Michigan State Football: 5 most intriguing freshmen for 2018

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the sidelines during the second quarter of the college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Watching Xavier Henderson’s ranking in the 2018 class drop was a bit of a head-scratcher, but it didn’t take away with the impressive high school career he had at Pickerington Central in Ohio.

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The 6-foot-0, 190-pound defensive back can play both cornerback and safety and he, too, enrolled early at Michigan State in January. He and Gervin could form one of the best secondaries in Mark Dantonio’s tenure in a couple of years, but for now, they’ll have to be OK with minimal snaps in a loaded defensive backfield.

No, they’re not exactly “buried” on the depth chart, especially since all Spartan fans know about them, but Henderson and Gervin will be in a major fight to earn reps.

Henderson has earned some high praise from the coaching staff this spring as a naturally-gifted athlete and could be well on his way to Big Ten accolades in year one.

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Justin Layne, Khari Willis, Josiah Scott and David Dowell are going to need breathers eventually, so keep an eye on Henderson to take advantage of his opportunities and prove himself as a future starter and potential junior/senior captain.

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