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Michigan State Football: 3 biggest concerns ahead of 2022 season

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed is lifted by offensive lineman J.D. Duplain after scoring a tying two-point conversion against Michigan during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021.
Michigan State wide receiver Jayden Reed is lifted by offensive lineman J.D. Duplain after scoring a tying two-point conversion against Michigan during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. /
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Oct 2, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver Craig Burt Jr. (2) cannot secure a one-handed catch attempt against Michigan State Spartans cornerback Charles Brantley (0) during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver Craig Burt Jr. (2) cannot secure a one-handed catch attempt against Michigan State Spartans cornerback Charles Brantley (0) during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

1. The secondary

Finishing last in passing yards allowed in all of college football last year was an eye-opener for Mel Tucker as he thought he had the pieces to really bring back the ‘No Fly Zone.’

Unfortunately, the additions of Charles Brantley, Ronald Williams, Marqui Lowery, and Chester Kimbrough didn’t have the immediate effect he would have hoped for. He decided to take over the cornerbacks, giving Harlon Barnett a nice assist after a nightmare season.

Although there isn’t much change in the secondary, Xavier Henderson, Angelo Grose, Williams, Kimbrough, and Brantley all return as potential starters and Ameer Speed joins the group after starting the 2021 season as a starter for Georgia. This group is only going to improve — it can’t get much worse — but will it be enough?

The front seven will be one of the better groups in the Big Ten, but that won’t mean much if the secondary is surrendering 300-plus yards per game.

This has to be the biggest concern heading into 2022.

Next. 3 burning questions for MSU football's 2022 season. dark

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