It's Official: Spartan CB Trae Waynes Forgoes His Senior Season; Enters 2015 NFL Draft

Waynes Forgoes His Senior Season; Enters 2015 NFL Draft The junior cornerback earned All-America honors after recording 46 tackles, three interceptions and a

Waynes Forgoes His Senior Season; Enters 2015 NFL Draft

The junior cornerback earned All-America honors after recording 46 tackles, three interceptions and a career-best eight pass break-ups in 2014.

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State All-America cornerback Trae Waynes, who started 27 consecutive games, will forgo his senior season and enter the 2015 National Football League Draft. As a two-year starter, Waynes helped the Spartans to a combined record of 24-3, including back-to-back bowl victories over No. 5 Stanford (24-20) in the 2014 Rose Bowl and No. 4 Baylor (42-41) in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic.

The deadline for underclassmen to declare themselves eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft is Thursday, Jan. 15.

The 6-foot-1, 182-pound Waynes ranked second on the team in interceptions (3) and pass break-ups (career-best 8) and finished sixth in tackles with 46 (34 solos, 12 assists), with two resulting in losses (9 yards) including a 4-yard sack. He helped anchor a Spartan secondary that ranked 10th (tied) in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in interceptions (18) and 21st in passing efficiency defense (113.1 rating).

Waynes earned All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation (second team), Sporting News (second team), Athlon Sports (second team), Associated Press (third team), Phil Steele (third team), and SI.com (honorable mention). In addition, he was named one of 15 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

The Kenosha, Wisconsin, native was selected first-team All-Big Ten by both the league’s head coaches and media, becoming MSU’s third first-team all-conference cornerback under head coach Mark Dantonio (Johnny Adams, 2011-12; Darqueze Dennard, 2012-13). He also was presented MSU’s Jim Adams Award as the team’s unsung hero on defense.

“Trae Waynes is a tremendous football player, who also has been a great ambassador for our football program,” Dantonio said. “Trae is a lock-down corner, who played an important role in our success the last two years. He’s an excellent press corner, who’s often been isolated against our opponent’s top wide receiver. He has great deep-ball judgment and the ability to tackle in space. Physically, Trae has length and great make-up speed.

“The pre-draft numbers project Trae as a likely first-round selection, and there’s no question that he’ll be an outstanding corner at the next level. He’s ready to transition into the next chapter in his life. We wish him nothing but the best as he pursues his dream of playing in the NFL.

“(Secondary coach) Harlon Barnett has consistently prepared our defensive backs for the opportunity to take the next step and play in the NFL. Trae Waynes has a chance to become Michigan State’s second-straight corner to be selected in the first round (2014: Darqueze Dennard, Cincinnati Bengals, No. 24 overall) and the fifth defensive back drafted since 2008.

“There’s no question that we’ll miss Trae because he was an important member of our team, but the future remains bright in our secondary with our returning personnel and our incoming players.”

“Trae Waynes is very similar to (2013 All-American and Jim Thorpe Award winner) Darqueze Dennard,” MSU secondary coach Harlon Barnett said. “He’s a complete corner. Trae is a solid tackler in the open field; he can cover and he has good ball skills. He’s fast, tough and physical.

“This season, his focus on technique helped take his game to a whole new level, which allowed him to play with great confidence.”

“Once we got the feedback from the NFL, I talked about things with the coaches and my family, and ultimately decided this is what I wanted to do,” Waynes said. “I have never really paid attention to pre-draft player rankings. In fact, I wasn’t even aware that some draft analysts had me rated as the No. 1 corner. So I didn’t make my decision based on those ratings, I made it because I have an opportunity to pursue my dream to play pro football. I’ve dreamt about this since I was a little boy, and I didn’t want to miss this chance.

“There was no better way to close out my career than the fourth-quarter comeback against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl. I missed some plays and I wish I had those back, but to rally from a 20-point deficit made it so special, especially for the seniors.

“The last two years, Michigan State has established itself as one of the powerhouse teams in college football. The Cotton Bowl win helps keep MSU on the national map, especially from a recruiting standpoint.

“I’ve always been close to Coach D and Harlon Barnett,” Waynes continued. “My dad even said that HB is like my second father away from home. I honestly had a hard time telling them about my decision because it’s difficult to leave, but they both understood. I’ve always been able to talk to both of them about any subject. I’ll always value those close relationships.”

Waynes closed out his collegiate career with three solo tackles and a pass break-up in MSU’s 42-41 come-from-behind win over No. 4 Baylor in the 79th Cotton Bowl Classic.

In the regular-season finale at Penn State, Waynes recorded his third interception of the season and sixth of his career. He also broke up a pass and had four stops against the Nittany Lions.

Waynes was selected the Spartan Defensive Player of the Week after limiting Rutgers’ Leonte Carroo to one catch for 6 yards while recording three tackles. Carroo entered the game ranked second in the Big Ten, averaging 93.3 receiving yards per game.

He led the secondary with 20 production points, including four tackles and a pass break-up, in Michigan State’s 37-15 win at Maryland.

Waynes recorded five tackles and a pass break-up in MSU’s 35-11 win over Michigan Oct. 25, the Spartans’ biggest win (24 points) over the Wolverines since 1967. He helped the secondary limit Michigan to 125 yards passing.

Waynes recorded a career-best two tackles for loss (9 yards), including a 4-yard sack, in MSU’s 56-17 win at Indiana Oct. 18. He led the secondary with 20 production points at Purdue after collecting five tackles and recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter.

In the Big Ten opener against No. 19 Nebraska, Waynes tied his career high with two interceptions and also posted career bests in tackles (7) and pass break-ups (2). His second interception with 30 seconds remaining in the game sealed the 27-22 victory over the Huskers.

Waynes recorded 101 tackles, six interceptions and 13 pass break-ups in 36 career contests. He also was credited with four tackles for loss (14 yards), including 1.5 sacks (5 yards), and two fumble recoveries.