Michigan State Football: 3 most heated position battles for 2020

3 of 4

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) /

2. Cornerback

Gone are Josh Butler and Josiah Scott which means the two guys who began the season as the No. 1 cornerbacks have moved on.

Butler graduated after an emotional career in East Lansing and Scott decided to declare for the NFL draft after three productive seasons with the Spartans. He probably could have used one more year to improve his stock to a 2-3 rounder, but he’s got NFL talent and teams will realize that soon enough.

So where does this put the cornerback situation? Well, there are a handful of guys vying for two spots and there’s plenty of talent.

Harlon Barnett will have a big decision to make regarding his cornerbacks, but he could choose from a veteran such as Shakur Brown or rising stars like Julian Barnett, Kalon Gervin, Christian Jackson, Davion Williams or Angelo Grose.

The Spartans have young guys with high hopes and expectations and a few redshirt sophomore who have been in the system long enough and know that their time could come sooner rather than later.

Who steps up and takes over the starting spots? My early bets are on Barnett and Gervin.

Home/Spartans Football