Michigan State needs a lot of help in pass defense. The program has allowed 273.5 yards passing per game under Tucker, including a program-worst 324.8 per game in 2021. Last year they improved to 237.9 yards per game, but that more so had to do with teams opting to attack them on the ground.
The unit struggled to cause turnovers and struggled to stop their opponents from doing whatever they wanted through the air. The Spartans have some up-and-coming prospects in the secondary, but this is a make-or-break year for Mel Tucker. After just how bad last season went for the Spartans, his job security is already being called into question. He can’t afford another setback, especially from an inexperienced secondary. They need a cornerback who can help out now.
Former Iowa cornerback Terry Roberts has a chance to be just that answer for Mel Tucker’s defense this year. The Iowa transfer was included in Corey Linsner’s five transfers who will help make or break Michigan State football’s season for Spartans Wire.
Another thing that hasn’t been in question during Tucker’s MSU tenure is how pitiful the secondary has played. Now, the Spartans have a huge crop of young talent in the secondary that fans should be excited about, but for the immediate season ahead, MSU will rely on Iowa cornerback transfer Terry Roberts to step up. – Cory Linsner, Spartans Wire.
Roberts was expected to be a big piece of the defensive backfield for the Hawkeyes this past season, but a lower leg injury limited him to just five appearances and three starts. His final game as a Hawkeye came in Iowa’s 9-6 loss at Illinois. For his career, the Erie, Pa., product appeared in 33 games and tallied 47 tackles, seven pass breakups and a pair of interceptions through four seasons.
After originally committing to Miami, Roberts entered his name back into the portal and found his home in East Lansing.
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