While Arizona State redshirt senior left tackle Evan Goodman admitted he is not a vocal leader, he realizes the potential need for one.

For example, take ASU’s game at UTSA in which it trailed by 16 points and narrowly escaped with a win.

Goodman felt the team needed him to step a bit out of his comfort zone and become more vocal.

“Especially during the games when there’s a lull or down point, you need someone to rally the troops and get them ready,” Goodman said. “We needed a leader (at UTSA) to come back.”

But Goodman said there is more to being a leader than just riling up the team.

“You can talk about it, but you have to be about it too,” he said. “When you go out and show it every day, you’re more of a leader.”

ASU’s rebuilt offensive line was one of fall camp’s biggest stories as the unit appeared it could be one of the team’s concerns in 2016.

Quickly, the starting group took shape as Goodman, Sam Jones, Stephon McCray, Quinn Bailey and Zach Robertson started from left to right in the opener.

When Robertson suffered an injury, McCray shifted to right guard, Bailey moved to right tackle and A.J. McCollum was inserted at center. From week two on, that group has been the starting offensive line.

ASU has given up 11 sacks, which ranks about middle of the pack to this point.

“We knew what we had in the locker room and we knew the type of talent we had,” Goodman said. “We knew we had to go out and work hard every day to prove to people that we’re a good offensive line.”

Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey he is pleased with Goodman’s performance and progression this year, noting the tackle’s experience makes him a natural leader.

But the unit’s cohesiveness is its most important quality.

“Those five guys, they have to gel and they have to work together because you see some different looks,” Lindsey said. “With that position, you got to make the block. You either make the block, or the guy makes you whiff.”

On Monday, head coach Todd Graham said USC brought new blitzes and pressures it had not used before, causing a need for rapid adjustment. Goodman echoed the thought, noting that it proved difficult trying to adjust to something they had not previously seen on film and prepared for before the game.

UCLA has nine sacks over its five games. Graham praised the Bruins’ physicality and speed on the inside of their defense.

“You have to respect it,” Goodman said. “Trust your technique and go out every day and keep consistent.”

Goodman said ASU’s defensive line comes up with new blitzes and schemes each week, which helps the offense improve.

But it does not necessarily help the group prepare for its upcoming opponent, he said.

“Our defense is very unique, you don’t see that anywhere else,” Goodman said.

Goodman has seen it all throughout his now four-and-a-half years with the program, but one aspect has stood out.

“Just the talent level of the offensive line got better every year,” he said. “The recruiting of offensive linemen got much better since (offensive line coach Chris Thomsen) has been here and since we’ve been winning more.”

He has also blocked for both mobile quarterbacks and pocket passers. He used to protect Taylor Kelly (mobile) before blocking for Mike Bercovici (pocket). Now, it is Manny Wilkins (mobile). But with his injury, redshirt freshman Brady White (pocket) will most likely start against UCLA.

The same technique applies.

“You’re supposed to block two seconds more than you think you have to, which solidifies the pass and makes sure the ball gets out,” Goodman said.

Since 2013, ASU has had one blowout loss at the beginning of conference play. But each time, it has responded with an equally big win the next week.

It faces the same situation as it tries to bounce back when it hosts UCLA on Saturday.

Goodman’s message after the USC loss: Flush that game and move on to the next one.

”You don’t want to be known as a losing team, you don’t want to be known as a team that falls off,” Goodman said. “You always want to get back on track with anything you do.”