ASU’s linebacking corps has been an intriguing unit of late, especially for junior DJ Calhoun, who wasn’t necessarily penciled as a starter this season.
In defensive coordinator Keith Patterson’s system, there are only two true inside linebackers: the SAM (field side) and WILL (boundary side) positions. Redshirt senior Salamo Fiso has occupied the SAM spot for years while junior Christian Sam took over the WILL position last year and statistically was one of the Sun Devils’ defensive leaders.
Calhoun still saw the field plenty in 2015, recording 26 tackles and recording the second-most sacks on the team (6.5). However, Fiso led the team in tackles (99) and Sam was second (96).
The linebacker logjam puts Patterson in the enviable position of trying to find a way to get three players that could start into only two spots. A few days ago, once Sam was fully recovered from off-season hip surgery he was inserted into the Spur linebacker role, getting ASU’s three best linebackers on the field at the same time.
“Everybody plays a role. Once the coaches call you, you have to play it,” Calhoun said. “I think overall we’re like a brotherhood. We look at Salamo Fiso and (redshirt senior) Carlos (Mendoza) – even though Carlos doesn’t play as much – we still look at them as big brothers.”
While Calhoun has been running with the first team at the WILL linebacker spot, that isn’t the only place he can make an impact. Patterson’s defense also demands versatility and players who can occupy multiple spots and play them effectively.
With two seasons under his belt and the maturity that comes with being in a program for that length of time, Calhoun has studied the defense’s multiple facets and can morph his play style into whatever the team needs thanks to the diligent preparation he’s put in.
“I’ve been here since I was 17 and I just turned 20,” Calhoun said. “Over the years you go in the film room and watch a lot of film…Watch other players at your position and if the coaches tell you to play it just go ahead.”
Along with developing into an all-around defensive weapon, Calhoun said he is also trying to become more of a leader on defense.
Going into his third year in the program, Calhoun has had time to observe the other leaders at his position group like Fiso and Mendoza.
The two are different but Calhoun takes lessons from both in the way they operate.
“Carlos is more of an off-the-field type of leader,” Calhoun explained, “on the field he’s a hard worker regardless of what he’s doing. Off the field, he’s more about his faith so if you have some troubles you can go and talk to him about that.
“With Salamo, he doesn’t like doing the media stuff and everything but, Salamo, I just love watching him play, just the way he sheds linemen and everything like that.”
Patterson has mentioned that he has made some changes to the defense this year to keep Pac-12 offenses on their toes. That means different alignments, pre-snap movements and of course various coverages.
While Calhoun obviously didn’t want to delve into specifics, he thinks this year’s defense will be difficult to stop with all of the changes.
He mentioned the importance of the defense to perform as a cohesive unit in order to achieve a high degree of effectiveness.
“If one broken chain – if someone gets out of it – then the chain is broken,” Calhoun said. “But if we all practice well, play well, just motivate each other then it will go great.”
Additionally, Calhoun mentioned the defense will get back to what it tends to do best, force pressure and create takeaways. Based on his personal observations in practice, it could be a very good year in that respect.
“Every day we’ve been getting turnovers, takeaways, you name it,” Calhoun said. “I think we’ll probably have the most takeaways in ASU history (judging) from our practices.”
Takeaways, a new scheme, and the versatility to do most anything the defense demands, Calhoun continues to evolve and find his fit in the Sun Devils’ defense, whatever it may be.
