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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2-deep depth chart projection for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State’s Xavier Henderson, right, closes in on Ohio State’s Chris Olave during the first quarter on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.201205 Msu Osu 040a
Michigan State’s Xavier Henderson, right, closes in on Ohio State’s Chris Olave during the first quarter on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.201205 Msu Osu 040a /

Secondary

Starting cornerbacks: Kalon Gervin, Angelo Grose
Backups: Charles Brantley, Antoine Booth

Remember when I said that the linebacker position was concerning because of a lack of depth? Well, the defensive backfield is arguably more concerning. Kalon Gervin might be the only lock as a starter and I could see Angelo Grose sliding into that starting role on the opposite side despite playing a lot of nickel last year. The future for Grose is incredibly bright and he reminds me a lot of Josiah Scott.

With a lot of corners transferring (Julian Barnett, Chris Jackson, Davion Williams), the backups will be super inexperienced with freshmen Charles Brantley and Antoine Booth getting early shots.

Starting safeties: Xavier Henderson, Darius Snow
Backup: Kendall Brooks, Michael Gravely

The safety spot might be a little better here for the Spartans with Xavier Henderson back as the leader of the defense with the most experience. He was third on the team in 2020 with 41 total tackles and he could be the steady force this unit needs. I’m predicting he’ll be joined by redshirt freshman Darius Snow who played sparingly in 2020.

Michigan State just landed a D2 safety prospect by the name of Kendall Brooks who will undoubtedly provide much-needed depth and incoming freshman Michael Gravely will also be solid. Not elite, but good enough.

Starting nickel: Michael Dowell
Backup: Darius Snow OR Angelo Grose

Michael Dowell played a lot in the nickel role as a sophomore and I could see him staying there or maybe even moving over to safety to switch with Snow. Either way, there are a few candidates who could play this new role in the 4-2-5 defense. Grose could also play here but he’s needed more at cornerback.

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