Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: What’s on a Spartan fan’s ideal Christmas wish list?

By Emmett Matasovsky

Sep 25, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans punter Bryce Baringer (99) punts the ball during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans punter Bryce Baringer (99) punts the ball during the third quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 9
Next
Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham (1) and defensive back Dillon Tatum (21) warm up before the game against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham (1) and defensive back Dillon Tatum (21) warm up before the game against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. /

3. Defensive backs

After having the worst pass defense in the FBS in 2021, we assumed the Spartans would have nowhere to go but up. Unfortunately, the sequel to 2021 was just as bad for the once proud “No Fly Zone.” There were signs of improvement this year, however. After losing our best coverage linebacker (Darius Snow) and team leader Xavier Henderson for a chunk of the season, the Michigan State coverage was picked on early and often.

This year is a tale of two seasons.

To begin the year, Ameer Speed, Chester Kimbrough, Charles Brantley, Angelo Grose, and Justin White all faced the scrutiny of opposing quarterbacks and let up catch after catch. Michael Penix Jr. lit up the Spartans as the stepping stone towards his season that ultimately resulted in a top-10 Heisman finish, with Kimbrough being publicly called out by the announcers and being benched for White who started the next game against Minnesota, where he was part of a group effort that turned Tanner Morgan into prime Tom Brady.

Grose had a lackluster year at safety and was moved to nickel for the next few games. Jaden Mangham slid into a full-time starting position beside Henderson’s replacement, Kendell Brooks. Mangham was then injured against Ohio State and this put White back on the field. White and Brooks could not hold the secondary down and nearly everyone was calling for Scottie Hazelton’s head.

Then, the second half of the season started, and things appeared to be on the upswing. In a loss to Michigan, the Spartans had Henderson back and appeared to be recovering. Grose and White were part of the tunnel fight and were suspended, meaning that the season opener against Western Michigan was the only time the secondary was fully healthy for any quarter this season. Despite these losses, the secondary got better and Mangham developed into his role with Malik Spencer also shining in his limited playing time.

The Spartans bring in Chance Rucker and Eddie Pleasant III in this year’s class, but both are primarily cornerbacks. Considering the loss of Henderson and Brooks to graduation, another safety would be nice. The Spartans also lose Speed and Ronald Williams, as both are out of eligibility. Kimbrough is a senior and may not be back, and Khary Crump is suspended eight games in 2023, pending a court date for a felony charge due to his role in the tunnel incident as well.

The Spartans brought in Malcolm Jones, Mangham, Dillon Tatum, Ade Willie, Spencer, and Caleb Coley in the last recruiting cycle. It might be too much to ask for another freshman defensive back to develop, but after watching Kimbrough, Williams, White, and Speed all struggle after their transfer, I would prefer and high school recruit than taking another chance on the portal.

As I am writing this, the Spartans just landed former Wisconsin defensive back Semar Melvin. Despite my comments about the transfer players struggling, I am intrigued by Melvin. Plus, with another back to hopefully help the secondary, we are quite closer to me having a very Green, Merry Christmas.

Christmas-wise, a defensive back for Christmas would be like a video game, no one knows how much they will be used.

Home/Spartans Football