Edwards not concerned about D-line’s depth
Today:
Overview
The biggest departure here is that of nose tackle Renell Wren, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round. However, several others who started or saw significant playing time return, most notably sophomore Jermayne Lole (6-2, 270), junior Shannon Forman (6-2, 304) and senior George Lea (6-3, 275).
Lole became a starter midway through last season and was one of the many true freshmen who had a significant impact on the defensive side of the ball.
Last season, the Sun Devils ranked 74th out of 129 FBS teams in rushing defense, allowing 170.5 per game and were 93rd in red-zone defense. ASU tallied 29 sacks, which ranked only seventh in the Pac-12 and 57th overall. New defensive line coach Jamar Cain will be looking for improvement in those areas.
This unit was the area of greatest concern over the spring as the Sun Devils were at times down to four healthy defensive linemen with Forman (back) and Lea (knee) both out and sophomore D.J. Davidson (6-4, 325) working his way back from a broken ankle sustained late last season.
The situation was so dire that two offensive linemen — sophomores Corey Stephens (6-3, 278) and Mark Walton (6-6, 251) — were moved to defense just so the team could run drills with a full complement of players.
Cain says no decision has been made on whether those two will remain on defense or go back to offense.
Cain isn’t panicking. He chalks his relatively calm demeanor up to the fact that he faced a similar situation in the first of his two seasons at Fresno State.
“I probably would be a little worried if I hadn’t gone through that same situation before,” he said. “Of course going through that the first time wasn’t easy but those are the experiences you learn from and that has definitely been the case.”
Head coach worried either.
“People forget we Herm Edwards only play isn’t with three,” he said of the Sun Devils’ 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
Three questions to be answered
1. Will the coaching change make a difference? This isn’t the first coaching change at this position with Cain ASU’s fifth DL coach in as many seasons. The transition appears to have gone smoothly although Cain says his players still don’t know the physical demands he will be putting on them because he had to go a little lighter on them in the spring with depleted personnel.
2. The unit was thin during spring practice. Is there reason for concern? Just a little. ASU signed a couple of defensive linemen and addressed the need through a couple of transfers. It may just take the unit some time to gel.
3. What newcomer could have the biggest impact? The best bet would be Roe Wilkins, a graduate transfer from Rice who started there the last two years.
About the newcomers
The reinforcements have arrived. Not only did the Sun Devils land the service of Wilkins but they also have another transfer in T.J. Pesefea (6-4, 230), out of American River Community College in Sacramento, Calif. He played one year at that school so he will have three years of eligibility remaining.
The players coming to ASU from high school are Stephon Wright (6-3, 270) out of Los Angeles Cathedral and Amiri Johnson (6-6, 230) out of Diamond Ranch HS in Pomona, Calif.
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About the coach
This is one of just two new additions to the coaching staff as Cain has taken over for Shaun Nua, who departed for the same position at the University of Michigan.
Cain came to ASU after serving in the same position the last two years at Fresno State where he worked wonders with the Bulldogs’ front, taking over a team that was ranked 123rd in rushing defense in 2016 at 242.4 yards per game and helping it improve to 11th (113.4) in 2017.