Summary: Waynes redshirted in 2011, hit the field primarily on special teams in 2012 and then began to emerge as a defensive stalwart. He received the Spartans team award for the most improved defensive player in 2013, helped Michigan State defeat Ohio State for the Big Ten title and had an interception against Stanford in a win at the Rose Bowl. Waynes, continued to rise the following year. He was selected first-team All-Big 10 by coaches and media and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award in 2014.

Stacking up: Before and after the combine, NFL Media analyst Mike Mayock ranked Waynes as the top prospect at cornerback. Counterpart Bucky Brooks, however, slotted Waynes as his No. 2 corner behind former Washington Husky Marcus Peters.

Elite company:Waynes was a Bradford High School teammate of former Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, who is profiled **here**, in Kenosha, Wisc. The duo first met in middle school and have been in frequent communication since the draft, Waynes wrote in a **journal** for USA Today.