Shakur Brown, Naquan Jones Earn NFL Combine Invites
3/2/2021 4:59:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Two Michigan State Spartans – cornerback Shakur Brown and defensive tackle Naquan Jones – have officially earned invites to the 2021 NFL Combine.
Brown earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and second-team All-America accolades in 2020 after ranking first in the FBS in interceptions per game (0.71 pg; five in seven games), while Jones recorded 24 tackles with a career-high 5.0 tackles for loss (7 yards).
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has made alterations to this year's scouting combine. The largest change to the traditional showcase of college prospects will be no in-person workouts at the combine this year in Indianapolis as they will take place at colleges' pro days. Michigan State's Pro Day is March 24.
The league added it would work with individual schools to achieve consistency in the drills and testing that takes place with each NFL team gaining access of video for the workouts.
Michigan State has had 57 players invited to the NFL Combine since 2008.
The 2021 NFL Draft is set for April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU PARTICIPANTS/INVITES SINCE 2008 (57) – BY YEAR
2008 (4): RB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Kellen Davis, WR Devin Thomas, S Nehemiah Warrick
2009 (3): QB Brian Hoyer, RB Javon Ringer, S Otis Wiley
2010 (2): PK Brett Swenson, WR Blair White
2011 (4): WR Mark Dell, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Greg Jones, CB Chris L. Rucker
2012 (6): RB Edwin Baker, QB Kirk Cousins, WR B.J. Cunningham, WR Keshawn Martin, S Trenton Robinson, DT Jerel Worthy
2013 (4): CB Johnny Adams, RB Le'Veon Bell, DE William Gholston, TE Dion Sims
2014 (4): LB Max Bullough, CB Darqueze Dennard, WR Bennie Fowler, S Isaiah Lewis
2015 (6): S Kurtis Drummond, LB Taiwan Jones, RB Jeremy Langford, WR Tony Lippett, WR Keith Mumphery, CB Trae Waynes
2016 (7): C Jack Allen, WR Aaron Burbridge, DE Shilique Calhoun, OT Jack Conklin, QB Connor Cook, DT Joel Heath, DL Lawrence Thomas
2017 (3): LB Riley Bullough, DL Malik McDowell, S Montae Nicholson
2018 (1): OL Brian Allen
2019 (4): WR Felton Davis III, CB Justin Layne, RB LJ Scott, S Khari Willis
2020 (7): LB Joe Bachie, QB Brian Lewerke, CB Josiah Scott, WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White, DE Kenny Willekes, DT Raequan Williams
2021 (2): CB Shakur Brown, DT Naquan Jones
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU PARTICIPANTS/INVITES SINCE 2008 (57) – BY POSITION
QB (4): Brian Hoyer (2009), Kirk Cousins (2012), Connor Cook (2016), Brian Lewerke (2020)
RB (6): Jehuu Caulcrick (2008), Javon Ringer (2009), Edwin Baker (2012), Le'Veon Bell (2013), Jeremy Langford (2015), LJ Scott (2019)
WR (12): Devin Thomas (2008), Blair White (2010), Mark Dell (2011), B.J. Cunningham (2012), Keshawn Martin (2012), Bennie Fowler (2014), Tony Lippett (2015), Keith Mumphery (2015), Aaron Burbridge (2016), Felton Davis III (2019), Darrell Stewart (2020), Cody White (2020)
OL (3): C Jack Allen (2016), OT Jack Conklin (2016), OL Brian Allen (2018)
TE (3): Kellen Davis (2008), Charlie Gantt (2011), Dion Sims (2013)
DL (9): DT Jerel Worthy (2012), DE William Gholston (2013), DE Shilique Calhoun (2016), DT Joel Heath (2016), DL Lawrence Thomas (2016), DL Malik McDowell (2017), DE Kenny Willekes (2020), DT Raequan Williams (2020), DT Naquan Jones
LB (5): Greg Jones (2011), Max Bullough (2014), Taiwan Jones (2015), Riley Bullough (2017), Joe Bachie (2020)
DB (14): S Nehemiah Warrick (2008), S Otis Wiley (2009), CB Chris L. Rucker (2011), S Trenton Robinson (2012), CB Johnny Adams (2013), CB Darqueze Dennard (2014), S Isaiah Lewis (2014), S Kurtis Drummond (2015), CB Trae Waynes (2015), S Montae Nicholson (2017), CB Justin Layne (2019), S Khari Willis (2019), CB Josiah Scott (2020), CB Shakur Brown (2021)
PK (1): Brett Swenson (2010)
Shakur Brown – CB – 5-11 – 190 – Stockbridge, Ga. – Woodland High School
CAREER NOTES: Three-year letterwinner played in 26 games with 12 starts (five at cornerback in 2019; two at nickelback and five at cornerback in 2020) . . . had seven interceptions, nine pass break-ups, 54 tackles and two sacks in his Spartan career . . . finished his career ranked eighth in MSU history with 186 interception return yards . . . declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 14, 2020.
2020 SEASON (REDSHIRT JUNIOR): Earned All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation (second team) and Pro Football Focus (third team) . . . garnered first-team All-Big Ten accolades by the coaches and Pro Football Focus . . . also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, Associated Press and Phil Steele . . . led the FBS in interceptions per game (five in seven games; 0.71 pg) . . . ranked tied for third in the FBS with five total interceptions . . . started all seven games (first two at nickelback; final five at cornerback) . . . ranked tied for second in the Big Ten with nine passes defended (five interceptions, four pass break-ups) . . . finished with a career-high 107 interception return yards, ninth most in an MSU season and second most in the Big Ten in 2020 . . . led team with four PBUs . . . also had a career-high 25 tackles . . . recorded two interceptions against both vs. Indiana and Northwestern . . . tallied two tackles at Penn State . . . had five tackles vs. No. 4 Ohio State . . . matched career high by snaring pair of interceptions vs. No. 8 Northwestern for second time in as many games (one in first quarter, one in fourth quarter), returning first one 54 yards, setting up MSU's first TD of game, and second one thwarted a NU drive making pick at midfield, setting up MSU's game-winning field goal, and added two tackles and one QB hurry . . . named one of the Spartan Defensive Players of the Week vs. Northwestern . . . recorded a career-high two interceptions (one in first quarter, one in second quarter) along with a career-best six tackles in Indiana game . . . started game at Iowa and tallied two pass break-ups and two tackles . . . started at Michigan and tallied three tackles and two pass break-ups . . . started season opener vs. Rutgers and tied career-high with five tackles and snared career-best tying interception, returning it 23 yards.
Naquan Jones – DT – 6-4 – 340 – Evanston, Ill. – Evanston Township High School
CAREER NOTES: Four-year letterwinner had 78 tackles, including 12.5 for losses (44 yards) and 3.0 sacks (20 yards), with three pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, in 46 career games, making five career starts (one in 2019, four in 2020) . . . competed in the 2021 Hula Bowl All-Star Game.
2020 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR): Recorded 24 tackles with a career-high 5.0 tackles for loss (7 yards), one pass break-up and one fumble recovery in playing all seven games, making four starts . . . played a total of 314 snaps . . . had three games this season with at least 1.0 TFL . . . started at Penn State and registered four tackles and one pass break-up in playing in 45 snaps . . . notched four stops, with 1.0 TFL in Ohio State game, notching 49 snaps . . . tied career-high with six tackles and logged new career-best with 2.5 tackles for loss in Northwestern game, playing 41 snaps . . . posted three tackles in Indiana game, being in on 47 snaps . . . started game at Iowa at defensive tackle and posted pair of stops in playing 37 snaps . . . notched one tackle in starting at Michigan, playing 42 snaps . . . started season opener vs. Rutgers and notched three tackles, with 1.5 tackles for loss (2 yards) and registered first fumble recovery of career in playing 53 snaps.
Brown earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and second-team All-America accolades in 2020 after ranking first in the FBS in interceptions per game (0.71 pg; five in seven games), while Jones recorded 24 tackles with a career-high 5.0 tackles for loss (7 yards).
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL has made alterations to this year's scouting combine. The largest change to the traditional showcase of college prospects will be no in-person workouts at the combine this year in Indianapolis as they will take place at colleges' pro days. Michigan State's Pro Day is March 24.
The league added it would work with individual schools to achieve consistency in the drills and testing that takes place with each NFL team gaining access of video for the workouts.
Michigan State has had 57 players invited to the NFL Combine since 2008.
The 2021 NFL Draft is set for April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU PARTICIPANTS/INVITES SINCE 2008 (57) – BY YEAR
2008 (4): RB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Kellen Davis, WR Devin Thomas, S Nehemiah Warrick
2009 (3): QB Brian Hoyer, RB Javon Ringer, S Otis Wiley
2010 (2): PK Brett Swenson, WR Blair White
2011 (4): WR Mark Dell, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Greg Jones, CB Chris L. Rucker
2012 (6): RB Edwin Baker, QB Kirk Cousins, WR B.J. Cunningham, WR Keshawn Martin, S Trenton Robinson, DT Jerel Worthy
2013 (4): CB Johnny Adams, RB Le'Veon Bell, DE William Gholston, TE Dion Sims
2014 (4): LB Max Bullough, CB Darqueze Dennard, WR Bennie Fowler, S Isaiah Lewis
2015 (6): S Kurtis Drummond, LB Taiwan Jones, RB Jeremy Langford, WR Tony Lippett, WR Keith Mumphery, CB Trae Waynes
2016 (7): C Jack Allen, WR Aaron Burbridge, DE Shilique Calhoun, OT Jack Conklin, QB Connor Cook, DT Joel Heath, DL Lawrence Thomas
2017 (3): LB Riley Bullough, DL Malik McDowell, S Montae Nicholson
2018 (1): OL Brian Allen
2019 (4): WR Felton Davis III, CB Justin Layne, RB LJ Scott, S Khari Willis
2020 (7): LB Joe Bachie, QB Brian Lewerke, CB Josiah Scott, WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White, DE Kenny Willekes, DT Raequan Williams
2021 (2): CB Shakur Brown, DT Naquan Jones
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU PARTICIPANTS/INVITES SINCE 2008 (57) – BY POSITION
QB (4): Brian Hoyer (2009), Kirk Cousins (2012), Connor Cook (2016), Brian Lewerke (2020)
RB (6): Jehuu Caulcrick (2008), Javon Ringer (2009), Edwin Baker (2012), Le'Veon Bell (2013), Jeremy Langford (2015), LJ Scott (2019)
WR (12): Devin Thomas (2008), Blair White (2010), Mark Dell (2011), B.J. Cunningham (2012), Keshawn Martin (2012), Bennie Fowler (2014), Tony Lippett (2015), Keith Mumphery (2015), Aaron Burbridge (2016), Felton Davis III (2019), Darrell Stewart (2020), Cody White (2020)
OL (3): C Jack Allen (2016), OT Jack Conklin (2016), OL Brian Allen (2018)
TE (3): Kellen Davis (2008), Charlie Gantt (2011), Dion Sims (2013)
DL (9): DT Jerel Worthy (2012), DE William Gholston (2013), DE Shilique Calhoun (2016), DT Joel Heath (2016), DL Lawrence Thomas (2016), DL Malik McDowell (2017), DE Kenny Willekes (2020), DT Raequan Williams (2020), DT Naquan Jones
LB (5): Greg Jones (2011), Max Bullough (2014), Taiwan Jones (2015), Riley Bullough (2017), Joe Bachie (2020)
DB (14): S Nehemiah Warrick (2008), S Otis Wiley (2009), CB Chris L. Rucker (2011), S Trenton Robinson (2012), CB Johnny Adams (2013), CB Darqueze Dennard (2014), S Isaiah Lewis (2014), S Kurtis Drummond (2015), CB Trae Waynes (2015), S Montae Nicholson (2017), CB Justin Layne (2019), S Khari Willis (2019), CB Josiah Scott (2020), CB Shakur Brown (2021)
PK (1): Brett Swenson (2010)
Shakur Brown – CB – 5-11 – 190 – Stockbridge, Ga. – Woodland High School
CAREER NOTES: Three-year letterwinner played in 26 games with 12 starts (five at cornerback in 2019; two at nickelback and five at cornerback in 2020) . . . had seven interceptions, nine pass break-ups, 54 tackles and two sacks in his Spartan career . . . finished his career ranked eighth in MSU history with 186 interception return yards . . . declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 14, 2020.
2020 SEASON (REDSHIRT JUNIOR): Earned All-America honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation (second team) and Pro Football Focus (third team) . . . garnered first-team All-Big Ten accolades by the coaches and Pro Football Focus . . . also earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, Associated Press and Phil Steele . . . led the FBS in interceptions per game (five in seven games; 0.71 pg) . . . ranked tied for third in the FBS with five total interceptions . . . started all seven games (first two at nickelback; final five at cornerback) . . . ranked tied for second in the Big Ten with nine passes defended (five interceptions, four pass break-ups) . . . finished with a career-high 107 interception return yards, ninth most in an MSU season and second most in the Big Ten in 2020 . . . led team with four PBUs . . . also had a career-high 25 tackles . . . recorded two interceptions against both vs. Indiana and Northwestern . . . tallied two tackles at Penn State . . . had five tackles vs. No. 4 Ohio State . . . matched career high by snaring pair of interceptions vs. No. 8 Northwestern for second time in as many games (one in first quarter, one in fourth quarter), returning first one 54 yards, setting up MSU's first TD of game, and second one thwarted a NU drive making pick at midfield, setting up MSU's game-winning field goal, and added two tackles and one QB hurry . . . named one of the Spartan Defensive Players of the Week vs. Northwestern . . . recorded a career-high two interceptions (one in first quarter, one in second quarter) along with a career-best six tackles in Indiana game . . . started game at Iowa and tallied two pass break-ups and two tackles . . . started at Michigan and tallied three tackles and two pass break-ups . . . started season opener vs. Rutgers and tied career-high with five tackles and snared career-best tying interception, returning it 23 yards.
Naquan Jones – DT – 6-4 – 340 – Evanston, Ill. – Evanston Township High School
CAREER NOTES: Four-year letterwinner had 78 tackles, including 12.5 for losses (44 yards) and 3.0 sacks (20 yards), with three pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, in 46 career games, making five career starts (one in 2019, four in 2020) . . . competed in the 2021 Hula Bowl All-Star Game.
2020 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR): Recorded 24 tackles with a career-high 5.0 tackles for loss (7 yards), one pass break-up and one fumble recovery in playing all seven games, making four starts . . . played a total of 314 snaps . . . had three games this season with at least 1.0 TFL . . . started at Penn State and registered four tackles and one pass break-up in playing in 45 snaps . . . notched four stops, with 1.0 TFL in Ohio State game, notching 49 snaps . . . tied career-high with six tackles and logged new career-best with 2.5 tackles for loss in Northwestern game, playing 41 snaps . . . posted three tackles in Indiana game, being in on 47 snaps . . . started game at Iowa at defensive tackle and posted pair of stops in playing 37 snaps . . . notched one tackle in starting at Michigan, playing 42 snaps . . . started season opener vs. Rutgers and notched three tackles, with 1.5 tackles for loss (2 yards) and registered first fumble recovery of career in playing 53 snaps.
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