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University of Minnesota Athletics
Player Profile: Jalen Myrick
8/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Cornerbacks Briean Boddy-Calhoun and Eric Murray helped Minnesota boast one of the best secondaries in the country last year. However, with both of them departed for the NFL, the Gophers need a new playmaker to step up and be their shutdown corner.
Jalen Myrick is ready to take on that role ( ESPN).
Myrick excelled on special teams early on in his career. He collected only four tackles on special teams his freshman season but came into his own as a returner the next year.
As a sophomore, Myrick finished second in the Big Ten with 28.2 yards per return. He flashed his incredible speed with a 100-yard return for a touchdown. Myrick also began to show his skills as a cover corner, finishing second on the team with seven pass breakups and taking an interception to the house.
Myrick took those cover corner skills to a new level his junior season. He started in seven games and played in 10 last season.
The Bloomingdale, Ga., native proved his worth early on as a defender with a standout game against Purdue. Myrick snagged two passes away from the Boilermakers and took one back for six to help the Gophers win in a blowout.
Defensively, he finished with three interceptions, one touchdown, three pass breakups and 27 tackles. In the return game, he averaged 21.4 yards on 12 returns. He was named All-Big Ten Honorable Mention.
