Position Preview: Cornerback

(Photo courtesy of Larry Sellers)

Coach Dan Jackson has built a very talented cornerback room.  This group lost a lot of snaps from last season due to graduation, transition, and injury.  However, Jackson feels that this could be his most talented group during his tenure at SDSU.  Dan also mentioned that this group is incredibly tight.  This off season they made sure to make time for meals with one another and spend time with together outside of training.   

#19 Ti'Jaih Davis, 6-1 180, had a great freshman campaign and played in four games.  He is very athletic and just possesses a great combination of size and speed.  I think Ti'Jaih could have played more as a true freshman but the corner position was plenty deep in 2018 and his service wasn't needed outside of the four games.  Ti'Jaih, a former high school quarterback, has a good understanding of the game and his combination of instincts and understanding help him play faster than most freshman.
  
#21 Don Gardner, 6-1, 180, is coming off of an awesome sophomore season as a special teams ace.  That success carried into the spring and Coach Jackson called it an "unbelievable" jump.  Jackson said that Don has gone from 155 lbs as a true freshman to now weighing in around 180lbs.  He has worked hard to transform his body and it is paying off.  Jackson also credits Don with strong leadership through action. I think Don could provide a big physical presence for the Jackrabbit corners. 

#13 Malik Lofton, 5-10, 190, has made big strides as a leader entering his sophomore season.  It's his third year on campus and he has taken the incoming freshmen under his wing to help coach them.  He's providing a positive energy and focus.  Jackson shared that Malik is a natural play maker who is a student of the game.  He'll be the nickleback this season which is a good fit for his instincts and smarts.

#24 DyShawn Gales, 5-11, 180, also had a very good redshirt season.  Gales was pretty new to the defensive side of the ball but really adjusted quickly.  Jackson shared that Gales is the fastest corner in the group and is just so athletically gifted.  Gales will contribute this season in base defense and will be counted on to make plays in special teams.  DyShawn was recently placed on scholarship in a video that has gone viral.

#25 Jake Aanderud, 5-10, 170, is moving to cornerback from wide receiver.  Aanderud has been described by multiple coaches as one of the toughest guys on the team.  He loves SDSU and representing his home state.  Aanderud is learning the new position but will contribute on special teams in 2019.

#18 Marshon Harris, 5-11, 185, has been a two year starter.  Unfortunately he sustained an off season injury and will likely miss half the year.  He could be available by the end of the season and provide veteran leadership for the stretch run and into the playoffs.  Marshon played as a true freshman so he does have a redshirt year remaining.

Diamond Evans, Jordan Gandy and Torren Union are three highly regarded corners who are joining the program this season.  Evans had offers from many MAC schools but chose SDSU early in the process.  Evans could likely play more than the four games this season.  He just seems to have that "it" factor that a defensive back needs and is physically mature beyond a typical freshman.  Gandy was an all-state selection at corner in Illinois and has a very high ceiling.  He was a player who stood out to me at prospect camp in 2018.  Union played all over in Arizona and his highlight film shows him making plays all over the field from at least 5 different positions.  His athleticism and potential is evident but it will take time to drill into the corner position.

Go Jacks!
Matt

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