Pronunciation: mar-KEZ

Career Highs

Tackles: 4 at Northwestern, 12/12/20

2021 Redshirt Freshman

• Switched to wide receiver during 2021 spring practices

2020 Redshirt Freshman

• Played in six games and started two at defensive back
• Made first career start at Northwestern 12/12/20
• Mayo Clinic Comeback Player of the Year preseason watch list

2019 Freshman

• Missed the season after suffering a knee injury during training camp

High School

• Four-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN
• Ranked No. 91 recruit in the nation by ESPN, No. 108 by 247Sports and No. 108 by Rivals
• Ranked No. 4 athlete in the nation by 247Sports and No. 12 by Rivals
• Ranked No. 11 cornerback in the nation by ESPN
• Ranked No. 14 recruit in Texas by Rivals and ESPN and No. 15 by 247Sports
• No. 8 recruit in Illinois’ last 17 years according to 247Sports
• Beason and Isaiah Williams are Illinois’ two highest ranked recruits since Terry Hawthorne in 2009 and the highest combo since Arrelious Benn and Martez Wilson in 2007
• Ranked as high as No. 54 overall recruit in the nation in March 2018 according to 247Sports Composite
• Four-year letterwinner in football
• Played for head coach Reginald Samples at Duncanville
• 2019 Under Armour All-American selection
• 2018 The Opening Finals participant
• 2019 Polynesian Bowl All-Star
• Led Duncanville to the 2018 6A Division 1 state title runner-up finish at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and a 14-1 record
• Helped Duncanville upset USA Today’s No. 1-ranked team in the country, Allen, in the 2018 6A Division 1 state semifinals at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
• Played defense and offense in high school
• 207 receiving yards and two TDs on 11 receptions as a senior
• 520 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 35 receptions as a junior
• 320 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 36 carries as a junior
• Also ran track in high school with a personal best 10.46 in the 100-meter dash
• Verbally committed to Illinois in March 2018
• Offers included Arizona, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisville, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Oregon State, Purdue, Rutgers, TCU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, UCF, USC, Utah, Washington, Washington State, and Wisconsin

Personal

• Born April 6, 2001
• Son of Ketra and Archie Beason
• One brother, Zeriah, one sister, Rayshauna
• Nicknamed “ezmoneyquez” and “playstation”
• Chose No. 3 because he is the youngest of three
• Picked Illinois because of the, “family environment and great coaches.”
• Plans to become a sports analyst following his playing career
• Majoring in recreation, sport, and tourism