It was easy to fall in love with the promise of then-Arizona State redshirt junior De’Chavon Hayes last spring.

After all, he had just about every trait you could want in a running back – quickness, solid hands, and explosive speed – with a prime nickname, “Gump,” to go with it.

Now, as Hayes preps for his final season with the Sun Devils, he again represents a symbol of hope. This time, however, he’ll don a white defensive jersey, and instead of the hope for stardom he will try his best to bring back competency to a position group coming off of a historically difficult season.

Hayes couldn’t match the expectations that made him a darling among media members and fans alike in his first full spring, perhaps having too much put on his plate too quickly once Kalen Ballage went down with mononucleosis and eventually getting lost in the shuffle. He would finish with 303 total yards as a runner, receiver, and returner, failing to even once reach the end zone.

“A lot of people had hopes for me [last season],” Hayes said. “I was placed on that pedestal, and a lot of people wanted to see me succeed at that high level, and I came out and feel like disappointed myself and a lot of people. I just feel like I use that as motivation because I didn’t give a lot of people what they wanted to see, especially in myself. I didn’t play my game the way I know how to play.”

Hayes would finish the season at a new spot – field corner – a position he had not played since his high school days. He performed about as well as one could expect, coming in and playing admirably in limited time for a secondary that repeatedly found itself prone to giving up the big play.

“There wasn’t any hesitation because I feel like I’m an athlete,” Hayes said. “I feel like I’m one of the best athletes and one of the most versatile players in the country. I played corner in high school, so when they told me I thought it would be the best chance for me.”

What’s followed is a steep learning curve that took place throughout the spring sessions, leading Hayes to once again become a spring football darling and work his way up the depth chart. This time around, he’s throwing his expectations out the window and just trying to contribute. He’s humbled, even surprising himself along the way with some of his progress.

“It’s definitely playing catch-up,” Hayes said. “Some of these guys have been playing corner through [junior college], high school, college so I’m just coming and just learning. I’m taking it down and trying to look at some of the techniques they use and just try to put it in my book to better me.”

The smooth nature of Hayes’ transition has also made an impact on the coaches who interact with him most, including second-year grad assistant Jarred Holley.

“Gump is such a great athlete, and he picks up on things quickly,” Holley said. “It’s just teaching him the little things and the fundamentals of playing defensive back. That’s everybody. Everyone has to learn those fundamentals, and that’s what we’re here for – to coach these guys up. They’re here to play football, and we’re here to coach them up. Gump has been doing a great job.”

Slotting Hayes at field corner appears to be a natural fit, as covering the majority of the field will allow him to rely on speed and instincts and could mask some of the things that may still be lacking for him in coverage. Even as he continues to pick things up, he appears to be in line to start at that spot and has shown plenty of success.

“[Field corner is] where my speed comes in a lot,” he said. “I feel like I can make a lot of plays with my speed, especially with all that field. Sometimes, it’s like I’ve got the advantage.

Hayes still has plenty to grasp come conference play, but he’ll get plenty of looks at different types of receivers during practice. One day, it will be the hulking freshman N’Keal Harry out wide. Others, it will be the crisp route-running of Cam Smith. Other times, it will be him in the slot against the explosive Tim White – a match-up that Hayes called “the best against the best” in terms of speed.

“I have my days where it’s like a roller coaster,” he said. “I have my days [where I struggle], but as of right now I still feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m better than what I was last season.”