Ever since he first arrived in Tempe as a mid-year enrollee two and a half years ago, ASU junior linebacker DJ Calhoun has turned heads.

Calhoun started that spring, earning his way into regular time as one of two true freshmen to start on defense that season alongside defensive tackle Tashon Smallwood. He never stuck at one position, however, working at each of the four linebacker spots – “Will,” “Sam,” “Spur” and “Devilbacker” – and also earning starting reps at the “backer” position in Nickel packages as a sophomore.

He’s had to learn another role as well. As one of the most experienced members of what figures to be a young defense in 2016, Calhoun has emerged as a critical voice.

“I remember when I first came here in the spring and I was just 17 [years old], which is crazy,” he said. “Now I’ve got to take over as one of the leaders and next year is my senior season, it’s crazy…You’ve got to teach the little guys everything and be the big brother to them and also focus on yourself, too.”

This fall, he’s worked at “Will,” which Calhoun calls his “natural” position, in the place for projected starter Christian Sam. Sam hasn’t played since the Cactus Bowl in January after undergoing right knee surgery.

While Calhoun’s first-team position may have been predicated on need, ASU head coach Todd Graham said he doesn’t see Calhoun as just “filling in.”

“DJ is a guy who I think activates people with his physicality,” he said. “He’s a guy that we see as a starter.”

Defensive coordinator Keith Patterson said he expects Sam to be fully ready in time for the team’s Sept. 3 season opener against NAU, but added that Calhoun will still factor in heavily into what the team does.

“DJ would’ve played a lot more last year if it hadn’t been for that broken hand, so they’ve both got a lot of experience,” Patterson said. “I see all those guys as one in the same – Salamo [Fiso], Christian, DJ – and they all have different skill sets.”

What helps Calhoun is his play-making ability. Even while switching between inside and outside roles, he’s combined for 14 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks through his first two seasons. He was particularly effective as an inside rusher in 2015, clogging up the middle in run coverage and also putting up 6.5 sacks.

“He’s an explosive blitzer,” Patterson said. “The problem that DJ poses for people is he’s extremely powerful as well. He has the ability to speed rush, but he also has the ability to power you. He plays a lot bigger than his weight. That’s something I’ve seen different in him this year. He’s up to 230 pounds. He’s a load, and plays like he’s a 255-pounder.”

Calhoun has added bulk this season, looking noticeably bigger while maintaining much of the quickness that sets him apart from most inside rushers. The now-junior said that while the numbers he put up last year were encouraging, he’s still trying to figure out much of the basics.

“I’m just watching the defensive linemen and see how their hands work, and I just try to use whatever mix that I’ve got,” Calhoun said. “I’ve still got to work at it. You’re never going to be great at something, but I just watch them and try to make it work. I know I can do it.”