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Michigan State Football: Post 2022 National Signing Day depth chart projection

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State’s Xavier Henderson celebrates his interception with Kenneth Walker III during the second quarter in the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210911 Msu Youngstown Fb 176a
Michigan State’s Xavier Henderson celebrates his interception with Kenneth Walker III during the second quarter in the game against Youngstown State on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210911 Msu Youngstown Fb 176a /

Defensive Backs

Starting cornerbacks: Ameer Speed, Ronald Williams
Backups: Charles Brantley, Marqui Lowery

Michigan State added a big transfer in the secondary in the form of Ameer Speed who actually started some games for Georgia this past season. Any time you can add a player who started for a national champion and one of the best defenses in college football history, you have to feel fortunate. Ronald Williams returns after a decent season and I think he’ll only get better.

Charles Brantley could also start as he showed some flashes as a freshman and Marqui Lowery was an aggressive corner in coverage that also played well in spurts. I could see Caleb Coley getting some playing time here as well.

Starting safeties: Xavier Henderson, Angelo Grose
Backup: AJ Kirk, Jaden Mangham

Xavier Henderson gave Michigan State fans some great news this offseason, announcing his return for a fifth season in 2022. He’s the leader of this defense and will play to an All-Big Ten level and he could be the key to the secondary’s turnaround. Angelo Grose was slightly disappointing this past season but he has plenty of potential there. Mel Tucker needs the Sugar Weasel to step up.

AJ Kirk had a lot of hype coming in with the 2021 class and I could see him sliding into a backup role with Michael Dowell gone. And Jaden Mangham is one of my favorite incoming freshmen. The talent is there at safety, no doubt.

Nickelback: Darius Snow
Backup: AJ Kirk

Darius Snow played in just one game in Tucker’s first season and then absolutely broke out as a sophomore for the Spartans. He looked great at the nickel position, posting 87 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss along with a pick and two pass deflections. He was a revelation for the Spartans this past season.

Behind him, I think Kirk is good enough to be a backup in multiple spots.

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