Ravens Sunday and it looks as if Dennard will be taking over the starting cornerback spot alongside Dre Kirkpatrick, according to the depth chart.
Darqueze Dennard named a Bengals starter for week 1! #Spartan4Life
— MSU Football Club™ (@MSUFootballClub) September 6, 2017
Dennard is starting in place of Adam Jones who has been suspended to start the year, but it’s unclear whether he will hold onto that job. Jones seems to always be getting into some sort of trouble, so this could be a slight punishment — especially if Dennard plays well enough.
Some think that William Jackson III will push Dennard for time in Week 1 as the former first-round pick from 2016 is poised to make an impact. Cincinnati has plenty of young depth in the defensive backfield, but this could be the opportunity Dennard needs to finally cement himself a spot in the starting lineup.
Next: MSU Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017
It’s good to see former Spartans standing out in the NFL after a tough go of things with rookies not making teams (Josiah Price, Riley Bullough) and other veterans being cut (Shilique Calhoun, Jeremy Langford).