A Top-25 2020 recruiting class produced more than just a couple new weapons for the Sun Devil offense with a handful of four-star running backs and wide receivers expected to be inserted into the starting lineup and carry the load with ASU’s ground game and aerial attack. With Fall camp just a couple of weeks away, we examine this side of the ball for ASU ahead of the 2020 season.
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Quarterback
Jayden Daniels, So.
Trenton Bourguet, RS-Fr.
Daylin McLemore, Fr.
Few recruits this century for the Sun Devils have been as highly hyped as was Jayden Daniels as he made his way to Tempe and all-in-all his true freshman season certainly did not disappoint, and he shifts now from a marquee rookie to a player that should be one of the elite quarterbacks in the Pac-12 Conference.
Aside from his own abilities, the fact that eight Pac-12 programs replace who was their primary starter last season legitimizes the claim that Daniels should already be considered one of the elite quarterbacks in the conference.
A starter in all 12 games he played, Daniels was both efficient and effective, as he threw for 2,943 yards with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions and totaled a net of 355 rushing yards with three scores. Though he had scattered moments of freshman folly, he much more frequently showed the grit and composure of a fifth-year senior as he helped engineer multiple late game drives to hold on to leads or claim victories for ASU.
As the page turns from his freshman to sophomore year, the primary thoughts regarding Daniels is where and how can he improve and what must be done to avoid the dreaded “sophomore slump.”
Daniels, of course, won’t “surprise” anyone this year as there is a full season of game film to use. However, the argument can be made that plenty of film was available prior to game 11 when he torched the top-10 Oregon Ducks to the tune of 408 yards and three touchdowns.
In all likelihood, Daniels’ progress will be less of a product of his own development as it is a matter of how quickly first-year skill players can acclimate to the college game and what sort of cohesiveness and prowess will be shown from the Arizona State offensive line.
Though Daniels is naturally the unquestioned starter, similar to last year, he has no backup with collegiate experience in case of emergency need.
Midseason last year, Dillon Sterling-Cole announced his intention to transfer and now attends Midwestern State, while Joey Yellen moved on to Pittsburgh after his true freshman season at ASU. Jack Smith rejoined the roster this spring after an injury hiatus but opted to enter the transfer portal as well.
After this sequence of shakeups, ASU has just one other full-time quarterback on scholarship in true freshman Daylin McLemore, who presumably could be the team’s backup to Daniels.
McLemore was a three-star signee for ASU’s 2020 class and picked the Sun Devils over Group of Five offers from Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Nevada, San Jose State, an UNLV. A tremendously accurate passer, McLemore completed 79.5% of his passes as a senior and showed versatility by rushing for 315 yards and three touchdowns in nine games.
Trenton Bourguet will complete with McLemore for time as the number two quarterback, while Ethan Long, now listed as a tight end/h-back, could return to quarterback if there is a dire need.
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Running Back
Rachaad White, Jr.
Demetrious Flowers, RS-Fr.
Daniyel Ngata, Fr.
DeaMonte Trayanum, Fr.
Before bypassing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, Eno Benjamin accounted for approximately 85% of the total carries and rushing yards by running backs for ASU across the past two seasons had 630 total combined offensive touches over the 2018-19 seasons and established new single-game and single-season rushing records for the Sun Devil football program.
To put it another way, there is a gaping hole to fill in the Sun Devil backfield for life after Eno.
Added to Benjamin’s departure was the transfer of A.J. Carter to McNeese State. Carter appeared in all 13 games last year with 50 yards on 19 carries. He totaled four carries for 12 yards in four games the previous season.
Ultimately, the current depth chart at running back features a grand total of two games played at the FBS level. That said, the “glass half full” take on the situation is that from the perspective of recruiting rankings, the newcomers on the roster provide as much individual and collective potential as the position group has seen in many years in Tempe.
The logical expectation is that true freshman Deamonte Trayanum, who brings linebacker size and physicality to the position, will get the first crack to be RB1. Trayanum (5-11, 230) signed with ASU out of Akron, Ohio and was the No. 16 running back recruit and a four-star prospect according to Rivals for the 2020 class.
To say Trayanum brings a linebacker type of presence to the running back position is not just hyperbole or football slang – several schools recruited Trayanum for that very position.
The proverbial “lightning” to Trayanum’s “thunder” is fellow true freshman Daniyel Ngata, the No. 8 All-Purpose Back for the 2020 class out of Folsom, Calif., and like Trayanum, also a four-star prospect according to Rivals.
Based on Ngata’s high school statistics, he brings an every down big-play threat to Tempe as he averaged 8.4 yards per carry for his three-year high school career and also caught an even 100 passes. The versatility provided by Ngata undoubtedly will be used in multiple ways by Offensive Coordinator Zak Hill.
Since Rivals began its rankings with the 2002 class, only once before has ASU signed a pair of four-star running backs in the same class – D.J. Foster and Marion Grice in 2012. Needless to say, if the duo of Trayanum and Ngata come anywhere close to the productivity of Foster and Grice, Sun Devil fans will be incredibly happy.
Rachaad White was added to ASU’s signing class in late May out of Mount San Antonio College in Walnut, Calif. Last season, White totaled 1,264 rushing yards on 199 carries (6.4 avg.) with ten touchdowns in 11 games, adding 25 receptions for 216 yards with another two scores, leading the team with 1,480 all-purpose yards for the year. White (6-2, 195) stands a more than reasonable chance to at worst be the team’s number three back and could use his JUCO experience as an advantage over his freshmen teammates to earn playing time.
Flowers brings size to the position, as other than Trayanum, he is the biggest scholarship back on the roster at 220 pounds. Also, Flowers is technically the team’s most experienced running back as he played in two games last season and showed flashes in his only significant playing time of the year when he carried 11 times for 31 yards in ASU’s Sun Bowl win over Florida State. Despite seeing ample action in that game, Flowers took advantage of the new NCAA redshirt rule and enters this season as a redshirt freshman.
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Wide Receiver
Frank Darby, RS-Sr.
Brandon Pierce, RS-Sr.
Geordon Porter, RS-So.
* Jordan Kerley, So.
Ricky Pearsall, So.
Andre Johnson, RS-Fr.
** Elijhah Badger, Fr.
LV Bunkley-Shelton, Fr.
Chad Johnson, Jr.,
Fr. Johnny Wilson, Fr.
* opted out of the season due to COVID-19 concerns
** academically ineligible for the 2020 season
From N’Keal Harry to Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State has quickly become “First Round U” for wide receivers. With Aiyuk now with the San Francisco 49ers, the question is begged – can Frank Darby step up to be next and complete the trifecta?
Athletically, Darby is undoubtedly on the radar of many pro scouts as a player whose stock could skyrocket from now until draft day 2021. To get there, however, Darby will have to continue to refine his consistency and take ownership of the WR1 title as Aiyuk did last year in place of multi-year star N’Keal Harry. Basically, to his credit, the discussion of Frank Darby is not just about a flashy downfield threat that can be used a time or two per game, but rather that of a dynamic wide receiver that could be on the cusp of a big league payday in the NFL.
A great deal of Darby’s first three years of eligibility at ASU has been enigmatic, to say the least. In 2018, he had 258 receiving yards across just two games (127 vs. San Diego State, 131 vs. Colorado) but only had 163 across the rest of the season and only had two other games that season with more than two receptions but had five games that year without a single catch.
Darby’s role last season amplified with the departure of Harry to the NFL, and though he had career-best stats and was one of the nation’s leaders in yards-per-catch average, a boom-or-bust element still remained as he had five games with one reception or none and a sixth with two catches.
On the other hand, he had NFL caliber performances against the likes of Oregon (four receptions for 125 yards, two touchdowns) and UCLA (six receptions for 100 yards with two touchdowns). Oddly, however, after catching seven touchdowns in the four games leading up to the regular season finale, Darby did not register a reception in ASU’s rivalry win over Arizona.
What does all this really mean? What will he showcase as a senior atop the depth chart, but also without proven playmakers like Harry, Aiyuk and Williams around him to spread defenses’ focus?
If season-long consistency can be added to his other-worldly playmaking skills, Darby has every tool necessary to give ASU a first-round hat trick in the NFL Draft. It also must be mentioned that Darby brings unmatched enthusiasm to the team and has a strong bond with quarterback Jayden Daniels, so the path could very well be set for him to finish his collegiate career on a very high note.
Though Darby is entrenched as a starter and top wide receiver, sophomores Ricky Pearsall, and Geordon Porter bring game experience to this year’s lineup but will all likely have to fend off a group of true elite freshmen to earn and maintain starting roles.
Pearsall impressed at times as true freshmen last season, as both appeared in all 13 games. Pearsall caught seven passes for 128 yards. Though the statistics may not be mind-blowing, both were counted on to play meaningful minutes and showed strides that create the belief that both could be long-term starters for the Sun Devils.
Similarly, Porter caught eight passes for 83 yards in 10 games and was one of the marquee offensive recruits of the 2018 class for ASU. Many observers are chomping at the bit for Porter’s immense physical and measurable gifts to materialize in live action.
Another sophomore, Jordan Kerley, who had a modest six receptions for 81 yards, but played in all 13 games, has opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns. Kerley remains enrolled in school and could re-join the team in the spring.
It is difficult to overemphasize the hype surrounding the group of receivers brought to Tempe from ASU’s 2020 class, featuring Elijhah Badger, LV Bunkley-Shelton, Chad Johnson, Jr., and Johnny Wilson.
At some point through the recruiting process, each of the four carried a four-star ranking, with Bunkley-Shelton (No. 86), Wilson (No. 104) and Badger (No. 132) all ranking well within the nation’s top-150 overall recruits, regardless of position.
Bunkley-Shelton is known as one of the premier route runners from the 2020 class, Wilson combines tight end size with wide receiver skills and Badger brings tremendous versatility to the point that some have speculated whether his best fit is as a wide receiver or as a defensive back. The latter's potential contribution, however, will be put on hold until next year, as Badger was ruled academically ineligible for the 2020 season.
Added to this sensational trio is Johnson, Jr., a highly productive pass-catcher with elite pedigree at the position.
With the departures of first-round NFL Draft pick Brandon Aiyuk and Kyle Williams, who ended his career in ASU’s all-time top-10 in career receptions, it is plausible that the Sun Devils could field offensive sets that feature Darby partnered with a group entirely consisting of true freshmen.
A “wild card” of the receiver group is senior Brandon Pierce, who joined the program just before fall camp last year and was used sparingly in 2019 as he appeared in only five games with one reception. Pierce is one of the team’s fastest players, and that trait alone could be enough for him to earn playing.
Andre Johnson, a member of the 2019 class, appeared in three games last season but still qualified for a redshirt year. The Tolleson product brings excellent size (6-3, 205) to the position but likely faces stiff competition for meaningful reps this year.
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Tight End/H-Back
John Stivers, RS-Sr.
Curtis Hodges, Sr.
Case Hatch, So.
Ethan Long, So.
Nolan Matthews, So.
Ryan Morgan, Fr.
Jake Ray, Fr.
A position group that is long overdue for a return to productivity, hopes are that the direction of ASU’s new Offensive Coordinator will bring back at least a semblance of the days when Arizona State fielded all-conference performers at tight end.
One of the most intriguing signees at the position for Arizona State in several years, Nolan Matthews came to campus with the expectation to immediately revitalize the tight end group back to the level of having a legitimate often utilized receiving threat.
Though the returns weren’t quite at the level as initially hoped – Matthews caught six passes for 36 yards with one touchdown – with the departure of multi-year starter Tommy Hudson to the NFL and the expected increased emphasis of the position group under new Offensive Coordinator Zak Hill, Matthews could showcase one of the most significant offensive improvements on the roster this season compared to last.
Matthews brings the size (6-4, 260) and the athletic gifts to breathe new life into the offensive productivity at tight end for ASU, as no Arizona State tight end has caught more than 13 passes in a single season since Kody Kohl’s 32 receptions in 2015.
Joining Matthews in the position group are a pair of players that also started their Sun Devil careers last year and quickly became fan favorites for their blue-collar grit and versatility in Case Hatch and Ethan Long.
Initially, a quarterback when he came to campus, Long spent his rookie seasons as an offensive jack-of-all-trades and, in an atypical twist, was a captain on special teams as a true freshman. Hatch, a walk-on who came to ASU, after serving a church mission, began at linebacker before being shifted to fullback. Despite his walk-on status for the 2019 season, Hatch was a First-Team All-Pac-12 honors recipient as an all-purpose/special teams player. On Christmas Eve 2019, Hatch was placed on scholarship by head coach Herm Edwards.
Though listed as a tight end/h-back, Hatch showed the skill set to be a traditional fullback in his blocking abilities and acumen as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Zak Hill’s offensive creativity could have quite a field day with both Long and Hatch.
Senior Curtis Hodges (6-7, 245) brings excellent height to the position and is the most experienced tight end on the roster as he’s played in 26 total games with 13 career receptions. John Stivers, a graduate transfer from Harvard, played in 21 games across the 2017-19 seasons with 12 total catches. Both Hodges and Stivers could contribute among a tight end group that likely will need veteran leadership.
True freshmen Ryan Morgan (6-3, 245) and Jake Ray (6-4, 240) each brings what appears to be readymade size for the position and could get early looks for time.
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Offensive Line
Cade Cote 6th-Sr.
Kellen Diesch, RS-Sr.
Henry Hattis, RS-Sr.
Cody Shear, RS-Jr.
Jarrett Bell, RS-So.
Ralph Frias, RS-So.
Spencer Lovell, RS-So.
Ladarius Henderson, So.
Dohnovan West, So.
Alijah Bates, RS-Fr.
Roman DeWys, RS-Fr.
Ben Scott, RS-Fr.
Ben Bray, Fr.
Jacob Nunez, Fr.
In the shuffle of trading, the departures of starting linemen in Cohl Cabral, Steve Miller, and Alex Losoya – as well as linemen such as Roy Hemsley and Zach Robertson who had starting experience and are gone from the roster – and the additions of a pair of graduate transfers, there are a few pieces to be determined among this year’s starting line in addition to a few that are generally predictable.
After earning time as starters as true freshmen last year, Ladarius Henderson and Dohnovan West have logical paths to remain starters as sophomores. West appears to remain entrenched at his right guard position, while Henderson figures to shift from left to right tackle. Some have even tossed around the idea of Henderson redshirting to help his long-term development, but that notion indeed remains to be seen as there are no proven options that could legitimately supplant Henderson in the lineup.
West was a wall-to-wall starter last season, initially at center and then guard but cumulatively started all 13 games and was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 pick in 2019. Henderson was added to the first string line a few games into the season – tribal by fire on the road at Michigan State – and in all started ten games last year.
Two graduate transfers – Kellen Diesch from Texas A&M and Henry Hattis from Stanford – presume to fill spots at left tackle and left guard, respectively, though those spots may not be set in stone.
Hattis started the first six games of 2019 before suffering a season-ending injury, while Diesch did not make a start among the 22 games he played at Texas A&M from 2017-19. It can safely be said that the overall quality of this season’s offensive line could hinge on how Diesch and Hattis collectively perform as starters.
At center, sixth-year senior Cade Cote and high-upside redshirt freshman Ben Scott are the two primary contenders. Though in most cases a sixth-year senior’s substantial experience edge over a redshirt freshman would tip the scale firmly in favor of the more veteran player, the battle for starting reps could be a close one.
Through injuries and experience ahead of him on the depth chart, Cote is only credited with 11 games across the 2016-19 seasons, while Scott gained a slight but opportunistic advantage by seeing a great deal of first-team action in the spring practices ASU was able to complete.
Jarrett Bell and Cody Shear figure to be two of the top reserves and potentially push for starting reps.
Redshirt sophomores Ralph Frias and Spencer Lovell along with redshirt freshmen Alijah Bates and Roman DeWys as well as true freshmen Ben Bray and Jacob Nunez likely will fill reserve roles this year, with Bray and Nunez as likely candidates to ultimately redshirt.
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