ASU lands biggest ever mid-year transfer group

Landing December graduates who can enroll in the spring, will always be one of the primary goals of each school's recruiting class. Historically, ASU has been able to achieve that feat each year with a handful or less of commits as of today it saw eight such prospects sign with the Sun Devils this month.

Let's go ahead and review the first wave of newcomers joining Arizona State's 2016 squad.

Christian Hill - the 6-6 265-pound defensive end is perhaps the most intriguing newcomer of the entire class; let alone the mid-year transfer group. Has traveled a path eerily similar to that of former ASU linebacker and one of the stars of the 1996 season, Derrick Rodgers, as Hill served in the Air Force straight of high school and then joined a junior college. Locally at Glendale Community College, Hill tallied eight sacks and earned All-Conference honors.

Hill is a very athletically raw player, and surprisingly fast for his size. At the same time, his rawness is also shown in his mechanics and technique, and the fact that he missed several games this year (posted just 12 tackles, three for loss and one sack) with a knee injury isn't going to accelerate his development. Perhaps more than any other early enrollee, Hill will truly need a productive spring practice so he can enter fall camp with having a legitimate shot at capturing a niche in the two-deep.

J'Marcus Rhodes - with an immediate need at cornerback ASU was able to attract and land a couple of quality corners with one them being the Kilgore, Texas standout who posted 33 tackles and three interceptions this year.

At 6-2 205 lbs. Rhodes first and foremost brings the physicality element that the ASU coaches were coveting for this position. Yet, don't be fooled by his above average size for a corner and assume that consequently he doesn't have the quickness and the coverage skills to play the position. Rhodes has shown the necessary swiftness to defend receivers that are smaller than him and obviously the more physical wideouts are not going be able to overpower him.

Koron Crump - it's often a bonus when a program can land a quality prospect from the fertile junior college grounds of Kansas, and this Fort Scott Community College standout could very well be an impact player from day one in 2016.

The 6-3 230-pound Crump is a deft pass rusher who in 2015 collected 54 tackles, 16.5 of them for a loss and 11 sacks. Likely to play Devilbacker in ASU's scheme, but could also be a rush end if needed and lining up at every linebacker spot outside of SAM isn't outside of the question either. He definitely will have to bulk up some because he won't be to always use his exceptional quickness and athleticism to get into the backfield. Nonetheless, watching his film the explosiveness, let alone the ability to run down skill players from behind is nothing short than impressive.

Maurice Chandler - the Lawton. Okla. native was a one-time commit to the Sooners, but shortly after his official visit to Tempe he decommitted from Oklahoma as ASU eventually beat out Nebraska for his services. Chandler may just be the best prospect in this mid-year transfer group.

In many regards, the 6-1 190-pound Chandler from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College is a carbon copy of his fellow newcomer J'Marcus Rhodes. Good combination of speed and size, perhaps better on the physical side though which makes him a great fit at boundary corner. He thrives on playing man to man coverage, and is a good instinctive player and a ball hawk.

A.J. McCollum - another prospect who was previously committed to another school, that ASU was able to convince to switch his allegiance and decommit from Cal. With the departure of Nick Kelly ASU wanted to improve their depth at center and with the 6-1 290 McCollum the Sun Devils are getting a gritty, blue collar player which his mean streak more than compensates for being smaller and less athletic than some other players at his position. Won a state championship this year with City College of San Francisco.

Tyson Rising - the 6-4 280-pound lineman from Ventura (Calif.) College blew up late in the recruiting cycle attracting offers from Oregon, Houston, Colorado and Washington State among others. A good pass blocker with solid athleticism that will have to refine his play against the run and further sharpen his pass blocking skills. Could perhaps play guard if needed, but all in all a good addition to an ASU offensive line that is losing four starters and has true competition at the only role that has returning starters - the ever important left tackle role.

Marshal Nathe - the local Peoria Centennial High School offensive guard was all but assured to redshirt anyway, and a torn ACL suffered in-season will now guarantee that. The unfortunate part is obviously not having the 6-3 292-pound lineman get a true head start in spring practice, so all Nathe can hope for now is being fully healthy for fall camp. Another lunch pail and nasty lineman with a non-stop motor, who's work ethic will be second to none. Probably just as important, Nathe is a local player who craved being a Sun Devil and has expressed how delighted he has been to have achieved that feat.

Jared Bubak - ironically the 6-4 240 pounder grew up in Lincoln, and ultimately decommitted from the hometown Huskers realizing that the three-back role a versatile tight end in ASU's offense will suit him better. Another quirky fact here is that Bubak was actually the quarterback at Lincoln Christian High School and didn't play at tight end.

In general, Bubak is more of a three-back than a pure tight end who has above average speed and receiving skills for his position, but he will definitely need to improve on his blocking skills. Has a the frame to be physical for sure, and now it would be a matter of how fast his weight room work and technique development come along and again how much does he develops from spring to fall camp to make a serious run at a two-deep spot. His position does lack depth and a solid spring could make him a serious contender to not redshirt.

Nathe and Bubak have already signed their Grant-in-Aid forms with ASU. Follow us all throughout the day as we will report on the junior college prospects signing with ASU as well.

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