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College Football: 25 breakout players to watch in 2016

By John Buhler

Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) enters the field before the game at Memorial Stadium for the contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. King has been suspended from the first quarter of play due to a team violation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Desmond King (14) enters the field before the game at Memorial Stadium for the contest against the Nebraska Cornhuskers. King has been suspended from the first quarter of play due to a team violation. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Vayante Copeland (13) gestures to the sidelines during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Vayante Copeland (13) gestures to the sidelines during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Michigan State is coming off a fantastic 2015 NCAA season, one that saw the Spartans win the Big 10 Championship over then undefeated Iowa at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, earning a trip to the second annual College Football Playoff.

Michigan State had a deep roster in 2015, but even that wasn’t enough to stand a chance against eventual champion Alabama during the National Semifinal in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas. The Spartans could very well have a top 10 team in 2016, but are likely destined to finish third in the Big 10 East behind the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Mark Dantonio’s powerhouse football program would love nothing more than to unravel its two biggest rivals’ College Football Playoff dreams with surprising back-to-back Big 10 Championships. Dantonio will continue to coach up his defense and one player to keep an eye on in the Spartan secondary is sophomore cornerback Vayante Copeland.

Copeland might be the best defensive back that Dantonio has had since Darqueze Dennard went in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite playing in only two games as a freshman in 2015, Copeland will have to take on a bigger role in the Spartans secondary in 2016.

He’ll most certainly build on a seven-tackle, one interception, and one pass deflection season as a sophomore in 2016. Copeland is poised for a breakout season in East Lansing. He is one of the many great defensive backs that will be on display in the Big Ten this fall.

Next: 18. Austin Bryant.

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