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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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 17: Safety Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans tackles punt returner Stanley Morgan Jr. #8 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers after a fair catch call as a penalty flag is thrown in the second half at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Does Xavier Henderson really have something to prove as a rising star in the secondary? He showed just why he was rated so highly as a four-star at the high school level during his freshman season in 2018 but the reason he’s No. 1 on this list is because he has some major shoes to fill.

Yes, we all know Henderson can be a great safety, but he has to prove he’s worthy of replacing Khari Willis who was a great leader on and off the field.

In fact, Willis was a senior captain who eventually earned himself a fourth-round draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts after being looked over out of high school. Henderson is the opposite. Everyone is expecting Henderson to do great things, but living up to that will be tough.

Henderson needs to prove that he can handle that pressure as a true sophomore and take over the starting safety spot next to David Dowell seamlessly.

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Some of the players with the most to prove have a ton of talent but just need to show that they won’t be overcome by the spotlight.

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