Michigan State Football: 5 upperclassmen who need to step up in 2019

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 27: Cam Chambers #21 of the Michigan State Spartans makes a catch for a first down and tackled by Markus Bailey #21 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 02: Datrin Guyton #3 of the Bowling Green Falcons catches a first half pass next to Josh Butler #19 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Michigan State’s defensive backfield is facing a couple of question marks heading into the season thanks to two key departures.

First, will Xavier Henderson adequately replace Khari Willis at safety? The answer there seems to be yes based on Henderson’s talent level and athleticism at that position and he played well in limited time during the 2018 season.

Second, who will replace NFL-bound Justin Layne at corner? Josiah Scott is already starting on one side as one of the Big Ten’s top cornerbacks and senior Josh Butler is the projected starter at the other spot. He’s waited patiently for his opportunity and he’s had a decent, but quiet, career in East Lansing, but that will all change soon.

As the projected corner opposite Scott, Butler will need to step up in a big way to help replace one of the best defensive backs to play under Mark Dantonio (Layne).

If the secondary is going to have success in 2019, it’ll need to be because Butler rose to the occasion and became an all-conference performer.

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