Lake Zurich High School graduate Jack Dwyer is the lone Illinois State safety who saw playing time in the secondary for last season’s playoff team. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
By Dan Verdun
NORMAL – Although the secondary stars of Illinois State’s run to the FCS playoffs last season are gone, the lessons they taught still reside in those who follow.
“Keondre (Jackson) and Dillon (Gearhart) were both the hardest workers in winter and summer workouts. They were leaders by example,” senior Jack Dwyer told Prairie State Pigskin after Saturday’s ISU spring game at Hancock Stadium.
Dwyer is the lone returning safety with game experience for head coach Brock Spack’s Redbirds. The 6-foot, 205-pound Lake Zurich High School product appeared in all 15 ISU games last season. He registered 14 tackles, most of which came on special teams.
“It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “I was always looking up to the older guys that were in front of me and now, four years later I’m that guy.”
Dwyer takes to heart the lessons he learned from starters Jackson and Gearhart, along with reserve C.J. Hodgdon.
“The most important thing I learned from them was film study, because it can help you slow the game down a lot so you understand your keys and know what you’re going to do before the play starts,” Dwyer said.
Jackson, Gearhart and Hodgdon combined for 214 tackles, 13 pass breakups, 7.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and three forced fumbles a year ago. In addition, the trio registered two quarterback hurries and 1.5 sacks.
Following the Redbirds’ postseason run, Jackson played in both the Hula Bowl and the Senior Bowl, all-star events that annually draw the attention of NFL front office personnel.
According to The Athletic, Jackson is ranked as the 24th best safety for the upcoming NFL Draft.
“Keondre always told me to just have fun and to never let one play dictate how the whole game goes. He told me to keep going, be physical and believe in yourself every play,” redshirt sophomore Chris Taylor said.
Stepping into the fray
Dwyer, Taylor and junior Evan Siera are strong candidates to see action at safety as things stand. Yet, another heavy transfer portal period looms with spring ball now in the books.
For Dwyer, who has been at ISU since 2021, transferring was never an option as he waited his turn to see significant playing time in the secondary.
“(I stayed because of) the coaching staff and the culture with all my teammates. I don’t know how I could have ever left my teammates and my best friends. Even if you’re not playing, it’s just a joy and a privilege to be a part of,” he said.
For younger players such as Taylor, it’s all part of the transition of one season to the next.
“We may be young, but we’re coming,” Taylor said. “We saw great talent from Keondre to Dillon. We saw them play and perform. You see what they’re doing now, but we’re a team to look out for.”
Taylor grew up in town and starred in football and track at Normal Community High School. The 6-foot, 180-pounder helped lead the Ironmen to the state football playoffs as well as placing third in the high jump at the state track meet his junior year.
“Every week from football to basketball to track, sports have been in my life,” he said. “Having ISU here as a high-level Division I (was important). I watched them compete and it gave me motivation to come here to do it.”
Stat line
The annual scrimmage, won 10-0 by the Red team against the White team, put a lid on Spack’s 17th spring season practice at Illinois State. … Redshirt freshman Beckham Pellant quarterbacked both teams. The Arizona native was the lone healthy QB on the spring roster. Pellant completed 33 of 47 passes for 258 yards Saturday. … Senior Seth Glatz rushed for 107 yards on 15 carries. The Morton, Ill., product scored the game’s only touchdown with a 17-yard run. … Glenbrook North High School graduate Michael Cosentino kicked a 44-yard field goal accounting for the game’s only other points. … Linebackers Nate Kraus (Yorkville) and Anthony Corona (Silver Lake, Wis.) each recorded nine tackles. … Cornerbacks and Texas natives Cam Wilson and Shadwl Nkuba II combined for 14 tackles and five pass breakups. … Illinois State is scheduled to begin its season Aug. 30 at FBS Oklahoma. … The Redbirds open their home schedule Sept. 6 against Morehead State.
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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