Arizona State Football 2014 Spring Wrap Up

Strengths & question marks coming out of spring

The Sun Devil offense is loaded with dynamic playmakers. The explosive D.J. Foster takes over as the lead back after two excellent years spilt at running back or receiver. Behind him are speedy veterans Kyle Middlebrooks and Deantre Lewis, and three highly-touted recruits—Demario Richard, Kalen Ballage, and De’Chavon Hayes—are joining the mix and all should play a role this fall. Jaelen Strong is the leading returning receiver in the Pac-12, and could be an All-American candidate. Alongside him are Ellis Jefferson, arguably the team’s spring MVP, and speedster Cameron Smith. Tyler Whiley and Eric Lauderdale are a pair of four-star newcomers at wide receiver that most expect will see significant time this fall. Running this show is senior quarterback Taylor Kelly, coming off a year in which he threw for 3,635 yards and 28 touchdowns while running for 608 yards and nine scores. Scoring points shouldn’t be a problem for ASU.

On the flip side, stopping the opposition may be. The front seven of the ASU defense is full of questions, as only one starter—SAM backer and rising star Salamo Fiso—returns. Up front, the defensive line was mostly a disappointment in spring. The staff is hoping Marcus Hardison can live up to his juco hype and Jaxon Hood returns to his 2012 Freshman All-American ways, but while both have that potential, neither put together a good spring. Defensive tackle Mo Latu ended spring very well, but the coaches are hoping he can lose 50 pounds off his current 380-pound frame. Barring a major upswing in fall camp, the Sun Devils will need a deep corps of talented recruits—tackles Dalvon Stuckey, Tashon Smallwood, Connor Humphreys and end Renell Wrenn—to make an immediate impact in order to keep pace in the Pac-12

Name a few breakout players to keep an eye on in 2014

Safety Damarious Randall burst onto the scene with 17 tackles in his first start against Notre Dame, and never looked back. He became one of the defensive top playmakers, capped by a big pick six to seal the win against Arizona. Randall was sensational again during spring, and it would be something of an upset not to see him on the All-Pac-12 team in December.

ASU needs someone to step up along the defensive line, and the hope is that top-ranked junior college tackle Dalvon Stuckey can be that guy. Stuckey has the size and quickness to be the type of penetrating weapon the Sun Devils have had in recent years, and with the lack of experience up front, he may have to be that from day one for ASU’s defense to compete.

The Sun Devil offense relies on their tight end—or 3 back—being a versatile component, and senior De’Marieya Nelson fits the bill perfectly. At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Nelson showed quick feet, excellent blocking, and good speed last season as Chris Coyle’s backup, and even saw time at running back due to his power-running ability. ASU offensive coordinator Mike Norvell has raved about his potential, and he should get the touches needed to challenge for an All-Pac-12 spot, but he will have to eliminate the drops that often pop up in his game.

Grade each position group

QB: A-

Taylor Kelly returns for his third year as the team’s starter, and while overshadowed in conference by Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley, Kelly is nevertheless one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. Redshirt junior Mike Bercovici surprised many by not transferring this offseason, and provides a solid arm as Kelly’s backup.

RB : A

Even without Marion Grice and his 20 touchdowns, this should be a significant team strength. After two years spent splitting time at receiver (101 catches) and running back, the dynamic D.J. Foster will be the team’s primary back, and a solid candidate for All-Pac-12 honors. Veterans Deantre Lewis and Kyle Middlebrooks give veteran depth, but a trio of newcomers has cpoaches and fans excited. Demario Richard is a traditional “do it all” workhorse back, 6-foot-3, 220-pound Kalen Ballage brings a power element, and speedy De’Chavon “Gump” Hayes gives coaches a change of pace option and return threat.

WR/TE: A-

Kelly will have no shortage of targets this fall. Jaelen Strong is one of the nation’s elite receivers, and should only get better in his second year in the offense. Big bodied redshirt freshman Ellis Jefferson (6-foot-4) was excellent during spring, and can play both the slot and outside. After Strong’s success in 2013, ASU hopes to hit juco gold again with Eric Lauderdale, who like Strong, is another dangerous mix of size and speed. Tight end De’Marieya Nelson may be the team’s best athlete. While still developing as a receiver, Nelson is a terrific in-line blocker and will be used in a variety of creative ways to get him the ball, including short-yardage running back.

OL: B

The line replaces two starters, but one of those spots is being filled by former 5-star tackle and Auburn transfer Christian Westerman. Two year- starter Jamil Douglas slides out to left tackle, and that should secure Kelly’s blindside. The staff likes new center Nick Kelly’s athleticism, but the unit’s physicality and strength at the point-of-attack will need to improve, as the two losses to Stanford last year illustrated.

DL: Incomplete

Based on the lackluster performance in spring, it stands to reason that ASU’s line will be heavily impacted by the groups of newcomers arriving this summer. Dalvon Stuckey was the nation’s highest-rated juco defensive tackle, and the staff is hoping he can provide a Will Sutton-like presence. Mo Latu was a spring standout, and could be a dominant run-stopper if he can slim down over the summer. The defensive end spot will be a key battle during camp, as the team will need pass rushing help.

LB: C-

SAM backer Salamo Fiso is the lone returning starter, and the instinctive redshirt sophomore should be a top rangy playmaker. True freshman D.J. Calhoun is undersized (202 pounds) but quickly earned the starting job at WILL during spring. He has tremendous range and tackling ability, but whether he can handle the rigors of the Pac-12 at his current size remain to be seen. Laiu Moeakiola ended spring as the team’s SPUR starter (hybrid outside linebacker/safety) but may receive a push in the fall from freshman Jamal Scott, whose skills are tailor-made for the role. Great concern remains at Devilbacker, the defense’s primary attacking piece. Chans Cox, Ami Latu, and Eriquel Florence all failed to make an impact this spring, so newcomer Darrius Caldwell will get a long look at the job in August.

DB: B-

With Damarious Randall the lone certainty, the team hopes that Marcus Ball or Jordan Simone can lock down the job opposite him. Lloyd Carrington saw extensive time last year, and has a good line to earn one starting cornerback job. Rashad Wadood and Solomon Means had positive springs, and newcomer Kweishi Brown should be a big factor in that mix when he arrives in fall camp.

ST: C

First the positive: kicker Zane Gonzalez led the nation with 25 made field goals, even though he had a few makeable misses. The rest was ugly, leading to the departure of special teams coordinator Joe Lorig. Sophomore punter Matt Haack is looking to put a bad year behind him, and he did look much better during the spring. Kyle Middlebrooks and Damarious Randall handled return duties during the spring, and De’Chavon Hayes, Chad Adams and DeAndre Scott will get a look this fall.

What can we expect from Arizona State in 2014? 

The reigning Pac-12 South champs will have a tough, but manageable, road to a repeat title. The offense should be among the nation’s most explosive right out of the gate, but with so many new pieces on defense, a bunch of 45-42 games may be on the horizon.

The schedule breaks well, with byes before big games against UCLA and Stanford, and both of those defining games come in Tempe. With three “easy” games (Weber State, New Mexico, Colorado) and a bye before the UCLA game, the defense could be ready to compete before the meat of the schedule kicks in.

The offense should keep ASU in the division race all season long, and it will be the play of the defense that determines if Sparky keeps the crown. Predicted record: 8-4

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Brad Denny of KTVK 3TV provided the information for our Arizona State football 2013 spring wrap up.  For more ASU football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Brad on Twitter @BDenny29.

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