Five Spartans have been named to The Associated Press All-Big Ten team, as voted on by a 27-member panel consisting of writers and broadcasters who cover the Big Ten. Junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, who also a first-team All-Big Ten honoree by the coaches and media, garnered first-team AP accolades, along with junior nose tackle Raequan Williams. Junior linebacker Joe Bachie, sophomore placekicker Matt Coghlin, and junior cornerback Justin Layne picked up second-team honors.
Tag: Justin Layne
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Justin Layne says he’s not thinking about NFL draft possibilities
At 6-foot-3, Layne has desirable length, along with impressive ball skills. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. last week listed Layne as the No. 10 cornerback available in April’s draft. “I’m just going to keep playing,” Layne said. “I’m not really thinking about that too much right now.”
Source: MLive.com
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Mel Kiper lists Justin Layne, Kenny Willekes among 2019 NFL draft prospects
Justin Layne and Kenny Willekes each have a season of college eligibility left. However, the Michigan State juniors were listed by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. among the top prospects at their positions for the 2019 NFL draft. Layne was listed as the No. 10 cornerback and Willekes the No. 10 defensive end available for April’s draft in his first list this fall of the top-10 prospects at each position. Neither has indicated they intend to leave Michigan State after this season.
Source: MLive.com
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Justin Layne embraces double duty for Spartans
Justin Layne might just put in a call to Tony Lippett at some point this week. As the Michigan State junior cornerback pointed out, it might not be the worst idea considering he is likely headed down the same path Lippett did as a senior on 2014 by playing both sides of the ball, mixing in time at cornerback late in the season while also playing well enough to eventually be named the Big Ten Receiver of the Year.
Source: Detroit News
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Michigan State’s injuries could make Justin Layne next CB-WR
It looked like a curiosity at first, an attempt to trick a rival. Justin Layne’s return to receiver, however, might be a necessity for Michigan State football. The junior cornerback had two passes thrown his way. The first just out of his reach. The second long and out of bounds. With the season-ending injury to Felton Davis III, there could be a lot more chances – and need – for Layne to become the Spartans’ next two-way player.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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Justin Layne faces another test with Indiana receivers
After shadowing an All-American, Layne gets to do it all over again, this time matching up with a talented cast of “physical” Indiana receivers. With Josiah Scott still sidelined because of a foot injury, Layne — and Josh Butler, Scott’s fill-in — will be tasked with limiting a rolling Hoosier team through the air.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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Justin Layne is key to victory over Arizona State
Believe it or not, Justin Layne is the key to beating Arizona State. The junior cornerback from Ohio has been an integral piece of Michigan State’s defense and that won’t change on Saturday as he’ll be tasked with shutting down the Sun Devils’ most prized offensive possession: N’Keal Harry.
Source: Spartan Avenue
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Michigan State’s Justin Layne has big test vs. N’Keal Harry
Justin Layne pushed and shoved with a Utah State wide receiver after one point Friday night and got a penalty flag. That is the type of toughness Michigan State’s junior cornerback will need from play to play — before the whistle, of course — when he faces a much bigger challenge in Arizona State’s N’Keal Harry.
Source: Detroit Free Press
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Justin Layne moving past skirmish and on to tough matchup vs. Arizona State
The video of Justin Layne’s skirmish with Utah State’s Ron’quavion Tarver shows the Michigan State junior defensive back throwing a punch in the first half of the teams’ Friday night season opener. The play resulted in personal fouls for both players. But despite some fears from fans, Layne was confident after the game that the skirmish wouldn’t result in any additional punishment from the Big Ten.
Source: MLive.com
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Despite Scott injury, MSU secondary could be best in Big Ten
While Michigan State needs to find a consistent rotation on the offensive line, depth behind LJ Scott and another edge-rusher opposite of Kenny Willekes, one thing is clear about this year’s Spartan group: the secondary should be the team’s deepest and most talented unit.
Source: Impact Sports
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Justin Layne refines technique, now a veteran in Michigan State’s secondary
Offense or defense? Wide receiver or cornerback? The options for how to deploy Justin Layne were debated by the Michigan State coaching staff and he ended up playing both ways as a true freshman. Now heading into his junior season, Layne is coming off a year in which he played exclusively at cornerback and senses the improvement. “I’ve grown a lot, not just on the field but off the field – just the little things,” he said. “I’ve got my whole overall football IQ better.”
Source: MLive.com
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Which Spartan has the best chance to win the Heisman Trophy?
No Michigan State Spartans player has ever won the Heisman Trophy. In fact, there have only been four players to even finish among the top four vote-getters for the award. However, there is no reason that streak can’t end this year.
Source: The Only Colors
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A ‘natural’ fit, Layne now leading MSU’s cornerbacks
Justin Layne no longer feels like a wide receiver playing cornerback. Not after starting 14 of his 22 career games at the position. “I feel like I finally reached a point where I’m done with that,” Layne said, adding the exact moment came around the Iowa and Michigan games near the midpoint of last season.
Source: Spartan Tailgate
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Is 2018 secondary Mark Dantonio’s best yet?
Returning are Justin Layne and Josiah Scott as the starting cornerbacks as well as David Dowell and Khari Willis starting at safety. Those four could all realistically make some all-conference team and they even have All-American potential. With another year of experience under their belts, they could help lead what could end up being Mark Dantonio’s best defensive backfield ever.
Source: Spartan Avenue
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From WR to CB, Justin Layne now key part of Michigan State’s highly-ranked secondary
One week after making the switch from wide receiver to cornerback last year, Justin Layne received significant news from Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio. The true freshman was going to make his first start. Midway through the first quarter, Layne jumped a route and picked off Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson for a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Source: MLive.com
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Justin Layne continues to emerge in the secondary
In a revamped Michigan State secondary, true-freshman Josiah Scott is getting all of the praise and looks. However, Sophomore Justin Layne has quietly been turning heads and is emerging into a “lockdown cornerback” himself.
Source: isportsweb
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Full-time switch to corner well-received by Justin Layne
Justin Layne insists he was just caught up in the moment, feeling the passion that is the rivalry between Michigan State and Michigan. It just so happens, the television cameras caught a quick glimpse of some of that passion as Layne, the sophomore cornerback, gave a quick choke sign to Michigan’s Eddie McDoom after the receiver dropped a pass deep in MSU territory on the final drive of the game. Three plays later, the game was over and Michigan State had won.
Source: Detroit News
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As Bowling Green nears, 6 MSU football players to keep an eye on
Following a substandard season in 2016, in which the Spartans finished with a 3-9 record and a troublesome offseason, the Spartans are less than two weeks away from beginning official gameplay, as the team will face Bowling Green at Spartan Stadium on Sept. 2.
Source: The State News
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2017 Michigan State football preview: The defensive backs
It’s been a while now since MSU’s defensive backfield was legitimately a “No Fly Zone.” If this is going to be the crew that begins to reclaim that reputation, it begins with sophomore Justin Layne and true freshman Josiah Scott at cornerback. Layne, a tall corner at 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, has shown a knack for the position.
Source: Lansing State Journal
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Assessing the Spartans’ secondary
Coming off a 3-9 season, Michigan State football is hoping to rebound in 2017. This season, though, one of the biggest weaknesses is their secondary. They have budding defensive backs in Justin Layne and true freshman Josiah Scott, but behind them, there’s not much. There is Tyson Smith, a player who was at one point highly-touted, but he is in the process of recovering from a stroke. While he seems to be healthy enough to play, no one will be able to tell how prepared he is to get back on the gridiron until the season starts.
Source: isportsweb