Michigan State Football: 5 players who need big Redbox Bowl performances

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Cornerback Josiah Scott #22 celebrates with linebacker Antjuan Simmons #34 and safety Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans after intercepting a pass by quarterback Giovanni Rescigno #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Cornerback Josiah Scott #22 celebrates with linebacker Antjuan Simmons #34 and safety Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans after intercepting a pass by quarterback Giovanni Rescigno #17 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

3. Josiah Scott, CB

Justin Layne made the decision to pass up another year in East Lansing for the NFL draft and that leaves Josiah Scott as the main cornerback for the Spartans. More importantly, Scott has decided to burn his potential redshirt season by playing in the Redbox Bowl, and for that, he needs to have a big game to prove the Spartans will be just fine next season in the defensive backfield.

Layne will be sitting out the bowl game, leaving Scott and likely Josh Butler to start at the cornerback spots in the Redbox Bowl.

Scott may not make it the full four years at Michigan State and, like Scott, could be headed to the NFL after next season and he’ll need a strong finish to the 2018 season after missing the Spartans’ first eight games.

Momentum heading into the 2019 season would be ideal for Scott, especially since he was unable to get the same reps as his teammates. He had a strong finish to the regular season, but why not dominate in the Redbox Bowl to show that he’s worth NFL consideration and can lead the Spartan secondary?