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Michigan State Football: Final report card for 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off to La'Darius Jefferson #15 of the Michigan State Spartans against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off to La'Darius Jefferson #15 of the Michigan State Spartans against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan State. DEFENSIVE BACKS. B+. . DB

Paul Haynes did a solid job in his first season as defensive backs coach, replacing Harlon Barnett who left for Florida State’s defensive coordinator job. His unit got off to a shaky start against Utah State and Arizona State, but settled in nicely for the remainder of the year.

How good was this unit? It held Trace McSorley to 192 yards through the air, Heisman contender Dwayne Haskins to 227 yards and just one score and potential No. 1 NFL draft pick (if he declared) Justin Herbert to 166 yards and a touchdown on just 19-for-33 passing.

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Justin Layne had arguably the best year of anyone in the secondary, recording 72 tackles with a pick and 15 pass deflections. He did well enough to declare for the NFL draft a year early which is impressive seeing as he was a four-star receiver out of high school and is well on his way to contributing at cornerback for a pro team.

Josiah Scott missed a good chunk of the year due to an injury but came back with a vengeance, finishing with 13 tackles, seven pass deflections and two interceptions in just five games. Quarterbacks just don’t throw his way.

Lastly, David Dowell took a slight step back from his All-Big Ten season a year ago and Khari Willis had a heck of a year as the two safeties. Dowell finished with 59 tackles and two interceptions and Willis had a career season with 77 tackles, a pick and seven pass deflections. These guys still combined to form a deadly duo.

The only reason this position group didn’t receive an A is because of the first few games of the season when it struggled. The final numbers for the defensive backfield weren’t amazing, but effective enough to give this team chances to win each game.

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