By Ernie Gonzalez (@superego1012):
Abolitionist Harriet Tubman and San Jose State defensive back Dakari Monroe have one thing in common.
Both are future faces of currency.
One of them will be the face of the twenty-dollar bill in 2020 and the other will be the face of the “MoneyTeam” in 2018.
With seniors Andre Chachere, Jermaine Kelly and Maurice McKnight all departing to pursue careers in the NFL, that leaves Monroe, the 2018 senior to oversee the secondary.
Monroe had the game of his life in the three-point senior day win over Wyoming and was the well-deserved player of the game.
A pair of first half interceptions, one that led to a touchdown and one that stopped Wyoming’s drive late in the first half proved to be the difference in the win.
The cornerback concluded the 2017 season with 32 tackles 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, three interceptions and three pass breakups. He entered last season with just 17 tackles and 1 pass breakup in the two seasons before.
Other seniors on the SJSU secondary will be Chad Miller, who missed the 2017 season because of an offseason stabbing incident and Brandon Ezell, a junior college transfer who just completed his first season as a Spartan.
Beside Miller and Ezell, Monroe will supervise three Tres. Junior Trevon Bierria behind him at the safety position, Tre White, and Tre Webb. White, the to-be redshirt freshmen and Webb, the to-be redshirt sophomore.
Webb saw playing time in all thirteen games this past season and proved he isn’t afraid to step-up if needed. The 6-foot corner totaled 31 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and a pass breakup in 2017 and hasn’t reached his ceiling.
Tre White is continuing to learn from defensive backs coach Will Harris and was recognized for a couple of Scout Team player of the week awards throughout last season.
White comes out of the Bay Area’s prestigious De La Salle High School in Concord and there is no doubt the MoneyTeam’s currency, “Ratchet Dollars” will rack up with White in the lineup.
It’s without question that the 2018 MoneyTeam will present itself differently, but if there’s one position that San Jose State has tubed into the league, it’s DBs.
Mr. Monroe, the keys are yours.