Dalys Beanum first caught former Jackrabbit football Coach John Stiegelmeier’s attention while playing wide receiver for Millard West High School in Omaha.
Beanum first fell in love with South Dakota State in his junior year of high school when he took his first visit to Brookings.
“My family and I were treated and taken care of very well,” Beanum said. “The coaches did an excellent job of making me feel like a priority as well.”
Now fast forward five years and the whole FCS football world knows the 6-foot-1, 200-pound wide receiver turned cornerback. But truth be told, South Dakota State is not where Beanum always dreamed of going to school.
“My dream school was always either Texas, Ohio State or Arkansas,” said Beanum, a senior. “Texas and Ohio State would be great schools to attend and play football for. Arkansas hits a little closer to home because a lot of my family is from there, and my parents and sister attended the University of Arkansas, so it would have been a dream.”
But it seems the decision to attend SDSU has worked out just fine. Before this season started Beanum was announced as an FCS Preseason All-American, a Reece’s Senior Bowl watch candidate and a team captain. He is tied for fifth on the Jackrabbits’ career leader charts with 12 interceptions.
“It is an honor to be named a part of the All-American list,” Beanum said. “Especially from where I have come from. Switching to a whole new position going into college and starting close to the bottom of the depth chart, and now being where I am at now, it is something I am proud of.”
Over his four seasons at South Dakota State, Beanum has racked up 77 solo tackles, 44 assisted tackles, 12 interceptions, 31 pass deflections and one forced fumble. Through nine games this season, Beanum has 33 total tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and an 88-yard punt return touchdown.
Beanum’s career hasn’t always been smooth sailing. He underwent shoulder surgery in his junior year that set him back a bit, but it couldn’t stop him from being a standout.
“The shoulder surgery was tough on my mental health because it was my first surgery ever,” he said. “I had a great support system taking care of me and some awesome trainers to go through the adversity with.”
Beanum has changed and developed each year in a variety of ways — getting bigger, faster and stronger are part of that list. But he also has honed his mentality and work ethic as well.
Cornerbacks coach Michael Banks said: “Dalys has become more intentional with his daily approach. He has taken an approach to not just understand his role and assignment, but (the roles and assignments of) those around him as well.”
This year, the Jackrabbits are 7-2 overall record and ranked third nationally in FCS football and have a chance to make it to the national championship game which would make three in a row. Beanum has been a part of both national championships and said the program has changed since it became a powerhouse in FCS football.
“I feel like the standard of winning has grown tremendously since we got a taste of the first national championship,” he said.
The term “The Standard” is a saying that second-year head coach Jimmy Rogers has been working to implant in his players. A third national championship in a row would mean so much to the school and community.
“It would mean the world to get that third national championship,” Beanum said. “I know winning the last two titles meant something to me, winning it for the seniors that year. Now that I am in that senior position it just means a little bit more now.”
Beanum will graduate with an advertising major but he plans to give the NFL a shot. Many scouts have attended practices and games to watch Beanum perform.
“My goal is to get to the NFL — it has been a goal of mine since I was little,” Beanum said.
And the chances of him reaching that goal seem on track.
“NFL scouts are high on Dalys,” coach Banks said. “They like his size and speed and his return ability on special teams.”
Those are all traits that give Beanum an edge over opponents and a better opportunity to make his childhood dream of playing in the NFL come true. But Beanum is not just a football player. Banks said some people who have as many accomplishments as Beanum could be arrogant, but he is a well-rounded and level-headed person and a great teammate.
“One thing people should know about Dalys is that as great of a football player he is, he is an even better person and human being,” Banks said.
Adam Bock, a senior linebacker who has played with Beanum his whole career, said: “Dalys has always been a guy you can count on. Not only is he a great football player, but he is also humble and someone who really cares about his teammates. His success is no accident, as he is always one of the hardest working guys on the team.”
Beanum and the Jackrabbits will be in action against the Fighting Hawks in Grand Forks, North Dakota, in a conference game on Saturday. Game time is 1 p.m.
