STEPHENVILLE – Defensive backs delivered in Tarleton State’s first-ever FCS Playoff game last season.
The Texans’ defensive backfield made game-changing plays as they had all season long, capped off by a Jeremiah Postell interception that led to a Tarleton State touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Even with a senior-led core and a handful of gifted newcomers, however, progression is still the mindset for Tarleton State’s defensive backfield.
“Every day we take the approach that we want to get 1% better and keep stacking days,” cornerbacks coach Devante Sims said. “We know it’s not going to be a complete change in one day. Our big thing every day is to come out and be competitive in every drill we do. As long as we’re competing in every drill, we have a chance.”
Defensive backs were the shining stars early in Tarleton State’s fall camp, making one clutch play after another. Even when they do their job, they are still dissecting ways to perform it to perfection.
The attention to detail has allowed the room to carry the momentum from last season into fall camp.
“We try to make our weaknesses our strengths and our strengths our habits,” senior defensive back Dabari Hawkins said. “That 1% goes into identifying what we need to work on and working at it every day.”
Senior defensive back Kasyus Kurns was UAC Second Team All-Conference last year after starting all 14 games to go with three forced fumbles and nine pass breakups. The Preseason All-UAC selection is once again a leader to the defensive backs’ room, a role he welcomes with open arms.
Kurns is a father to a pair of young boys at home, with his youngest son being born days before he was scheduled to represent the Texans at UAC Media Day in Arlington last year. Being a dad has made him a better leader in the room, he said.
“(Fatherhood) has helped me so much because the things that I do off the field translate to on the field. How you do anything is how you do everything,” Kurns said. “That’s been one of the things I’ve really cherished. I want to be a role model and be the best I can be to the best of my abilities. I just carry that on the field and be the best that I can be.”
Hawkins adds veteran experience in addition to Kurns, breaking up eight passes to go with three interceptions in 2024. Senior Les Odimara was a major minutes player last season, playing eight games before an injury sidelined him. The senior-led defensive back class also includes Ja’Voni Melidor, Blake Smith, Greg Eggleston Jr., Hagan Stephenson and Postell.
The Texans also added six transfers, including a pair of Division I players from 2024 in David Spruiells (North Texas) and Deaubry Hood (Arkansas State).
With so much returning talent, it’s easy to point that as one of several reasons Tarleton State was ranked in the top 10 preseason poll both in the Stats Perform and AFCA Coaches Poll. The preseason rankings are not fueling the defensive backs’ fire, however.
Improving with every snap is.
“We try to keep our eyes away from the preseason rankings because we know at the end of the day the only thing that matters is what happens at the end of the season,” Sims said. “The big thing is coming in with energy, effort, and playing our style of football. Every day I’m stressing to those guys about taking game reps in practice, so when the game comes its second nature.”
Be the first to comment