Michigan State Football: Top 5 spring 2019 breakout candidates
Arguably the most anticipated recruit in the Spartans’ 2018 class, Xavier Henderson was basically a lock to see the field right away, and he did just that. He saw action in 11 games, finishing his freshman season with 15 total tackles and 0.5 for loss. He didn’t have a pick or a pass breakup, but he looked the part of the next great Michigan State safety.
Khari Willis is now gone which means that the starting job should be Henderson’s to lose. He’s just a sophomore, but the expectations surrounding him are huge.
The second-year defensive back has a strong 6-1, 200-pound frame that will adjust well to a starting role and he plays an aggressive style that will make fans get over the loss of Willis in a heartbeat. We will see just how vocal of a leader Henderson can be, though.
Learning behind Willis for a year and soaking in some information from All-Big Ten safety David Dowell will be helpful in his transition to a starting role but this kid didn’t need much tweaking in his game or his style.
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Henderson will be just a sophomore, but with a strong spring under his belt, he could become a future captain candidate and set himself up for an All-Big Ten caliber 2019 season.