Cornerback

(this part was written by Pat and posted by tbone)

Wolverine Cornerbacks:

Michigan lost backup cornerback Terrence Talbott recently as he left the program.  The rest of the corners return from last season.

2011 saw the Wolverines enter the season with huge question marks at the corner position.  It seemed like a position that would be the demise of the defense...except by some miracle (the coaching change) it wasn't. 

JT Floyd locked down one corner spot after seeing spot starts and significant playing time in previous seasons.  JT was able to take the proverbial leap and go from liability to a very solid starting cornerback.  His interception against Illinois sealed the victory.

The other starting corner was true freshman! Blake Countess.  Countess was the most hyped defensive recruit in Hoke's first recruiting class and came in and played that way from the get-go.  He was very good.  He was good enough to create significant hype heading into 2012.

Courtney Avery played the nickel and acquitted himself quite well. 

All three corners who saw significant time last season will be back in 2012.  Backups will be a pair of sophomores who saw special teams action last season and ESPN top 150 recruit true freshman Terry Richardson.  He's tiny though so hopefully he doesn't have to play and can redshirt this season.

Barring injury Michigan is set at the corner position.  Losing Talbott certainly hurts the depth at the position as you'd like quite a few more than 5 ready to play corners on the roster.  Though if Richardson is ready to play right away Michigan will be fine as far as depth is concerned.

This unit should be very good for Michigan in the fall.  They were above average a season ago and everyone who got significant time returns this season.  Expect this unit to be in the top part of the B1G.  One of the two corners will likely earn honors as an all B1G performer this season.  Combine these corners with the Kovacs and Gordon and Michigan's secondary should definitely be the strength of the defense in 2012.

Spartan Cornerbacks:

Returning for his senior year after some speculation that he might go pro, Johnny Adams is back to lead the Spartan defensive backfield.  Adams is predicted to go in the top 20 NFL next year according to Mel Kiper and was named to several first team All-B1G teams (Phil Steel, Athlon) and several award watch lists including Bednarik, Nagurski, and Thorpe.  Johnny is certainly in th drivers seat to have a great season.  Last season Adams had 51 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 3 interceptions.  Fun fact is that Johnny had the 7th most INT return yards, (141).  Adams is likely the best cover corner in the B1G and might be top 5 in the country.  

On the other side, starting is Darqueze Dennard.  Dennard was a honorable all B1G mention.  Last year he finished with 42 tackles and 3 interceptions.  Darqueze is a great complement to Johnny.  He rarely blows coverage and can muscle up with opposing wide receivers.

From there the Spartans have Mitchell White and Mylan Hicks.  Hicks redshirted his freshman year and then missed the bulk of 2012 due to injury, playing only in the Outback Bowl.  White has been used sparingly and is listed as the backup to Adams.  Out of these two I am interested to see how Hicks comes back.  Having seen White a bit last year, he looks like hes swimming on defense from time to time, and that is never a good thing. 

With red shirted and true freshman the Spartans have Trae Waynes and Arjen Colquhoun.  Both are tall corners, which is what Dantonio likes.  Waynes has been impressive through spring ball and is in that position to "push starters"  Though I do not think he will overtake Dennard, it is always good when your back up is reaching that level. 

Overall, this is a highly talented position as starters and very unproven as backups.  This will not be the backbone of the Spartan defense, but baring any injuries should be one of the best in the B1G.  I expect Dennard to at least earn second team all B1G, with a really solid season, Adams could get on some All-American lists by the end of the year. First team all B1G is certainly a lock. 

Based on Adams alone, I think they Spartan unit is stronger than Michigan.  Here is a player that will be drafted in the first round and fairly high.  His partner could very well end up with all B1G honors as well.  If Hicks proves to be a worthy back up this unit could be pretty nasty.  He should not get the playing time necessary to have a season comparable to Blake's first but allowing the starters to take a breather is what he needs to do.

Edge: MSU