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Michigan State Football: Top 3 All-Big Ten candidates on defense for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan StateÕs Xavier Henderson, center, and the Spartans get prepared before the game against MichiganÊon Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.201031 Msu Um 012a
Michigan StateÕs Xavier Henderson, center, and the Spartans get prepared before the game against MichiganÊon Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor.201031 Msu Um 012a /
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Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker talks near safety Xavier Henderson (3) at the team’s practice facility Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in East Lansing.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker talks near safety Xavier Henderson (3) at the team’s practice facility Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 in East Lansing. /

Xavier Henderson is an interesting player heading into the 2021 season. He has had a couple of big years in a row but he hasn’t truly had that “breakout” season where he becomes an All-Big Ten player. He has put up some solid numbers but he’s on the verge of a Khari Willis-type senior season, in my opinion.

Henderson is surprisingly ahead of pace in terms of comparing to what Willis did at Michigan State and that’s even with a COVID-19-shortened 2020 season.

I think 2021 will be his best season yet.

Fresh off 124 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups over the 20 straight starts, Henderson looks poised to become the star of the defensive backfield. And he’s already a leader judging by the fact that Mel Tucker picked him to represent the Spartans at Big Ten Media Days.

If Henderson can build on what he’s done over the past two seasons, he’s going to have a big senior year. He just needs to work on his coverage skills and ability to diagnose plays but he’s right there and an All-Big Ten selection isn’t far off.

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