Michigan State Football: 5 defensive players with most to prove in 2019

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) /

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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) /

One of the last players to commit to Michigan State’s 2017 class, Shakur Brown was looked at as a kid with elite athleticism and potential to surprise some folks. He has all the tools necessary to be a solid cornerback, but needs to show some consistency.

Brown has been dubbed a potential breakout player for the last two years and has shown flashes, but there’s hope that he will step up and prove that he can replace one of Michigan State’s two potential departing cornerbacks — Josh Butler and Josiah Scott (assuming he leaves early) — next season.

Can he crack the two-deep depth chart at the cornerback position this fall? It’s possible, but he needs to showcase more consistency and patience.

The sophomore cornerback finished with six tackles and a pick-six in the 2018 season but he just didn’t live up to his sky-high potential. There’s still time for him to do just that, but the 2019 season is as crucial as any for him to prove himself.

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