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Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Cornerbacks Preview: Chippewas have deep and talented group
8/10/2025 9:53:00 AM | Football
Five players-Marcus Badgett, Brenden Deasfernandes, Jaion Jackson, Aakeem Snell, and transfer Kalen Carroll—all have experience.
MOUNT PLEASANT—In recent years, Central Michigan has been thin at cornerback but that is not the case in 2025 as the Chippewas return five players with collegiate experience in Marcus Badgett, Brenden Deasfernandes, Jaion Jackson, Aakeem Snell, and transfer Kalen Carroll.
The Chippewas lost five-year star Donte Kent to the NFL Draft and Pittsburgh Steelers along with Da'Raun McKinney, but Cornerbacks Coach Christian Dukes is excited about his entire group.
"We've got a bunch of seniors who've been taking charge," Dukes said. "The biggest thing I appreciate with these guys is that they are applying all the coaching points and also bringing the young guys along. Having depth is a neat thing. At the end of the day, our goal is prepare them from a full knowledge standpoint. They have done a great job of learning the playbook. We are fully loaded with talent, and it is extremely competitive. They know that every day, they must bring it because everyone is competing for the same spot in a healthy way."
"Marcus Badgett is a tremendous leader, extremely vocal guy. I love the way that he's bounced back from several injuries and he's worked very hard in the weight room. He also done a heckuva job of going above and beyond to make sure that he's physically and mentally prepared for the season. He's been a leader for our younger guys and we're expecting a big season from him."
"Brenden Deasfernandes is more of a silent assassin, but his presence is felt by the way he works. From day one, he's worked extremely hard, taking every single coaching point, and has truly perfected his craft. We are expecting a big season from him."
"Jaion Jackson is the Tasmanian devil in the group. He's small but plays with big heart. You'd think he's a 6-foot-4 corner with the way he fills gaps in the run game and he's pesty in the passing game. He's a feisty guy on the perimeter and he's done a great job of being a veteran young guy. I'm pleased with his progression."
"Kalen Carroll, who transferred from Cincinnati. He brings a different dynamic to the room in regards to being a quiet assassin. His presence is felt. Since day one, he's put his head down and works. He doesn't feel like he's above anything. You always catch him after practice on the field getting extra reps and he's a film junkie. We are expecting big things from him this year."
"Aakeem Snell reminds you of a receiver from a body structure. He will bring a different dynamic to our room from being able to challenge those vertical threats. Once we get into a red zone situation and a jump ball scenario."
"I'm expecting great things from Jamari Allen. I recruited him previously at another school, we developed a great relationship, but he decided to come here, and I told him I'd see him in the future. Low and behold, I got the job here and we had a chance to reconnect. He's a heckuva an athlete and he's one of those younger guys who's coming along nicely. You'll be hearing about him in the near future. Bryce Rowe is another guy I recruited. You never know how things could go in recruiting. He's a feisty guy, dominant presence on the perimeter, you'll have a chance to see him a lot as well."
2025 CORNERBACKS PERSONNEL ROSTER
0 | Marcus Badgett | 6-0 | 195 | R-Sr. | Red Oak, Texas
3 | Brenden Deasfernandes | 6-0 | 195 | R-Sr. | Detroit, Mich.
8 | Aakeem Snell | 6-3 | 180 | Sr. | Pittsburgh, Pa.
6 | Kalen Carroll | 6-1 | 185 | R-J r. | Indianapolis, Ind.
23 | Kyle Krebs | 6-0 | 195 | R-Jr. | Denver, Colo.
43 | Bryce Lambeth | 6-2 | 180 | Jr. | South Lyon, Mich.
21 | Jamari Allen | 5-11 | 170 | R-So. | Detroit, Mich.
25 | Trey Liebhardt | 5-11 | 185 | R-So. | Chardon, Ohio
4 | Jaion Jackson | 5-10 | 160 | So. | East St. Louis, Ill.
41 | Keyton Jones | 5-9 | 185 | R-Fr. | Avon, Ind.
24 | Bryce Rowe | 5-11 | 165 | R-Fr. | Southfield, Mich.
39 | Max Macklem | 6-0 | 190 | 6-0 | Grand Blanc, Mich.
Sophomore Jaion Jackson returns after starting nine of 12 games as a freshman. One of five freshman cornerback starters in the nation, Jackson finished the year 38 tackles (25 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. He started seven straight games during one stretch of the season.
Senior Detroit native Brendan Deasfernandes returns after playing both safety and cornerback last year. After transferring to Central Michigan from Iowa prior to the 2024 season, Deasfernandez saw action in all 12 games and made 14 tackles (nine solo) on the year. He has played in 26 career games combining his career at Iowa and Central Michigan. He was a 2024 Academic All-MAC selection.
Senior Texas native Marcus Badgett also returns with experience as he has played in 21 career games, including two starts. He has made 17 total tackles with an interception and two pass breakups and has also played a key role on special teams.
Senior Aakeem Snell scored a touchdown on a 46-yard interception return last year in the season opener. He saw action in 10 of 12 games with one start in 2024 but has played in 23 combined collegiate games at both Saint Francis (Pa.) and Central Michigan.
Cincinnati junior transfer Kalen Carroll joins the mix. In three years of action at Cincinnati, Carroll played in 18 games with 13 starts at cornerback and has made 31 career tackles. Last year, he started 10 games and finished the year with 19 total tackles (13 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.
Three other players return after seeing action last season including redshirt junior Kyle Krebs, redshirt sophomore Jamari Allen, and redshirt freshman Bryce Rowe. Krebs played a key role on special teams in recent years, Allen played in four games on defense and special teams, and Rowe saw action in five games on special teams. Junior Bryce Lambeth, redshirt sophomore Trey Liebhart, and redshirt freshman Keyton Jones all are on the squad but have yet to see game action.
True freshman Max Macklem is in his first year on the squad after earning two All-State honors at Goodrich H.S.
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The Chippewas lost five-year star Donte Kent to the NFL Draft and Pittsburgh Steelers along with Da'Raun McKinney, but Cornerbacks Coach Christian Dukes is excited about his entire group.
"We've got a bunch of seniors who've been taking charge," Dukes said. "The biggest thing I appreciate with these guys is that they are applying all the coaching points and also bringing the young guys along. Having depth is a neat thing. At the end of the day, our goal is prepare them from a full knowledge standpoint. They have done a great job of learning the playbook. We are fully loaded with talent, and it is extremely competitive. They know that every day, they must bring it because everyone is competing for the same spot in a healthy way."
"Marcus Badgett is a tremendous leader, extremely vocal guy. I love the way that he's bounced back from several injuries and he's worked very hard in the weight room. He also done a heckuva job of going above and beyond to make sure that he's physically and mentally prepared for the season. He's been a leader for our younger guys and we're expecting a big season from him."
"Brenden Deasfernandes is more of a silent assassin, but his presence is felt by the way he works. From day one, he's worked extremely hard, taking every single coaching point, and has truly perfected his craft. We are expecting a big season from him."
"Jaion Jackson is the Tasmanian devil in the group. He's small but plays with big heart. You'd think he's a 6-foot-4 corner with the way he fills gaps in the run game and he's pesty in the passing game. He's a feisty guy on the perimeter and he's done a great job of being a veteran young guy. I'm pleased with his progression."
"Kalen Carroll, who transferred from Cincinnati. He brings a different dynamic to the room in regards to being a quiet assassin. His presence is felt. Since day one, he's put his head down and works. He doesn't feel like he's above anything. You always catch him after practice on the field getting extra reps and he's a film junkie. We are expecting big things from him this year."
"Aakeem Snell reminds you of a receiver from a body structure. He will bring a different dynamic to our room from being able to challenge those vertical threats. Once we get into a red zone situation and a jump ball scenario."
"I'm expecting great things from Jamari Allen. I recruited him previously at another school, we developed a great relationship, but he decided to come here, and I told him I'd see him in the future. Low and behold, I got the job here and we had a chance to reconnect. He's a heckuva an athlete and he's one of those younger guys who's coming along nicely. You'll be hearing about him in the near future. Bryce Rowe is another guy I recruited. You never know how things could go in recruiting. He's a feisty guy, dominant presence on the perimeter, you'll have a chance to see him a lot as well."
2025 CORNERBACKS PERSONNEL ROSTER
0 | Marcus Badgett | 6-0 | 195 | R-Sr. | Red Oak, Texas
3 | Brenden Deasfernandes | 6-0 | 195 | R-Sr. | Detroit, Mich.
8 | Aakeem Snell | 6-3 | 180 | Sr. | Pittsburgh, Pa.
6 | Kalen Carroll | 6-1 | 185 | R-J r. | Indianapolis, Ind.
23 | Kyle Krebs | 6-0 | 195 | R-Jr. | Denver, Colo.
43 | Bryce Lambeth | 6-2 | 180 | Jr. | South Lyon, Mich.
21 | Jamari Allen | 5-11 | 170 | R-So. | Detroit, Mich.
25 | Trey Liebhardt | 5-11 | 185 | R-So. | Chardon, Ohio
4 | Jaion Jackson | 5-10 | 160 | So. | East St. Louis, Ill.
41 | Keyton Jones | 5-9 | 185 | R-Fr. | Avon, Ind.
24 | Bryce Rowe | 5-11 | 165 | R-Fr. | Southfield, Mich.
39 | Max Macklem | 6-0 | 190 | 6-0 | Grand Blanc, Mich.
Sophomore Jaion Jackson returns after starting nine of 12 games as a freshman. One of five freshman cornerback starters in the nation, Jackson finished the year 38 tackles (25 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss and four pass breakups. He started seven straight games during one stretch of the season.
Senior Detroit native Brendan Deasfernandes returns after playing both safety and cornerback last year. After transferring to Central Michigan from Iowa prior to the 2024 season, Deasfernandez saw action in all 12 games and made 14 tackles (nine solo) on the year. He has played in 26 career games combining his career at Iowa and Central Michigan. He was a 2024 Academic All-MAC selection.
Senior Texas native Marcus Badgett also returns with experience as he has played in 21 career games, including two starts. He has made 17 total tackles with an interception and two pass breakups and has also played a key role on special teams.
Senior Aakeem Snell scored a touchdown on a 46-yard interception return last year in the season opener. He saw action in 10 of 12 games with one start in 2024 but has played in 23 combined collegiate games at both Saint Francis (Pa.) and Central Michigan.
Cincinnati junior transfer Kalen Carroll joins the mix. In three years of action at Cincinnati, Carroll played in 18 games with 13 starts at cornerback and has made 31 career tackles. Last year, he started 10 games and finished the year with 19 total tackles (13 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.
Three other players return after seeing action last season including redshirt junior Kyle Krebs, redshirt sophomore Jamari Allen, and redshirt freshman Bryce Rowe. Krebs played a key role on special teams in recent years, Allen played in four games on defense and special teams, and Rowe saw action in five games on special teams. Junior Bryce Lambeth, redshirt sophomore Trey Liebhart, and redshirt freshman Keyton Jones all are on the squad but have yet to see game action.
True freshman Max Macklem is in his first year on the squad after earning two All-State honors at Goodrich H.S.
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