Competition intense at cornerback for MSU

East Lansing — Two years ago, Darqueze Dennard was a first-round NFL draft pick.

This year, Trae Waynes is sure to follow in his footsteps.

As Michigan State began its second week of spring practice on Tuesday, the battle to fill those rather large shoes at cornerback is already in full swing some five months before the 2015 season begins.

"Our corner position we have guys with experience, and so we are working back and forth there to see who comes out on top there," coach Mark Dantonio said. "We've got guys, Arjen Colquhoun, is a guy that has a lot of experience runs well and is big. He's got experience, Darian Hicks the same. We've seen a couple other guys start to play better. You never know in shorts, but I thought (Jermaine) Edmondson had a good padded practice the other day. He has an opportunity to step forward. Vayante Copeland as a true freshman has a lot of upside, plays very balanced, is a solid tackler and has great ball skills, so he'll figure in the mix. Those are the four guys that are flipping around there. Demetrious Cox can also go out there and play."

The depth chart that was released last week is already being shuffled. It listed Cox, a junior, as the starter at boundary corner and at field corner both Hicks, a junior, and Copeland, a redshirt freshman, were at No. 1.

But Cox, who has played primarily safety his first two years, said he has been working more at safety since fifth-year senior RJ Williamson has had class on practice days. While he's been playing more safety, the starting corners Tuesday were Edmondson, a junior, and Colquhoun, a fifth-year senior.

"Jermaine Edmondson has gotten a lot better and he started today," Cox said. "Arjen Colquhoun is another guy that is a lot better and is stepping up. Vayante Copeland is a young guy and has to be more consistent.

"To be honest, I'm flopping back and forth. I'm gonna be ready to play corner when it's time to play corner and ready to play safety when it's time to play safety. But hopefully everybody stays healthy and we have the four best guys on the field."

Edmondson, who has seen mostly special teams action the past two seasons, also drew praise.

"Jermaine Edmondson is really stepping up his game," senior wide receiver Aaron Burbridge said. "He is playing with confidence and confidence is key. He's been working hard in the weight room, but he is showing physicality on the field and his speed and toughness."

Kings practicing

Dantonio said wide receiver Macgarrett Kings practiced on Saturday and that will continue.

"Yes, we practiced him on Saturday and we'll sort of watch him as he moves forward," Dantonio said. "He's not on probation or anything like that, and we have things in place to square up the situation. He's back in, maybe temporarily, but he's back in."

Kings, who is will be entering his senior season, was arrested and charged with drunken and disorderly conduct and obstructing, resisting, hindering or assaulting a police officer in early March. It was his second run-in with the law after being suspended last spring after being charged with operating while intoxicated and driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content of 0.17 or above.

mcharboneau@detroitnews.com

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