Michigan State Football: 5 things to watch for in 2019 spring game

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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 20: Shakur Brown #29 of the Michigan State Spartans fumbles the ball during a punt return while being tackled by Jordan Glasgow #29 of the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 21-7. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Replacements for Justin Layne, Khari Willis

When Justin Layne’s career began, if he said he would only be staying three years and then he’d head off to the NFL, everyone would have expected it’d be as a wide receiver.

Layne was one of the most highly-touted receiver prospects in the 2016 class, choosing Michigan State over a multitude of other top programs. He joined a class with three other four-star wide outs and the coaching staff saw potential in him to play on the defensive side of the ball right away and he transitioned to cornerback in year one.

Now he’s a fringe first-round draft prospect and will be heading off to the NFL as a defensive back along with senior safety Khari Willis who also exceeded expectations on the defensive side of the ball after coming to East Lansing as an “athlete” recruit.

Who replaces these two All-Big Ten performers in the defensive backfield?

At cornerback, it could be Josh Butler leading the way as a senior, but don’t sleep on Davion Williams, Kalon Gervin, Tre Person or Shakur Brown. As for Willis’ replacement, it could be Xavier Henderson or maybe even Michael Dowell — the youngest Dowell brother.

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