Johnson part of ASU’s youth movement
Tyler Johnson was as surprised as anyone when ASU linebackers coach Antonio Pierce called him to go in with the first unit the Sun Devils first practice in preparation for Stanford three weeks ago.
To that point he had been getting in games on special teams and he had seen increased time on defense against Colorado, so he was happy to hear his named called to go in with the starting unit for the first time.
Head coach Herm Edwards and his staff have stressed all along that the best players will start and it doesn’t matter who had started under the previous regime or who came in with the most impressive high school resume.
Johnson, a solidly built 6-foot-5, 263pounder, was ready.
“We were getting ready to go out against our first team offense and he (Pierce) told me I was in,” Johnson said, of the first time he got the call. “I was excited that they saw enough in me to put me out there and I just wanted to show them I deserve it.”
Johnson, a graduate of Highland High School in Gilbert, is part of the Sun Devils’ youth movement on the defensive side of the ball. He is one of four freshman now starting, the others being linebackers Darien Butler and Merlin Robertson and safety Aashari Crosswell.
Butler, Robertson, and Crosswell are true freshman but Johnson redshirted last year. It was something he objected to at first but now realizes was a good decision.
“Everybody wants they get here,” he said.
“When I look back now I realize how far I have come since then. It definitely benefited me and I got a lot out of that year. I was much more ready to play this year.”
The ASU defense is coming off perhaps its best outing of the season last Saturday in a 38-20 win over then-No. 16 Utah, holding the Utes to 325 yards — 100 under their season average — and 20 points — half of what they had been scoring in the previous four games.
Johnson managed seven tackles, one more than the previous week and two more than in his initial start.
The Sun Devils (5-4, 3-3) round out the home slate at noon Saturday against UCLA (2-7, 2-4) which is also fielding a young squad and has struggled with turnovers and on special teams.
Johnson’s showing is a big part of ASU’s resurgence. His physical talent is apparent. In high school he participated in track with enough speed to compete in the sprints and the strength to take part in the discus and shot put.
Versatility? He has that too. At the prep level he played every position except tight end and he actually preferred positions on the offensive side of the ball.
He had 22 Division I offers out of college from the likes of Clemson and Alabama.
His father Bill played defensive line at Michigan State and went on to play eight years in the NFL.
Tyler visited that school but decided to stay close to home instead. He had been attending games at Sun Devil Stadium his entire life and couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.
His original commitment was to the previous coaching staff and he thought about going elsewhere when Edwards’ predecessor Todd Graham was fired just because he didn’t like the uncertainty.
Although Johnson’s father originally hoped he would go to Michigan State, he was among those who en- to play when dorsed the Edwards hiring.
“He told me he (Edwards) had been where I want to go and he was one that could get me there,” Johnson said, of his father’s advice.
“When I talked to him (Edwards) and the other coaches he was bringing in I knew it was the right decision to stay here and I’m glad I did.”
Johnson credits his coaches for putting him in the position to excel. He appreciates the attention to detail when it comes down to studying film. He also seeks out advice from others who played with his father but admits some times that gets the best of him and he starts overanalyzing things
“It’s both a blessing and a curse,” he said of having professional football connections.
“I text with guys all the sometimes Istart thinking a much.”
Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales sees NFL potential in Johnson already and has seen his protege go the extra mile.
“He meets with me every day and we go over things,” Gonzales said.
“He really wants to get better and he is very invested in the process. The light has gone on and he has realized how good he can be if works at it. It’s important to him.”
Harvey continues light practice Senior safety Jalen Harvey continues to practice but is not participating in contact drills.
Harvey, who has a team-high 66 tackles, sustained a neck/shoulder stinger 13 plays into the Sun Devils win at USC two weeks ago.
He did play last Saturday in the win against Utah but did so with extra protection around the affected area.
Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales says there was never a question as to whether the player would start.
“He said, `Coach I’m playing,’” Gonzales said.
ASU to honor military personnel In addition to honoring the team’s 16 seniors, ASU will honor military personnel who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces.
The Salute to Service programming begins 30 minutes before kickoff with the Black Daggers parachuting into Sun Devil Stadium and continues with ingame festivities and a halftime swearing-in ceremony. time little but too