Heading into the fall, one of the largest questions facing ASU football was its offensive line that looked to replace four starters from last season. Surprisingly, the group took shape relatively quickly in fall camp and erased itself from the whiteboard of concerns prior to the 2016 season.
The first team offensive line has been left tackle Evan Goodman, left guard Sam Jones, center Stephon McCray, right guard Quinn Bailey and right tackle Zach Robertson. And perhaps even more surprising than how quickly it cemented itself is how well the unit has appeared to hold up against the defensive line, which was viewed as much stronger before fall camp.
Goodman (11 starts at left tackle) and Jones (three starts at left guard) have the most starter experience of the five.
“I think we had a really good camp, really productive,” Jones said. “Everybody that’s been getting reps deserves them.
“I know a lot of people are surprised at the guys who have been having really good camps or are taking good reps, but I look at anybody that’s been playing in camp and I know what they’re capable of, so I’m not really surprised at all.”
Jones, now a redshirt sophomore, said there are no concerns with a new offensive line tasked with helping jumpstart the two-headed monster of Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage in the backfield along with protecting a first-year quarterback who will not have thrown a pass at the collegiate level.
“I’ve been a part of I guess three offensive lines that have been here,” he said. “I can’t really explain it, it’s just a little bit different feel. We’re just kind of workhorses. We don’t have any hype so we just come to work every day and have to prove it every day.”
Although he said he believes left guard is the best fit for him, he is willing to play anywhere.
“I just got to keep working and get better,” Jones said. “Obviously, technique, all-around, run game pass game, all that stuff.”
With four of five new starters this season, many people may wonder where the vocal leadership will be.
Jones said offensive line coach Chris Thomsen has encouraged a different type of leadership, which players are embracing.
“I’m not a vocal leader at all,” he said. “I don’t get up and give speeches, it’s just not who I am. I don’t think anybody on the line really needs that. Coach Thomsen talks about leading yourself a lot and how leadership isn’t about giving speeches, it’s about what you’re doing on a Tuesday practice in period 12 when you’re getting tired, so that’s leadership to us. I think we’ve all got it down.”
Last season, the Sun Devils opened the year against Texas A&M, a team that featured the stud duo of Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall on its defensive line. ASU’s struggles blocking those two were no secret.
And even though ASU plays a lesser opponent in NAU on Saturday, Jones said there is no room to take the Lumberjacks lightly.
“You got to approach every game like it’s the Pac-12 championship, it doesn’t matter who’s out there,” he said. “Crazy things happen in sports every day, so we’re approaching it like it’s a Pac-12 championship game.”
As it is with every offensive line, Jones said nailing down on communication will be key for the unit this season.
Whether or not this year’s unit will outperform last year’s remains to be seen.
“I couldn’t say that (we’re better than last year’s line),” Jones said. “I mean we haven’t played a game yet obviously, but I definitely think we have an opportunity to be.”
