Position Preview: Cornerbacks
This blog will be part one of our Position Preview. Each blog will look at one position group on the team and give a preview for what Jackrabbit fans can expect this year. We are kicking off the position preview with the cornerback group.
The Jackrabbits return all of their cornerbacks from the 2016 team and are joined by three talented players who red-shirted their freshmen year as well as one highly touted freshman. The group had an up and down year but that experience should pay off in 2017. There were certainly high points in the season. Holding Youngstown State to only 152 yards passing in the Hobo Day victory would be one. However, there were also games that proved to be frustrating as opponents moved the ball through the air too easily (Think Southern Illinois and allowing 5 touchdown passes and 466 yards passing). Obviously, allowing this many yards is a combination of things; pass rush, poor communication between levels, not playing assignment football (do your 1/11th), and just some bad luck.
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 now for SDSU. The group should be very competitive this year and everyone will need to fight for playing time.
#9 Jordan Brown returns for his junior season. Brown had a solid sophomore year after playing spot duty as a freshman. Brown has worked hard this off season and has added muscle while jumping from 180 lbs to 195 lbs. Last year Brown recorded 40 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 passes defended. Jackson said, "Brown needs to have a breakout season for us. He is an emerging leader of the secondary." Look for Jordan to make a jump and become an all-conference type of performer.
#8 Anthony Washington is back for one last year as a Jackrabbit. Washington joined the program from Laney College. If you remember the spring game, Washington had an excellent interception. Jackson credited Washington for being a "very good tackler in 2016." as he was fourth on the team with 57 stops. Washington will need to continue to improve his consistency in his coverage or he may be jumped on the depth chart by the younger players.
#18 Marshon Harris is back as a true sophomore. Harris possess a great combination of size and athleticism. Jackson stated that Harris "Has added strength and maturity and will align on the slot wide receiver." Marshon looks to be a very natural cover corner and has the opportunity to really contribute this fall.
#23 Zy Mosley returns for his sophomore season. Zy is a big, physical guy who has shown "big play ability" according to Jackson. Mosley will need to become more consistent this season. There were times in 2016 where he appeared frustrated and that may have affected his performance.
#16 Donald Gardner will look to get on the field for the Jacks following his redshirt season. You might remember Gardner as he was a highly touted recruit from the Chicago area in 2016 . Jackson is "very excited about Gardner's potential" as he "made a lot of plays during the spring season." Gardner will just need to gain more experience and work hard in practice in order to jump past the veterans.
#21 Monte McGary is also coming off of his redshirt season. Monte spent the year getting used to the cornerback position as he primarily played wide receiver in high school. Jackson shared that "McGary's potential is through the roof." With that type of athleticism and physical characteristics look for McGary to make a push for playing time.
#27 Lance Eide is a sophomore from Clear Lake. Look for Lance to contribute mainly on the variopus special team units where he can be a force. Jackson said that "Lance is a tough kid that is relentless."
Malik Lofton will be a true freshman this year. Lofton comes from Hopkins High School in the Twin Cities. He was a heavily recruited player who had offers from FCS and FBS schools. Coach Jackson said that Lofton "possesses a great feel for the game" and reminds him of Jackrabbit great JeRyan Butler. Lofton has been on campus already this summer and is working hard. .
-GoJacks
Matt
The Jackrabbits return all of their cornerbacks from the 2016 team and are joined by three talented players who red-shirted their freshmen year as well as one highly touted freshman. The group had an up and down year but that experience should pay off in 2017. There were certainly high points in the season. Holding Youngstown State to only 152 yards passing in the Hobo Day victory would be one. However, there were also games that proved to be frustrating as opponents moved the ball through the air too easily (Think Southern Illinois and allowing 5 touchdown passes and 466 yards passing). Obviously, allowing this many yards is a combination of things; pass rush, poor communication between levels, not playing assignment football (do your 1/11th), and just some bad luck.
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 now for SDSU. The group should be very competitive this year and everyone will need to fight for playing time.
#9 Jordan Brown returns for his junior season. Brown had a solid sophomore year after playing spot duty as a freshman. Brown has worked hard this off season and has added muscle while jumping from 180 lbs to 195 lbs. Last year Brown recorded 40 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 5 passes defended. Jackson said, "Brown needs to have a breakout season for us. He is an emerging leader of the secondary." Look for Jordan to make a jump and become an all-conference type of performer.
#8 Anthony Washington is back for one last year as a Jackrabbit. Washington joined the program from Laney College. If you remember the spring game, Washington had an excellent interception. Jackson credited Washington for being a "very good tackler in 2016." as he was fourth on the team with 57 stops. Washington will need to continue to improve his consistency in his coverage or he may be jumped on the depth chart by the younger players.
#18 Marshon Harris is back as a true sophomore. Harris possess a great combination of size and athleticism. Jackson stated that Harris "Has added strength and maturity and will align on the slot wide receiver." Marshon looks to be a very natural cover corner and has the opportunity to really contribute this fall.
#23 Zy Mosley returns for his sophomore season. Zy is a big, physical guy who has shown "big play ability" according to Jackson. Mosley will need to become more consistent this season. There were times in 2016 where he appeared frustrated and that may have affected his performance.
#16 Donald Gardner will look to get on the field for the Jacks following his redshirt season. You might remember Gardner as he was a highly touted recruit from the Chicago area in 2016 . Jackson is "very excited about Gardner's potential" as he "made a lot of plays during the spring season." Gardner will just need to gain more experience and work hard in practice in order to jump past the veterans.
#21 Monte McGary is also coming off of his redshirt season. Monte spent the year getting used to the cornerback position as he primarily played wide receiver in high school. Jackson shared that "McGary's potential is through the roof." With that type of athleticism and physical characteristics look for McGary to make a push for playing time.
#27 Lance Eide is a sophomore from Clear Lake. Look for Lance to contribute mainly on the variopus special team units where he can be a force. Jackson said that "Lance is a tough kid that is relentless."
Malik Lofton will be a true freshman this year. Lofton comes from Hopkins High School in the Twin Cities. He was a heavily recruited player who had offers from FCS and FBS schools. Coach Jackson said that Lofton "possesses a great feel for the game" and reminds him of Jackrabbit great JeRyan Butler. Lofton has been on campus already this summer and is working hard. .
-GoJacks
Matt
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