Michigan State Football Positional Breakdown: What to Expect From the Secondary

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We are down to the final two positional groups in our nine-week Michigan State football positional breakdown.

This week, we turn our attention to the defensive backs before wrapping up the series next week with special teams and the coaching staff.

The Spartans enter the season with a daunting 20-man secondary loaded with cornerbacks and safeties ranging from freshmen to graduate players. The group consists of one graduate, six seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and seven freshmen.

Michigan State's secondary has the potential to be one of the more experienced and important groups on the roster. Between returning starters and transfer portal additions, there is plenty of experience throughout the room.

The continuity on the coaching staff could be just as important. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and safeties coach James Adams both opted to remain with the Spartans despite the coaching change, giving Michigan State valuable continuity on the defensive side of the ball.

Meanwhile, cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat comes over from Iowa State, where he helped the Cyclones finish No. 1 in the country in pass defense in 2024.

The combination of coaching, experience and playmaking ability makes this a group Michigan State should lean on heavily. The secondary has the potential to control games, but it will also be relied upon to protect leads late and prevent opposing offenses from marching down the field through the air when the pressure is at its highest.

CORNERBACKS

Projected Starters

Tre Bell — Senior, 2026 Transfer

Bell enters the season as Michigan State's highest-rated cornerback. Last year with Iowa State, he recorded 38 tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass deflections and two interceptions over 638 snaps.

That was more snaps than any returning Michigan State defensive back played last season, giving Bell the experience needed to immediately step into a major role for the Spartans.

Charles Brantley — Senior, 2026 Transfer

After spending the first two seasons of his career with the Spartans, Brantley transferred to Miami last year, where he played just 31 snaps and recorded one tackle.

Now back at Michigan State, Brantley will look to return to the form that made him one of the Spartans' top defensive backs. During the 2024 season, he recorded three interceptions for Michigan State and showed the type of ball-hawking ability this secondary will need.

The Rotation

  • Tyran Chappell — Sophomore, 2026 Transfer
  • NiJhay Burt — Senior, 2025 Transfer
  • Khalil Majeed — Senior
  • Keshawn Williams — Sophomore
  • Andrew Brinson IV — Sophomore
  • TJ Umenyiora — Freshman
  • KJ Deriso — Freshman
  • Jeremiah Favorite — Freshman

SAFETIES

Projected Starters

Nikai Martinez — Senior, 2024 Transfer

The glue guy and vocal leader of Michigan State's defense, Martinez made a strong impression during Media Day and will look to rebound from an injury-plagued junior season.

Martinez was recently named one of the Spartans' six captains and recorded 24 tackles over 197 snaps last season. If he can stay healthy, his leadership and experience could be invaluable for a secondary with plenty of new faces.

Devin Vaught — Junior, 2026 Transfer

Vaught arrives at Michigan State after playing 708 snaps for Maine last season. He finished the year with three interceptions, including a pick-six.

His ability to find the football and create turnovers could be imperative to Michigan State's success. The Spartans will need their secondary to capitalize when opportunities arise, and Vaught has already shown he can be a true ball hawk.

Michael Richard — Senior, 2026 Transfer

Yes, this is the third safety listed as a projected starter, and no, Michigan State will not be starting three traditional safeties.

However, Richard could slide into the nickel position and provide the Spartans with another experienced defensive back on the field. Last season at Louisiana Tech, he recorded three interceptions over 603 snaps.

The Rotation

  • Aveon Grose — Senior
  • Caleb Gash — Junior
  • Evan Young — Sophomore
  • Deuce Edwards — Freshman
  • Brayden Thomas — Freshman
  • Eliyjah Caldwell — Freshman
  • Jonathan Granby — Freshman

The Secondary Has to Be Michigan State's Difference-Maker

This group, as a unit, needs to be hands down the best defensive group on the team.

As much as Michigan State will rely on its pass rush, the experience, leadership and turnover ability in the secondary may ultimately be what gives the Spartans a chance to win some of the games they are currently predicted to lose.

The return of Rossi and Adams brings valuable continuity, while Poteat adds a new voice with an impressive track record. Add in the intensity expected from new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and it points to one thing: high expectations for Michigan State's secondary.

This group has the experience. It has proven playmakers. It has transfers who have produced at a high level.

Now, it has to prove it can become the backbone of a Michigan State defense that could depend on its defensive backs more than any other positional group in 2026.

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