MSU Football Position Group Breakdown: Cornerback

Michigan State has a new position coach and mix of experience and youth in a cornerbacks room that knows it needs to improve in 2023...

Author:
Aedan Mulcrone
Publish date:
Aug 24, 2023 5:32 PM EDT

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Michigan State Spartans

Football is right around the corner. Michigan State is on a mission to bounce back this season after falling short of their goals in 2022. Getting back on track starts against Central Michigan on Sept. 1.

MSU’s defensive unit as a whole is looking to improve. Injuries and suspensions plagued the Spartans throughout last season. With nearly everyone back, Michigan State looks to make a jump.

Today’s is a position group that had mixed results last season. While the Spartans think they have found some answers, the cornerbacks room is still unproven.

Projected Starters

Much like the safeties, this group as a whole is young. New cornerbacks coach Jim Salgado was brought in to help develop this young core. With the slate wiped clean for all players, everyone has a fresh start to make an impression on their new position coach.

Junior Charles Brantley returns with the most experience. The 6-foot, 170-pounder has started 12 games over the last two seasons and has been a hard-hitting corner for the Spartans. Redshirt junior Marqui Lowery is another player with some experience. He returns after battling through injury for most of last season.

A new face with experience is Iowa transfer Terry Roberts. The sixth-year senior gradually saw more playing time every year for the Hawkeyes, but never earned a full-time starting role. After these three veterans, the rest of the cornerbacks are mostly young and inexperienced.

Redshirt freshman Caleb Coley will get his opportunity to make an impact this season. With tremendous speed, the 6-foot and 185-pounder made noticeable progress in the spring and fall camp. If he’s not a starter, Coley will at least be a consistent contributor. Additionally, sophomore Dillon Tatum played significant snaps towards the end of last season. He is a player to watch out for on defense this season.

The corners improved a year ago, but need to take another step forward in 2023. Of the corners named, I predict a starting combination of Brantley, Coley, and Tatum to begin the season.

Under the Radar Player

Part of head coach Mel Tucker’s recruiting strategy is pedigree, pertaining to the high school programs players come from. Sophomore Ade Willie fits the bill of pedigree, having played his high school ball at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. — one of the premier high school programs in the country.

Given the high-end high school competition Willie played against, he could be ready to break the rotation and contribute in just his second season in East Lansing. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound corner has the measurables to make an impact. He will contribute on special teams this season and could prove his worth from there. Willie is another young player that could become more well known this season.

How This Group Can Improve

Everyone knows the pass defense isn’t where Michigan State wants or needs it to be. Every part of the defense can be held accountable for that, but what can the corner’s do to help the defense improve? With a new cornerback’s coach and a young group, this is a great time for the Spatrtans’ secondary to establish an identity or re-establish an old one like the ‘No Fly Zone’.

Playing the matchups will also be important. Teams like Washington, Maryland and Ohio State will throw the ball as much as possible. While Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan will try to run the ball more. Getting the right corners on the field in the right situations, or grinding guys with a good mix of physicality and coverage skills, will be the key for Salgado to get the cornerbacks back on track.

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