'Just a steady guy': Jarrick Bernard-Converse still delivering in Oklahoma State secondary

STILLWATER — Somewhere along the way last season, Jarrick Bernard-Converse earned the nickname “Amazon” from Oklahoma State cornerbacks coach Tim Duffie.

Because he always delivers.

Bernard-Converse has started 33 consecutive games for Oklahoma State, the longest active streak on the team entering the coming season.

And there’s not much better a position to have a long-time starter with deep familiarity with the defense than cornerback.

“Jarrick, he’s just a steady guy,” OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said. “He’s played every play since I’ve been here and you can count on him to be that steady influence.”

And though he isn’t naturally a vocal leader, Bernard-Converse finds ways to influence the team with his voice.

“He’s not the loudest person,” Knowles said. “Jarrick is a really humble guy. But I’ve seen him try to step up with all these younger guys. We’ve had an influx of great talent at defensive back in the younger classes and I’ve seen Jarrick step up. They look up to him. He carries himself and he has a manner of speaking to them that’s different than me.”

For Bernard-Converse, being a leader isn’t just about being vocal, but leading in the direction Knowles wants the team to go.

“This is year four in the system and the young guys look up to us,” Bernard-Converse said. “We’re experienced, so Coach Knowles relies on us to make sure we’re leading the guys in the right way and the way he wants.”

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Though Bernard-Converse was a safety his first two seasons, he’s always been lauded for his coverage skills, which made the move to cornerback a year ago so seamless. Now, with a full year under his belt as a college cornerback, Bernard-Converse is far more comfortable in the role.

“I’m more confident than I ever have been before, because I understand the job,” he said. “I understand more football, in like, I’ve been studying a lot more, so I feel good about it and I’m ready to see what this year brings.”

Story continues below.

OSU defensive back depth chart

Cornerbacks

Starters

Name, Class, Ht., Wt., Hometown (Previous school)

• Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Sr., 6-1, 200, Shreveport, Louisiana (Evangel Chr.)
• Christian Holmes, RSr., 6-1, 205, Leland, Mississippi (Missouri)

Reserves

• Jabbar Muhammad, So., 5-10, 175, DeSoto, Texas (DeSoto HS)
• Korie Black, So., 6-0, 185, Waco, Texas (Connally HS)

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Safeties

Starters

• Kolby Harvell-Peel, Sr., 6-0, 207, College Station, Texas (A&M Consolidated)
• Tre Sterling, RSr., 5-11, 205, Sunnyvale, Texas (Sunnyvale HS)
• Tanner McCalister, Sr., 5-11, 195, Heath, Texas (Rockwall-Heath HS)

Reserves

• Thomas Harper, Jr., 5-11, 180, Knoxville, Tennessee (Karns HS)
• Jason Taylor II, RJr., 6-0, 215, Oklahoma City (Carl Albert HS)
• Sean Michael Flanagan, RJr., 6-1, 210, Charleston, Arkansas (Charleston HS)