Starting cornerbacks defect from program
Daniel AbbeyThe much maligned football team’s secondary took another hit this offseason.
Starting sophomore cornerbacks Ronnie Jackson and Raeshon Ball and freshman cornerback Brandon Jackson have left the program.
Kick returner Michael Jean, who was injured late this season, also is gone.
“Everyone is evaluated at the end of the season,” said coach Brian Kelly. “And the evaluation is simple. I want players committed on the field and in the classroom. A number of them were not at the level I wanted.”
Kelly did not disclose any names, but according to the Office of the Registrar, both Jacksons and Jean had dropped their classes for the spring semester and Ball never enrolled.
Players leaving
- CB Raeshon Ball, So.
- CB Ronnie Jackson, So.
- CB Brandon Jackson, Fr.
- KR Michael Jean, Fr.
Ball and Ronnie Jackson were both two-year starters on a secondary that allowed 280.7 passing yards per game last season. They gave up big games to Miami’s Ryne Robinson, Northern Illinois’ Sam Hurd and Western Michigan’s Greg Jennings.
The 280.7 passing yards given up is a drop off from 2004 when the secondary allowed 261.2 yards per game.
Sophomore linebacker Thomas Keith said the players that left were not passionate and committed to winning.
“I wish them the best, but those were the guys that hurt us,” he said. “We can’t be any worse than we were last year, and we are going to get guys back there that are committed to this program.”
Kelly said he takes responsibility for not developing the players to their fullest potential and said they were good kids but he couldn’t get them on the same page.
Ball and Ronnie Jackson were seventh and eighth on the team in tackles with 46 and 44, respectively. Brandon Jackson was the lone true freshman to see action on defense, playing in nine games and recording 10 tackles.
“If you aren’t committed, it’s better you move on,” Kelly said.
