Tatum taking pride in the versatility he brings to the Michigan State secondary
East Lansing, Michigan – Michigan State sophomore Dillon Tatum broke into the playing group on defense as true freshman at safety last season, before moving to cornerback later in the year. The success that he had at corner, coupled with his strong showing at the position during spring football has positioned Tatum to win a starting job at corner for the Spartans this fall.
Tatum is not ready to shut the door on a potential return to the safety position. As a sophomore, however, he is willing to play wherever he can make the biggest impact.
“I see myself going real far at the nickel, at the strong safety position, but corner is okay, and I am enjoying it,” Tatum said. “I feel like I took another step. I’ve come a long way, so far … Working at corner helps with the versality and that’s what NFL scouts and coaches are looking for, guys that can do more than just one thing.”
Tatum’s coverage skills have improved substantially during the time he has spent at corner.
“I know it’s going to help me as long as I keep going further in football,” Tatum said. “Moving from safety to corner helps you work at coverage because you are on a one-on-one island. That has really helped me. I took another step as far as learning and taking the coaching that goes along with it.”
His time at safety has given Tatum a big-picture understanding of the defense that he might not have had he begun his Michigan State career at corner.
“Since I played safety, I know what the safety is going to do,” Tatum said. “How we can affect each other and help each other because it’s a team. Safety and corner work together on every single play.”
Tatum is striving to possess the versatility necessary to play all five of defense back positions. Although he is presently competing for a starting job at corner, Tatum understands that he might be needed more at different defensive back position if an injury were to hit at either safety or nickel.
“I am making sure that I know all five positions in case I get thrown in there,” Tatum said. “Say, one day that Gelo (Angelo Grose) will go down. I will probably get moved to nickel, and they would bring another corner in. I have to know exactly what they are doing at nickel so we can play fast.”
Tatum’s versatility extends beyond the Michigan State secondary. He is also looking to make an impact on special teams, where he is in the mix for a role as either punt or kick returner along with wide receivers Tyrell Henry, Alante Brown, and Montorie Foster.
“I do miss carrying the ball, but I am going to try and get my shot in the return game,” said Tatum, a former high school running back at West Bloomfield. “Punt return and kick return. That is going well. I’m not dropping a lot of balls, just working on that first step, being explosive still. I am competing everyday just trying to get that shot.”
Is 2022 class ‘the glue’ for Michigan State?
One of seven defensive backs in Michigan State’s 2022 recruiting class, Tatum signed with the Spartans as a four-star prospect ranked No. 9 in Michigan and No. 9 at the catch-all position of athlete in the On3 Industry Ranking. Tatum, along with classmates Jaden Mangham and Malik Spencer, both safeties, played a bunch of snaps as rookies and are favorites to win starting jobs this season. Other members of the class like Caleb Coley and Malcom Jones are in position to push for significant roles in the playing group on defense.
“I definitely feel like we’re the glue right now,” Tatum said. “I don’t want to say we’re Tuck’s first real class, but it kind of seems like that because they had the opportunity to come out and recruit us in person and not over Zoom. All of the young guys in my class that played last year, including myself, have that experience. I think we’re going to take this to the next level. Like I said, we’re the glue and it’s going to start with us.”
Almost nothing came easy to Tatum as a freshman, but he grew substantially amidst adversity. Now, he’s ready to give back.
“Sticking us young guys, like how we did last year, into the fire early helped us get experience,” Tatum said. “Now, we can help spread that experience to the young guys that are here now and help them realize that without our class, their class, and the class behind them that we are not going to do very well. The better players you have here, the more you’re going to win. That is just end-of-the-day facts. Bring the best talent in, put those talent keys together, and we’re going to have a great team.”
No room for complacency
Competition for playing time in the defensive backfield is fierce. As Tatum competes with other defensive backs for a starting job, he understands that there is zero room for complacency.
“I see competition every single day, especially at the corner position,” Tatum said. “There is a very big competition going on. I am lucky to be a part of it and I’m going to keep working hard. I’m not getting complacent at all and am giving maximum effort as much as possible.”
Michigan State has upwards of two dozen healthy defensive backs taking part in training camp.
“We are a huge group right now,” Tatum said. “We have 25 guys that are all healthy and playing right now. I think that’s a great thing because last year it was bad taking all of those reps. Maybe going 10 in a row at corner, or 10 in a row at safety.”
Michigan State’s large contingent of defensive backs includes three transfers in Semar Melvin (Wisconsin), Terry Roberts (Iowa), and Armorion Smith (Cincinnati). Each of those transfer defensive backs are acclimating well to the Michigan State program.
“I think it’s going really well,” Tatum said. “I think it’s a good fit with two older guys and one junior. They are mixing in well. We are hanging out a lot. They realize that we really want to win here, and we’ve just got to put the pieces together. They know that’s a big thing for us.”
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