EAST LANSING — Michigan State brings back three of four starters in a secondary that helped the Spartans rank 9th in the nation in passing defense.

As far as Tom Dienhart of the Big Ten Network is concerned, Michigan State's defensive backs have some work to do before they can be considered the league's best.

Ohio State, which last season was 76th in passing defense, is the top secondary in the conference according to Dienhart.

The Buckeyes return three of four starters in the secondary, including Bradley Roby, who has challenged Spartans' senior Darqueze Dennard for the honor of being considered the Big Ten's best returning cornerback.

Here's what Dienhart had to say about Michigan State's secondary:

Yes, cornerback Johnny Adams is gone. But there is still a lot of talent in the secondary. Senior strong safety Isaiah Lewis is a legit star and future pro. Redshirt freshman Demetrious Cox is another strong option at safety. Coaches think he could be special. Junior Kurtis Drummond is a steady force at free safety. Sophomore Trae Waynes emerged in the spring as a playmaker. Fellow sophomore Arjen Colquhoun also is on the rise. Senior Darqueze Dennard will be one of the Big Ten's top corners.

Dienhart's summary is on the spot, though Demetrious Cox was slowed by an undisclosed injury and didn't stand out in the spring game as some might have expected.

, who has since had his appendix removed, was more of a stand out in the Green-White spring scrimmage than Cox.

Playing time will remain on the line when the Spartans enter fall camp in August.

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