14072509-standard.jpg

Michigan State cornerback Darian Hicks had all the right moves to win the No. 3 cornerback position as a true freshman, and Coach Mark Dantonio believes Hicks has what it takes to overcome his lack of starting experience and become a strong No. 2 corner in 2014.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

CHICAGO — It has been well-documented that Mark Dantonio's defense lost six defensive starters from a unit that finished second in the nation last season. That includes a pair from the secondary now with the Cincinnati Bengals -- first-round NFL draft pick Darqueze Dennard and safety Isaiah Lewis.

But the Michigan State coach made it clear at Monday's Big Ten media day that he feels confident the Spartans have the right horses to continue to play defense at an elite level.

"On the defensive side of the ball we play a lot of players,'' said Dantonio, his appearance at the Chicago Hilton marking the eighth time he has addressed the media at the preseason annual event. "So really there's not one player starting for us that does not have a lot of game experience, maybe other than Darian Hicks, and he's worked a lot.''

Dantonio said the sophomore Hicks has a lot of athletic ability "and really he was our third cornerback last season'' -- so even though he lacks starts, Hicks has playing time under his belt.

Junior cornerback Trae Waynes is an all-league selection, so there's no concern at the other corner position, and senior free safety Kurtis Drummond is back for his third season as a starter and is regarded of the leader of the Spartans' self-styled "No Fly Zone'' secondary.

Drummond made it clear he feels Waynes can provide the same sort of lockdown coverage and physical run support as Dennard.

"Trae wants to be physical, and he's deceptively strong,'' Drummond said. "He's one of the strongest in the room. He's a freakish athlete, so I think he'll thrive ... he can run, hit cover, (and) he'll do anything you ask him to do.''

Dantonio said he'll take a long look at the incoming freshmen at cornerback, as well as defensive back Demetrious Cox, who has spent the majority of his time as a safety.

"I think Demetrious Cox is a guy with a lot of ability, and we'll see where he plays,'' Dantonio said. "I think he has the foot skills to play outside, I think he's got great ball skills, just needs experience and he should get that this year, he's probably the fifth guy right now, maybe the fourth.''

As for the incoming freshmen defensive backs, Dantonio mentioned three would would get auditions.

"You start with Vayante Copeland, and move from there to Jalen Watts-Jackson and then also I think Montae Nicholson has the ability to go out there, he's got great ball skills, he's big, he runs extremely well, 4.4. (-second 40-yard-dash), he's got great balance,'' Dantonio said. "So those three guys will flop in there a little bit and we'll see what they can do.''

Dantonio said Jermaine Edmondson and Arjen Colquhoun also remain in the cornerback competition for playing time.

"We have depth at the position, and they are all good players,'' Dantonio said. "We have to find out who's going to be the most consistent.''

Redshirt freshman Jalyn Powell made a push at strong safety in the spring game after being selected by his teammates in the Green-White player draft, but Dantonio sounded confident in junior RJ Williamson.

"RJ Williamson is a guy who has to play well,'' Dantonio said, "because he's in a starting position, he's got the experience.''

Drummond said Williamson has also earned the respect of his teammates.

"A lot of guys look up to him and listen to him,'' Drummond said. "I would say it's his play, the way he conducts himself in practice, and the way he carries himself.''

Download the MSU basketball on MLive app for iPhone and Android

Download the MSU football on MLive app for iPhone and Android

Follow Mike Griffith and Kyle Austin on Twitter

Like MLive's Michigan State Spartans Facebook