Will Michigan State's secondary return to ‘No Fly Zone’?

EAST LANSING – The neck brace is long gone. So are any lingering doubts about his injury.

Vayante Copeland said he is ready to help restore the reputation of Michigan State’s secondary, a unit that gained fame as the “No Fly Zone” with first-round picks Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes.

Copeland, a sophomore cornerback, suffered a fractured neck in the second game of the 2015 season against Oregon after a huge performance in the season-opener against Western Michigan. He recorded three tackles against the Ducks before being injured.

After recouping and playing in the spring game in East Lansing, Copeland has continued to get faster and stronger in his comeback, and said Thursday at fall camp that he couldn’t wait for the opener against Furman on Sept. 2 at Spartan Stadium.

“I’m really getting a little bit better every day,” said Copeland, who came from Thurgood Marshall High in Dayton, Ohio. “I’m trying to be physical and I’m progressing pretty good.”

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Along with fellow starting cornerback Darian Hicks and safeties Demetrious Cox and Montae Nicholson, the secondary has experience and high expectations.

MSU’s secondary coach Harlon Barnett was as pumped as his players following practice on Thursday.

“We are healthy and there is a lot of competition back there (in the secondary),” said co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett. “There’s a lot of experience back there, too, for having to play a lot of people (last season). There are a lot of people right now who understand the best players are going to play.”

Barnett is excited about the leadership provided in camp by Cox, Nicholson and Hicks.

“Darian, for example, is doing what is expected of a fifth-year senior,” Barnett said. “He’s helping others, calling out things before they happen, seeing things before they happen. He’s doing an outstanding job so far.”

Barnett said he was pleased “with the competition depth being built” into the secondary.

“Guys are flying around helping each other,” Barnett said. “Guys are working hard and understanding what is expected of them. They weren’t satisfied with last year; they weren’t satisfied with what happened last year. They are looking to redeem themselves in a lot of ways.”

Barnett said Copeland has made great strides since spring.

“He’s a sharp kid,” Barnett said. “He understands the defense; he understands technique. He’ll only continue to get better.”

Copeland said he’s way past thinking about his neck.

“I played in the spring game and it didn’t hurt,” Copeland said. “It’s not hurting me at all in any fashion. I don’t even think about it anymore.”

Hicks, who had a career-high 33 tackles in 11 games in 2015, is ready to lead by example, he said Thursday.

“This (secondary) group is coming together good,” said Hicks, from Solon High in Ohio. “We are making plays and we are all learning from each other. We are being a unit. We are all pushing each other to be the best we can.

“As a senior, I feel I can help the younger players. I just can’t wait for the first game. I can’t wait to play with my brothers again. It’s going to be a fun year for all of us.”

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■CAMP TALK: MSU coach Mark Dantonio was asked about younger players possibly hitting the wall after a grueling camp.

“I think everyone hits the wall a little bit,” he said. “Everyone is banged up, nicked up a bit.” ...

Dantonio, on whether he sees more separation in position battles heading into today’s second scrimmage of camp: “Probably, but we have got some young players. Guys that are making their move on the defensive line, young players, (defensive end) Josh King, (defensive end) Auston Robertson, (defensive tackle Mike) Panasiuk. Those guys are probably going to end up playing for us, because you see them get better and better. ... (Safety) Kenney Lyke is a guy that has continued to impress us. We are deep at safety a little bit.”

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Contact Mike Brudenell: mbrudenell@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mikebrudenell.

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