GREEN & WHITE FOOTBALL

'Who wore it best' at Michigan State: No. 27

Lansing State Journal

Michigan State Spartans safety Kurtis Drummond (27) gestures to the crowd during the first half of a game at Spartan Stadium.

Ever see a number on a Michigan State football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Me, too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Spartan football player was the best ever to wear each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at MSU? And what kind of impact did he have on the program?

No. 27 – Kurtis Drummond

Defensive back, 2011-14, Masury, Ohio

Résumé

2011: 9 solo tackles, 8 assisted, 17 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions

2012: 29 solo tackles, 24 assisted, 53 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions

2013: 49 solo tackles, 42 assisted, 91 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions

2014: 54 solo tackles, 18 assisted, 72 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 interceptions

Total: 141 solo tackles, 92 assisted, 233 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 12 interceptions

MSU's Kurtis Drummond and Shilique Calhoun take the field with the rest of the Spartans for the second half against Nebraska in East Lansing on Saturday, 10/4/2014.

Why Drummond?

Three wins over Michigan, three bowl rings – Buffalo Wild Wings, Rose and Cotton – and a Big Ten championship highlighted Kurtis Drummond’s four-year career in East Lansing.

His personal résumé is nearly as impressive.

The 6-foot-1, 202-pound safety was named a first-team All-American, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors during the 2014 season.

A first-team all-conference winner twice, Drummond finished his career at Michigan State with 233 career tackles in 52 games. He is tied for seventh in program history with 12 career interceptions and ranks 11th all-time in passes defended with 33. Drummond started his final 34 games at free safety.

MORE: Michigan State football - Who Wore It Best?

Drummond racked up a career-best 11 tackles against Ohio State in 2014 and picked off two passes against Northwestern in 2012.

In May 2015, the Ohio product was signed by the Houston Texans as a free agent. In two NFL seasons, Drummond has appeared in 24 games, amassing 34 tackles and a sack.

Penn State's Mike Gesicki leaps over Michigan State's Khari Willis during the fourth quarter on Saturday, November 4, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.

Who else wore No. 27?

SirDarean Adams (DB/LB, 2004-07), Robert Allman (End, 1934-35), Andre Anderson (RB, 2008-09), Khari Willis (S, current), Mark Beaudoin (LB/DE, 1982-85), Louis Bobich (QB/FB/K, 1962-64), James Chesney (QB, 1960), Alan Davis (DB, 1977-79), David Diehl (End, 1936-38), Duane Goulbourne (TB, 1992-96), Paul Hayner (CB, 1971-73), Thomas Morris (FS, 1980-81), Harold Phillips (DB, 1968-70), Rob Roy (FB, 1988-90), Ronald Rubick (HB, 1961-63), Willie Thrower (QB, 1952), Myrton Vandermeer (End, 1930-32), Derron Ware (S, 2002-03)

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ.

MORE ON KURTIS DRUMMOND:
* MSU's Drummond embodies traits of hard-working mom
* MSU captain Demetrious Cox leading like Kurtis Drummond
* VIDEO: Ultimate Kurtis Drummond Highlights HD "Underrated Superstar"