The Jackrabbit cornerback room will be filled with competition this fall according to cornerback coach Mike Banks. He shared that the group has really developed over the summer and that they return a bunch of talented, experienced players. Losing a player like DyShawn Gales to the NFL hurts but there are plenty of guys in this room who are ready to step-up. It was apparent during the spring game that there is plenty of talent in this group but now we get to see it translate to Saturdays this fall.
The #1 cornerback for the Jacks will be #7 Dalys Beanum (6-1, 200, SR), who I would argue was the top corner for the Jacks last season. In 2023, Beanum finished with 29 total tackles, 5 INT, and 12 passes defended. Dalys already has 11 career interceptions and is just 3 behind the record Charlie Clarksean set from 1970-1973. Coach Banks says that Dalys has embraced the leadership role in the room and that he is serving as a wealth of knowledge for the rest of the guys. Banks credits him with being the hardest worker and the best player of the group and his offseason has been tremendous. Dalys is embracing the national media expectations (likely a consensus pre-season All-American) and has aspirations for the NFL. I love how Dalys just performs on the field. His instincts, work ethic, and natural talent have all combined to create just a tremendous cornerback that ranks right up there with any other corner we have seen at SDSU in the division 1 era.
Fan favorite, #4 Steven Arrell (6-3, 195, SR) is looking to rebound after missing the last half of the season due to an injury. His size and physicality were missed and will be a welcome addition to the group. Banks shared that Steve is knocking off the rust right now on schedule to be back and not miss any time. His length and knack for attacking the football were two strengths that Banks recognized Steve for. With all of the COVID years and redshirt confusion, this is Steven’s last season as a Jackrabbit and he will be graduating.
One of the players who stepped up the most last season was #2 Myles Taylor (6-0, 170, JR). Myles has been a tremendous athlete since he arrived in Brookings but it has always been a matter of staying healthy. Last summer during fall camp, he made a number of “WOW” plays that got everyone’s attention. After Arrell was lost for the season, Taylor needed to play more and he responded with his best season yet recording 10 total tackles and 2 passes defended. He was targeted a number of times in the playoffs and always seemed to respond with tight coverage. Banks said that Taylor has tremendous quickness and twitchiness that you just can’t teach, “He’s “quick as a cat” and can change direction with the best of them. ” Banks continued that Myles is continuing to develop his body so that he is durable enough to play the entire season. This is a big season for Myles!
#22 Colby Humphrey (6-1, 180, SR) joins the Jackrabbits after transferring in from Northern Arizona. According to Banks, the Jackrabbits had a relationship with Humphrey previously as they recruited him out of high school so when he entered the portal there was already familiarity there. NAU is part of the Big Sky conference and Colby played in 24 games for them recording 3 interceptions, 99 total tackles, and 21 passes defended. Banks credits Colby for learning the system quickly this winter and spring and then working hard over the last 7 months with Coach Jacobs to get his body right. Humphrey will have an additional season after this one if he wants it.
One player who had a great spring was #13 Aydan Dauterman (6-1, 185, JR). The staff challenged Dauterman to become more consistent from practice to practice and Aydan responded by doing just that during spring ball. In limited reps last fall, he finished with 7 total tackles, 1 INT, and 2 passes defended. Aydan has all of the tools and just needs the reps but Banks recognized his physicality as a strength of his game. With his size and speed Banks anticipates that he will contribute heavily on special teams this season and will certainly compete to be in the cornerback rotation.
One of my favorite stories of the spring is the good health of #17 Abe Hoskins III (6-0, 185, SR). I shared this story in a previous article but during the post-game autograph session following the spring game. I was moving through the line with my kids and congratulated Abe on a good game and that he was healthy. He responded with a huge smile and said this was the first time that he was healthy for all of winter and spring. His coaches have always recognized him as a tremendous athlete but Banks shared that he is an even better person. He credits him with being a great culture guy in the cornerback room and not letting his circumstances (injury bug) determine his attitude. Banks says that Abe will compete to be in the rotation at cornerback and that he should see time on all special team units after a really good spring and summer.
The next two guys, #6 Jalen B. Lee (6-0, 195, SO) and #16 Noah St-Juste (5-10, 170, RFr) have struggled with injuries and missed a majority of spring ball. This is a big fall camp for both players as they need to show the staff what they have. However, Banks credits Lee with knowing the back 7 of the defense like the back of his hand and Banks thinks he could step in and play anywhere the defense needs him from in the slot, to the boundary, to a sub-linebacker, to either safety position because of this knowledge. When healthy, he is a great press man corner who also has good feet. St-Juste is very efficient mover according to Banks that has great feet and is really explosive. He has struggled with injuries since arriving in Brookings and it has been hard to get a true evaluation on him. He needs to stay healthy so he can get some reps! #30 Cody Cotton (6-0, 175) transferred in from Upper Iowa last season and appeared in 4 games for the Jacks on special teams, recording 2 tackles. Banks said that he is really fast and explosive and that he improves every day and is working hard with Coach Jacobs to get stronger. Banks feels Cotton can contribute on special teams this season.
The Jacks did not add any freshmen to this group in 2024 but have four PHENOMENAL corners committed for the class of 2025.
The cornerback room is incredibly deep. It is not too often when a team returns 4 cornerbacks with starting experience after losing 1 to the NFL but that is where the Jacks find themselves this season. I wouldn’t count out Hoskins, Dauterman, or Lee either as all 3 have some experience, plenty of talent, and have made strides. For Hoskins and Lee, they need to stay healthy and Dauterman needs to stay consistent. This group should make it challenging for opposing offenses to move the ball through the air!
Go Jacks!
Matt
