Michigan State Football: 3 most heated position battles for 2020
![Shakur Brown and Xavier Henderson, Michigan State football (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) Shakur Brown and Xavier Henderson, Michigan State football (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/460394b4ceaf2b09dcc48ef42eeb6b655566122a554bb7d965f6e14d695a946f.jpg)
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.