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Michigan State Football: 3 breakout candidates on defense for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2020; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the first half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ronald Williams Jr. (22) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Ronald Williams Jr. (22) against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker was a position that needed to be addressed this offseason with all the attrition and lack of depth but the other main area of need was cornerback.

The Spartans lost a handful of corners from last year’s team including Shakur Brown, Julian Barnett, Davion Williams, and Christian Jackson and they needed to reload the position group and Mel Tucker did just that this offseason with Charles Brantley, Khary Crump, Chester Kimbrough, Marqui Lowery Jr., and Ronald Williams Jr.

The latter is the most intriguing incoming cornerbacks along with Kimbrough and Brantley and it looks like Michigan State has a few first-year defensive backs who could break out.

Williams Jr. came over from Alabama and that’s a pretty good sign that his talent was elite coming into last season because, well, Nick Saban recruited him. He didn’t play much during the Tide’s national title season, recording one tackle in two games.

I could see Williams Jr. getting a starting nod this season and really turning into one of the better cornerback transfers in the country, living up to that lofty JUCO ranking in 2020 (the No. 3 JUCO cornerback in the country).

A Williams Jr. and Kimbrough combo would be fun.

Next. 5 MSU football targets who could commit in July. dark

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