Position Preview: Cornerbacks

(Photo by Larry Sellers)

This blog will be part one of our position preview series.  Each blog will look at one position group on the team and give a preview for what Jackrabbit fans can expect this year and who they will be cheering for.  Part of the joy of college football is learning about the players and tracking their progress as they go from recruits, to practice players, to contributers, and to starters and hopefully All-Aonference and sometimes even All-American players.  We are kicking off the position preview with the cornerback group.

The Jackrabbits return three players (Jordan Brown, Marshon Harris, and Zy Mosley) who played a ton of snaps in 2017.  They are also buoyed by NC State transfer Bryce Banks as well as Donald Gardner returning from a knee injury and the promising Malik Lofton. 

Below is a breakdown of the position group along with comments from their position Coach Dan Jackson.  Jackson has been with the Jacks since 2012 and the cornerback coach since 2014.  Jackson is also the recruiting coordinator for SDSU.  This groups athleticism and experience should make them one of the strengths of the team.  The Valley is full of quality quarterbacks so they will need to show up every week ready to battle. Jackson loves his group of players and thinks that they have the potential to be the top cornerback group in the country and he said that he will coach them with that goal in mind.


#9 Jordan Brown (6-1, 195) is back for his senior season and has started the past two seasons.  The standout from Arizona was recognized as an All-MVFC selection and is the top corner in the conference entering 2018.  In 2017 Brown registered 72 tackles, 9 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions.  Jackson expects that Jordan will find a way to continue to improve.  He has made big strides from season to season every year he has been in the program and this season is no exception.  Jackson continued by saying that Brown enjoyed his best off-season of his career and feels great entering fall camp.  If Brown continues his ascendance in 2018, he will be the next Jackrabbit who is drafted.  During the junior combine he ran in the 4.3's and with his frame and production he could be an attractive prospect for any NFL team. 


#18 Marshon Harris (5-11, 180) is back as a true junior.  Harris saw his playing time increase as the season went along and he made plays through out the season.  His strip and forced fumble in the Dakota Marker game was one of the most iconic plays of the 2017 season. Marshon finished the season with 26 total tackles and 6 passes defended, and 1 interception.  Jackson expects that Marshon will continue to grow as a play maker and will become more physical as a tackler.  He said that Harris has added weight and strength this off-season and that should translate onto the field this fall.  Jackson shared that Marshon is very smart and instinctual and that he is fully trusted to handle the nickle spot.

#21 Donald Gardner (6-1, 175) is 100% back from a knee injury that ended his 2018 season.  Gardner was a highly touted recruit out of Chicago and has tremendous ability.  Jackson said that Gardner brings a tough gritty attitude to the position group and that he is very physical and a good tackler. Only a sophomore, he possess a boatload of potential and had enjoyed a solid fall camp before injuring his knee in the opener versus Duquesne. 


#19 Malik Lofton (5-10, 185) is coming off his red shirt freshmen season and according to Jackson, a terrific summer.  Lofton comes from Hopkins High School in the Twin Cities and spent his red shirt season preparing his body for the grind of college football.  He was a heavily recruited player who had offers from FCS and FBS schools. Jackson shared that Malik loves football and is a total student of the game; studying tape of spring ball practices and wanting to learn more and improve his technique.  Malik is a natural play maker and will compete for reps as the nickle corner.

#25 Bryce Banks (6-2, 195) is transferring in from North Carolina State.  He looks different because of his raw size.  Because he played against ACC competition and played in Florida State, Banks won't be intimidated by the big stage.  Jackson shared that Banks is really smart and that he is learning the scheme easily and that he is a hard worker that is spending time working on his craft.  Jackson knows it will take time to build relationships with the rest of his teammates but that will come.  

#23 Zy Mosley (6-0, 180) is now a junior after productive freshman and sophomore campaigns. Zy is big and physical and continues to improve his consistency.  Zy has all the ability and the potential to be very good.  His wealth of in-game experience is a big advantage for him.  Jackson said that Zy will also be expected to make a difference on the special teams units this season.  Zy made 21 tackles last year to go with 7 passes defended and an interception.

 #29 Lance Eide (5-8, 185) is a junior from Clear Lake who gives great effort on the special teams units.  Lance registered 3 tackles and blocked a kick last season. Jackson shared that Lance will need to continue to work hard as the team lost a few special teams coverage unit standouts.  Lance is very smart and can fill in as needed and has earned the trust of Coach Jackson.  Lance is well respected by his teammates because of his effort and consistency.

#42 Shedrick Flournoy (5-10, 175) joins the Jackrabbits as a red shirt freshmen from Lakeland, Florida.  He has a lot to work on but also holds a lot of potential. 

#19 Ti'Jaih Davis (6-1, 180) is an athletic freak from Boys Town, Nebraska.  He will be a true freshman this season.  Jackson said he is very bright and learns information quickly.  He has already been commended as a hard working during the summer workouts.  He has a lot of learning to do but he also played quarterback for his high school so digesting a playbook shouldn't be anything new.  Check out his highlights here. 


#24 DyShawn Gales, (5-11, 165) a freshmen, is also a former high school quarterback from North Chicago.  He is still learning the position but is a hard worker and very smart.  He will be expected to contribute in the future and has big upside and potential.  See his highlights here.

Again, this is certainly a group that has big time potential and will be a strength for the Jackrabbit defense.

-GoJacks
Matt

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