What does Arizona State's roster look like after spring football?
The Arizona State Sun Devils just concluded their second set of spring drills under coach Kenny Dillingham. The energetic coach likes his roster, saying the team has better depth and size at most positions than it did in last year's injury-plagued 3-9 season.
The transfer portal opened again on April 17 and closed on Tuesday. Many teams are still looking to supplement their rosters. ASU is among those shopping for a few players to plug in. Here is a breakdown of each position, including what the Sun Devils have and what they still need along with observations on each group.
Quarterbacks
Coach: Marcus Arroyo (first year)
Who they have: Sam Leavitt (R-Fr., 6-2, 205, transfer from Michigan State), Trenton Bourguet (Sr., 6-0, 185), Navi Bruzon (Fr., 5-10, 195); Jeff Sims (Sr., 6-4, 220, from Nebraska).
Who left: Drew Pyne (Missouri), Jacob Conover, Jaden Rashada (Georgia)
Breakout performer: Leavitt. There really wasn't a clear front-runner in the quarterback battle, but Leavitt gets the edge because he was able to finish off some explosive plays with strong throws.
What we know: It looked like there would be a quarterback battle extending well into fall camp until Jaden Rashada hit the transfer portal 11 spring practices in. He had been a limited participant in the first two weeks after having hand surgery for an off the field accident. Leavitt and Bourguet had been getting the majority of the reps with Bruzon, the product of Liberty HS who was the state player of the year, also seeing some time. Last season the Sun Devils used four scholarship quarterbacks and had five different starters there and that included two skill position players in RB Cam Skattebo and TE Jalin Conyers. Sims was added this week annd is physically gifted but has had trouble with turnovers in both his previous stops.
Will ASU look to add: They just got Sims and may still look to add one more. In recent years the Sun Devils have had as many as five or six scholarship quarterbacks. Right now they have only three with Bruzon being a preferred walk-on. Nowadays it's hard to find a quarterback willing to fight for a job.
Running backs
Coach: Shaun Aguano (sixth year)
Who they have: Raleek Brown (R-So., 5-8, 190), Kyson Brown (So., 6-2, 205), Jason Brown (Fr., 5-10, 205), Cameron Skattebo (Sr., 5-10, 210), DeCarlos Brooks (R-Sr., 5-10, 220).
Who left: Tevin White (medically retired), George Hart.
Breakout performers: Raleek Brown and Hart. Brown wasn't necessarily a surprise but Hart, who has seen little game time, had a good spring showing.
What we know: Aguano is the senior on the coaching staff, the lone holdover from the previous coaching regime. This is a deep position group with a good combination of experience and youth. Brooks dealt with a couple of injuries last season. Skattebo shouldered a heavy load last year. Due to all the injuries, there were times he had to punt and play quarterback in addition to running the ball. Raleek Brown is a four-star prospect, who was at USC last season. He gives ASU a dynamic it did not have last year and that's explosive breakaway speed.
Will ASU look to add: Unlikely.
Wide receivers
Coach: Hines Ward (first year)
Who they have: Jordyn Tyson (R-So., 6-2, 195), Xavier Guillory (R-Sr., 6-3, 205), Troy Omeire (R-Sr., 6-4, 230), Melquan Stovall (Gr., 5-9, 190), Jake Smith (R-Sr., 6-0, 205), Korbin Hendrix (R-Fr., 6-3, 185), Kaleb Black (R-Fr., 5-9, 170), Zechariah Sample (Fr., 5-11, 165)
Who left: Elijhah Badger, Giovanni Sanders (grad), Andre Johnson, Javen Jacobs (New Mexico)
Breakout performers: Tyson, Omeire
What we know: The addition of Ward as position coach is an interesting one. This group took a hit when Badger entered the portal halfway into spring drills. This is a deep unit with Tyson emerging as an athlete capable of replacing Badger's production. Guillory was the breakout performer last spring but that didn't translate to the season, one which was derailed by a foot injury that required surgery. Jordyn Tyson, out most of last year with a knee injury, has been the star performer this spring. Stovall was Mr. Reliable and Omeire started to show glimpses of potential at the end of last season. Now add in Jake Smith who had to sit out last season after a transfer waiver was denied and you have a solid unit.
Will ASU look to add: No. The Sun Devils are loaded.
Tight ends
Coach: Jason Mohns (second year)
Who they have: Markeston Douglas (R-Jr., 6-5, 280, from Florida State), Cameron Harpole (R-Jr., 6-3, 240, from San Diego State), Chamon Metayer (Gr., 6-5, 245, from Colorado), Jayden Fortier (Fr., 6-5, 220)
Who left: Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech), Bryce Pierre (UCLA), Messiah Swinson (grad), Ryan Morgan (retired)
Breakout performer: None yet.
What we know: Pierre looked to be in line for a lead role for the first time and then he bolted leaving a thin group even thinner. Metayer transferred to Colorado from Cincinnati but lasted a handful of practices before leaving the Buffaloes. Fortier was a four-star recruit and the No. 1 ranked player out of Oregon and looked like he could have an immediate impact but sustained a torn ACL in the last game of his high school career, which probably takes him out of most of this season, maybe all of it.
Will ASU look to add: Definitely.
Offensive line
Coach: Saga Tuitele (second year)
Who they have: Leif Fautanu (R-Sr., 6-2, 315), Emmit Bohle (Gr., 6-7, 315), Ben Coleman (Gr., 6-3, 330), Cade Briggs (R-Sr., 6-3, 300), Max Iheanachor (Sr., 6-6, 310), Sean Na'a (So., 6-3, 300), Bram Walden (R-Jr., 6-4, 310), Kyle Scott (R-Jr., 6-5, 330), Joey Su'a (R-Fr., 6-5, 320, from Arkansas), Josh Atkins (R-Jr., 6-4, 325, from Hawaii), Champ Westbrooks (Fr., 6-4, 265), Terrell Kim (Fr., 6-3, 370), Sirri Kandiyeli (R-Fr., 6-3, 275), Jalen Klemm (R-So., 6-6, 285, from Washington), Filiva'a Saluni (Fr., 6-5, 272), Semisi Tonga (Fr., 6-4, 310), Kaden Haeckel (Fr., 6-5, 210)
Who left: Isaia Glass (Oklahoma State), Aaron Frost (grad), Sione Finau (grad), Joey Ramos (grad), Ben Bray.
Breakout performer: Iheanachor was emerging as one of the most improved players on the roster before getting injured halfway through spring drills.
What we know: This was the position hit hardest by injuries a year ago with nine linemen going down, the majority of those for six or more games. That includes Bohle who broke his leg in the second game and has opted to return for a senior year do-over. Fautanu was the ironman last year, playing nearly every snap. He was the only lineman starting every game at the same position. Note the influx of Polynesian players with Tuitele tapping into his roots. The Sun Devils have more depth here than they have had in a few years and they have bigger bodies too. Na'a started games at left guard and left tackle last year as a true freshman. He also worked some at center this spring.
Will ASU look to add: Yes. You can never have enough linemen as ASU found out last year.
Defensive line
Coach: Diron Reynolds (first year)
Who they have: J'Mond Tapp (So., 6-3, 255, from Texas), Clayton Smith (R-Jr., 6-4, 245), Prince Dorbah (R-Sr., 6-2, 240), C.J. Fite (So., 6-1, 300), Jacob Kongaika (Jr., 6-2, 305, from Arizona), Elijah O'Neal (Sr., 6-4, 255), Jeff Clark (Gr., 6-1, 280, from Georgia State), Justin Wodtly (Fr., 6-2, 275, from Cincinnati), Ramar Williams (Fr., 6-3, 260), Landen Thomas (R-Fr., 6-4, 275), J.P. Deeter (R-So., 6-3, 285, from Purdue), Blazen Lono-Wong (R-So., 6-4, 285), Salesi Manu (Fr., 6-3, 240), Tristan Monday (R-So., 6-3, 290), Ian Shewell (R-Jr., 6-1, 285), Roman Pitre (R-So., 6-5, 250), Kyran Bourda (R-Fr., 6-3, 285)
Who left: Anthonie Cooper (injured), Dashaun Mallory (grad), B.J. Green (Washington), Ashley Williams (Louisiana), Sam Benjamin, Gharin Stansbury, Michael Matus (grad)
Breakout performers: Smith, Deeter, Clark.
What we know: This looks to be one of the more improved position groups on the team. There was a blow here though as sixth-year Anthonie Cooper sustained a torn ACL halfway through spring drills and he'll be out for the season. Reynolds Is the new position coach and is noted for his success at the NFL level developing pass rushers. That should translate to more pressure than ASU was able to generate last season.
Will ASU look to add: Tapp was just added after spring ball so that's probably enough.
Linebackers
Coach: A.J. Cooper (second year)
Who they have: Jordan Crook (Jr., 5-11, 220, from Arkansas), Keyshaun Elliott (Jr., 6-2, 225, from New Mexico State), Zyrus Fiaseu (R-Jr., 6-0, 230), Martell Hughes (Fr., 6-2, 210), Krew Jackson (R-Jr., 6-5, 235), Caleb McCullough (R-Sr., 6-2, 225), Tate Romney (R-Jr., 6-2, 220), K'Vion Thunderbird (R-Fr., 6-0, 220)
Who left: Travion Brown (grad), Will Shaffer, James Djonkham.
Breakout performers: Elliott, Fiaseu.
What we know: This is another position that has gotten deeper thanks to additions from the transfer portal. Jackson was hurt much of last season and played only two games after a transfer from Kansas State.
Will ASU look to add: The Sun Devils backload the defense and have many packages with just two linebackers so they probably don't need more.
Defensive backs
Coach: Bryan Carrington (second year)
Who they have: Keith Abney II (So., 5-10, 180), Xavion Alford (R-Jr., 6-0, 205), Rodney Bimage (Fr., 6-0, 175), Keontez Bradley (R-Fr., 6-2, 185), Chris Johnson II (Fr., 6-1, 180), Plas Johnson (Fr., 6-1, 165), Cole Martin (So., 5-9, 185, from Oregon), Kyan McDonald (Fr., 6-0, 175), Tony Louis-Nkuba (Fr., 6-1, 185), Javan Robinson (R-So., 5-11, 170, from Washington State), Myles "Ghost" Rowser (Jr., 6-1, 190, from New Mexico State), Shamari Simmons (Gr., 6-0, 185), Montana Warren (R-Fr., 6-0, 200), Macen Williams (R-Sr., 5-11, 180), Kamari Wilson (R-So., 6-1, 205, from Florida)
Who left: Ed Woods (Michigan State), Jordan Clark (Notre Dame), Demetries Ford (grad), Ro Torrence
Breakout performer: Abney, Bimage, Alford
What we know: Perhaps the deepest position on the team, rivaled only by the wide receivers group. Safety is the real position of strength here and Shamari Simmons returns after earning team MVP honors a year ago and Alford is finally eligible after his waiver was denied last year. Warren had an outstanding fall camp last year, only to sustain a shoulder injury in practice at Camp Tontozona that kept him out most of the season.
Will ASU look to add: Maybe. Woods was a stellar corner and his departure took the coaching staff by surprise, which is hard to do. There are options, including shifting somebody into Woods' spot. If they add, it would be a corner.
Special teams
Coach: Charlie Ragle (second year)
Who they have: P Kanyon Floyd (Fr., 6-0, 170), K-P Ian Hershey (R-So., 5-11, 195), Carston Kieffer (R-Fr., 5-9, 174), P Race Mahlum (R-Sr., 6-2, 190), LS Cole Marszalek (R-Fr., 5-11, 210), LS Tyler Wigglesworth (R-So., 5-10, 215, from NAU), K Parker Lewis (Sr., 6-3, 220, from Ohio State)
Who they don't have: K Dario Longhetto, LS Slater Zellers, P Josh Carlson
Breakout performer: None yet.
What we know: The specialist spots are hard to judge because key figures like Floyd and Lewis are not in camp yet. No doubt punting was the biggest issue on special teams a year ago as ASU ranked 112th out of 130 FBS schools in net punting. The Sun Devils are also looking for a return specialist after Badger left.
Will ASU look to add: Not likely
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Evaluating the ASU football team roster after spring camp
