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Michigan State Football: How 2018 recruiting class fits into current roster

By Michael Briggs

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mark Dantonio looks on after defeating the Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: Head coach Mark Dantonio looks on after defeating the Washington State Cougars 42-17 in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Cornerbacks

Signees: Kalon Gervin (Composite four-star, 0.9251), Davion Williams (Composite three-star, 0.8815), Christian Jackson (Composite three-star, 0.8784)

Like the linebacker group, this freshman cornerback unit looks right on-brand for Michigan State. All three are tall, physical and highly-regarded players who should help spark the return of the “No-Fly Zone”. As the highest-rated of the group and an early enrollee, Kalon Gervin appears to have the inside track to immediate playing time, but he has stiff competition in front of him. Both Josiah Scott and Justin Layne return to hold down their starting spots, but Gervin might be too game-ready to keep on the sidelines. He will get snaps — how many depends on him.

While Davion Williams has as much potential as anyone in this recruiting class, he is still relatively new to football, as he only started playing his junior year of high school. Because of this, it would probably be in his best interest to take a year to redshirt and develop. Christian Jackson, meanwhile, has the size and ball skills that will make it tough to keep him off the field. There just might be too much returning depth in front of him to waste a year of his eligibility, though.

Safeties

Signees: Xavier Henderson (Composite four-star, 0.8981), Michael Dowell (Composite three-star, 0.8817)

Both Xavier Henderson and Michael Dowell project to be multi-year starters for the Spartans once they learn the ropes. Henderson, who was Trenton Gillison’s high school teammate, has the athletic ability to see the field elsewhere, too. Whether or not those tools prove valuable enough to avoid a redshirt remains to be seen, though.

As the brother of two current Spartans, Dowell certainly has a leg up on the other signees. It may not be enough to push for a role in the deep MSU defensive backfield this year, but you can be sure he will see the field early on in his Michigan State career.

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