Opportunities for freshmen as ASU begins its season
On the eve of his second season as Arizona State football coach, Herm Edwards believes the Sun Devils are stronger, faster and, in select areas, deeper than in 2018.
Depth overall, though, is an issue particularly in areas like the offensive line where the experience drop-off from starters to backups is steep.
Finding replacements for quarterback Manny Wilkins and wide receiver N’Keal Harry are at the top of agenda for training camp, which begins Wednesday.
But those are far from the only issues that will determine if ASU can match or improve on a second straight 7-6 record and qualify for a third consecutive bowl game.
“There’s not a lot of wasted energy anymore,” Edwards said in a media session Tuesday. “The coaching staff kind of knows who I am, players know that as well. I’m one of those guys, I let everyone be who they are as long as it doesn’t interfere with the football team.
“Things you had to worry about last year trying to implement, it’s already done. That’s the fun part of it for me.”
Offensive and defensive coordinators Rob Likens and Danny Gonzales also assessed their sides of the ball during media day, held before practice begins for the first time in recent years, as did former NFL head coach Marvin Lewis, now an adviser to his longtime friend Edwards.
Without naming names on newcomers – other than those who were already here for spring practice including three freshman quarterbacks – Edwards reiterated his willingness to go young if necessary like he did last year with several defensive players.
“‘Never let the coach make the decision,’ I always tell players,” Edwards said. “Make it obvious because when it’s even, the coach gets to make the decision. It should not be even. If you’re a senior or a junior and a freshman comes in here with probably 20 practices and it’s even, somebody’s got a problem.”
Non-QB incoming freshmen with a chance to play immediately, at least as backups, include tight end Nolan Matthews, defensive lineman Stephon Wright and defensive backs Jordan Clark and Kejuan and Keon Markham.
Edwards stressed the need to identify not only the No. 1 but No. 2 quarterback, backup running back behind Eno Benjamin, offensive line and tight-end depth, in addition to improving net punting, special-teams coverage and finding “a legitimate punt returner.”
“Defensively, we’re three-deep at all positions,” Edwards said. “We were not like that last year at all. We only had five defensive linemen (due to injury) in the spring. Now we’ve got 13-14 guys. Linebackers, there’s a veteran crew there of young guys. The secondary should be very talented. We’re not changing from a 3-3-5, but in the back end of your defense, what are your coverages going to look like with that much talent?”
Defense could lead early
The Sun Devils played to their offensive strength early last season while Gonzales, coming from San Diego State, constructed his defense.
This year, with a new quarterback, could be the reverse with the defense leading the way during non-conference games.
“We were not very good last year,” Gonzales said. “I still don’t think we’re very good now. I think we have the makings to be great (on defense) around here. My thoughts are we’ll make tremendous strides this year. We should be significantly better. Over the next two years, we have a chance to be dominant on defense.”
Likens said he is not expecting one wide receiver to replace Harry, who left a year early and was an NFL first-round draft pick.
“The best offensive football is all about distribution,” said Likens, referencing his experience with Mike Leach and the Air Raid system. “If you have just one guy and that’s all you’ve got, that’s why we had to move N’Keal around so much to keep people from piling up on him.”
After Wednesday night, ASU plans to practice from 7-9:10 p.m. Thursday (without pads) and Friday (in shells) at the Kajikawa practice fields.