Michigan State may have found a transfer cornerback who arrives with more than just upside. Tyran Chappell’s production at Houston Christian University and his numbers from Pro Football Focus point to a player who could force his way into the Spartans’ plans quickly.
PFF gave Chappell an 86.2 overall grade last season, and that was the highest mark among all returning Big Ten cornerbacks. For a redshirt sophomore still trying to establish himself at the Power Four level, that’s a loud number.
The rest of the conference’s top returning corners trail him from there: Jamari Sharpe of Nebraska checked in at 84.1, followed by Iowa’s Jontez Williams at 83.6, Zach Lutmer at 83.5 and Xavier Styles at 82.5. Minnesota’s John Nestor posted an 81.5, Northwestern’s Braden Turner earned a 79.0, Oregon’s Brandon Finney Jr. landed at 78.9, Penn State’s Daryus Dixon came in at 78.3 and Rutgers’ Zahmir Dawud finished at 77.7.
That doesn’t automatically make Chappell a lock to open the season as one of Michigan State’s starters. The Spartans could roll with seniors Tre White and Charles Brantley, with Brantley back in East Lansing after transferring to Miami (FL) last year. But college secondaries rarely stay static for long, and a player who keeps making plays can climb the depth chart fast.
Chappell’s numbers at Houston Christian show exactly why Michigan State is betting on him. In just five games, he recorded four interceptions and 27 total tackles. He had a pick in every game except one, which is about as clear a calling card as a cornerback can bring with him.
If that playmaking shows up again in East Lansing, the Spartans may not care whether it starts with Chappell coming off the bench or walking into the lineup from day one. Either way, they’ll be expecting him to build on what he did last season, not just repeat it.
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