Trae Waynes Declares for 2015 NFL Draft: Latest Details and Reaction

Hoping to make it two years in a row with a Michigan State cornerback selected in the first round, Trae Waynes has announced his decision to declare for the 2015 NFL draft.

Mike Johnson of the Kenosha News has the news:

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“I’m sure it’s kind of obvious,” said Waynes, who paused for a few moments before delivering his official decision. “Yeah, I’m gonna go.”

[...]

Based on what he told the News after Thursday’s game, however, it seems that Waynes had already made his decision, but he and anyone who knew hadn’t made it public.

“I pretty much already decided what that (decision’s) going to be with my family and the coaches and stuff like that,” Waynes said.

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Former Spartan Darqueze Dennard was taken No. 19 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in last year's draft, and many believe that Waynes has similar potential.

Filling in for Dennard at the all-important "boundary corner" position, Waynes flashed a tantalizing blend of speed and size during the 2014 campaign, finishing the season with 3 interceptions. He stands at 6'1" and 182 pounds with tremendous length, but he also the kind of athleticism you would expect from the child of two college track stars.

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

As such, it's not a surprise to see his name in the first round of many mock drafts. Dennard even went as far to suggest his successor will develop into the better player.

"Trae will move to my side, and Trae will end up being two times better than me,'' Dennard said in February, via MLive.com's Kyle Austin. “When Trae really wants to play, he can play.”

The pre-draft process should only boost Waynes' stock. According to Austin, he reportedly ran a 4.2 40-yard dash at a MSU summer camp, suggesting he's the kind of player who can turn into a combine star.

Waynes is still a bit a raw, especially in run support. But from his impressive physical tools to his propensity to aggressively attack the ball in the air, there is too much to like for him to slip very far on draft night.

Michigan State may not be "Cornerback U" quite yet, but the program has now produced two extremely talented DB's in back-to-back years.