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Sun Devils add Texas pledge

Arizona State picked up its second verbal commitment of the 2013 class Thursday when Mesquite (Tex.) West Mesquite defensive end Dimarya Mixon gave the program a pledge.
Mixon, a 6-foot-3, 265-pounder from Compton (Calif.) who moved to Texas prior to his junior year of high school, said ASU was the first school to offer a scholarship in February and stayed at the forefront of his mind throughout his deliberations.
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"I felt like I wanted to commit and pretty much out of all my offers I liked them the best," Mixon said. "I just thought they have a pretty good program and with the new coach coming in, Todd Graham, it's a big opportunity. They had a pretty alright season last year but I think they are going to do really good this year and then just go from there."
In choosing ASU, Mixon passed up reported scholarship offers from Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, North Texas, Purdue, Syracuse and Washington State. Sun Devil defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Paul Randolph was largely responsible for securing the commitment of Mixon.
"It was just pretty much talking to my family a lot. I did some research and just really liked Arizona State," Mixon said. "It was pretty exciting because it's a relief that now I can focus on academics and helping my team with a state championship.
"Coach Randolph, being a d-line coach which I really like, and how long they have been recruiting me both meant a lot to me. I think they're recruiting me to be a 5-technique defensive end. I like that position. Right now I play mainly d-end but sometimes I'm forced to be at d-tackle but I like being on the outside."
Mixon said he didn't need to see Tempe in person before making the decision because of his comfort level with the coaching staff and his roots in the west.
"I think I'll probably take a visit once schools gets out," he said.
An adjustment season in the books, Mixon said he took a while to get going in his junior season but has big plays for this year.
"Personally I thought I learned a lot and made the adjustment because that was my first year coming down to West," he said. "First couple games I wasn't doing as well as I would have liked but as the season went on I started making a lot more plays. I think I have a really good work ethic when it comes to working out and am getting ready for my last high school season."
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