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Michigan State Football: Projected Spartans’ 2-deep depth chart for 2019

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Tyler Johnson #6 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers carries the ball for a touchdown against Josiah Scott #22 of the Michigan State Spartans during the fourth quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Spartans defeated the Gophers 30-27. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Defensive Backs

Starting cornerbacks: Josiah Scott, Josh Butler
Backups: Shakur Brown, Kalon Gervin

The defensive backfield was the “weakness” of the defense last season, if you can even call it that. The Spartans’ numbers against the pass were not nearly indicative of how talented and effective this unit was. They ranked somewhere in the middle of the nation in passing defense, but played much better than the numbers suggested.

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Josiah Scott is back and healthy to start the year and he’s an All-American candidate who could be the Spartans’ next Thorpe Award winner and he’ll be joined by senior Josh Butler who is replacing Justin Layne who left early for the NFL.

Butler will have his work cut out trying to hold off guys like Shakur Brown and Kalon Gervin who have both had strong springs and have been fast risers. The potential for both backups is endless and there’s also Christian Jackson, Tre Person, Julian Barnett and Davion Williams to keep an eye on.

Starting safeties: Xavier Henderson, David Dowell
Backups: Dominique Long, Michael Dowell

Khari Willis, like Justin Layne, is off to the NFL and will be tough for the secondary to replace both as an elite defender and leader. He’ll be replaced by budding star sophomore Xavier Henderson who had 15 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss last season but he’s barely scratched the surface. David Dowell will be at the other safety spot as a returning starter and former All-Big Ten first-teamer who had 59 tackles, two interceptions and two pass deflections in 2019.

Dowell’s younger brother, Michael, is a name to watch as a backup safety and could even be in charge of filling David’s shoes next season. Dominique Long is also a solid pick for backup but he’s been more of a special team star in his Spartan career to this point.

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