SB Nation - Devan Spann

ASU Football: Deantre Lewis To See Time On Defense

Brad Denny — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 22:09:30 -0000

Arizona State's secondary depth has been a major issue all offseason long. Beyond the starting foursome of cornerbacks Deveron Carr, Osahon Irabor, safeties Alden Darby and Keelan Johnson and nickleback Robert Nelson, the Sun Devils have experienced nothing but concern to one of the team's most crucial units.

Injuries to Devan Spann and Rashad Wadood have drained the depth to dangerous levels, and having already moved former wide receivers Jarrid Bryant and Kevin Anderson to cornerback, another offensive player will soon be sliding over to defense.

During his weekly press conference, Todd Graham said that running back Deantre Lewis will be given a shot on the defensive side of the ball.

"We are probably going to look at Deantre Lewis a little bit," Graham said. "I think Deantre can still do the things he is doing on the offense. We have a whole arsenal of guys there. Deantre is a team guy and came to me and said if you need me to help you, I'll help you, so we are going to look and try and see if he can help us there, if not in-depth than in a certain package or a way like that.

The team is looking at trying Lewis at a few spots in the secondary to take advantage of his tremendous athleticism.

"Where we will probably look at him is a ‘spur/bandit' type deal, specifically in our dime package, our third downs. I think we could put him in at third down and tell him to rush the quarterback and he'd be able to do that and do it pretty well. So we will see."

Currently, the dynamic Chris Young is the starter at the spur spot, a hybrid of safety and linebacker, and leads the team with five tackles-for-loss. Alden Darby is the starter at bandit safety, and leads the team with two interceptions.

While the move may help a beleaguered defense, it is one that is not viewed favorably by offensive coordinator Mike Norvell.

"I'll be honest with you, Coach Norvell is not for it," Graham said. "But we have to do what is best for the team, especially long range."

While the team will try this out during practice, there is no guarantee that Lewis will indeed see defensive playing time during games. This is just in the experimental phase.

"We might look at it and nothing come of it but Deantre was more than willing, as a team guy, saying that whatever he can do to help the team he will. He is a phenomenal athlete and a very physical guy doing a great job."

This also is not the end of Lewis' days as a running back.

"I don't think that he is not going to be a running back but if we can utilize him in a dime-nickel package on a third down, then why not? The reps he is getting on offense are limited because of all the guys we have there but he is still going to be able to do all those things as well."

After missing all of 2011 while recovering from a gunshot wound, Lewis has battled back to the active roster. He has seen time in both games and has four carries for 12 yards, all coming in the opener against NAU. As a true freshman in 2010, Lewis was electric, rushing for 539 yards and four touchdowns while hauling in 23 passes for 370 yards and two scores.

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ASU Football Spring Practice Primers: Shoring Up The Secondary

Brad Denny — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:45:03 -0000

The Sun Devils' collapse over the final five games of the season was a product of many factors.

A lack of discipline, poor special teams play and an anemic pass rush all played major roles in the terrible finish. However, above all other reasons, it was the play of the secondary that knocked the Sun Devils from the Pac-12 South perch to the indignity of a sub-.500 finish.

The numbers don't lie. Through the first eight games, the opposition averaged 240.2 yards-per-game through the air, with 10 touchdowns. Those are solid defensive numbers, and not surprisingly, ASU was 6-2 in those eight games.

Starting with the loss at UCLA, those numbers jump to 325.4 and 12, which makes the corresponding 0-5 record not at all shocking. The low point came against Washington State, when the Cougars inserted third-string quarterback Connor Halliday into the lineup, and he proceeded to throw for 494 yards and four touchdowns. Those 494 yards were actually the highest single-game total put up in 2011 by a Pac-12 quarterback, surpassing any total put up by Matt Barkley or Andrew Luck.

That implosion led to Arizona State's 108th ranking among the 120 FBS teams in passing defense, meaning that new defensive coordinator Paul Randolph and defensive backs coach Chris Ball have a lot of work to do.

Thankfully, the cupboards are far from bare. Let's take a look at where the Sun Devil secondary stands as the start of spring practice on March 13th nears.

The Cornerbacks

The Sun Devils return both their starters at the position in senior Deveron Carr and junior Osahon Irabor. One strength of the pair is experience--Carr has 21 starts under his belt, while Irabor has 20.

Carr has the tools in place to be among the conference's best. He has good size at 5'11" and 190 pounds, and his speed and agility are impressive. He has shown excellent coverage skills during his time at ASU, notably against UCS this past year, and led the team with 10 passes defended. However, a lack of consistency has been costly. Now in his final season, he must find that quickly if he is to become the type of player his skills warrant.

A similar story can be told about Irabor. He registered the only interception of the season by an ASU cornerback, but at times was exposed in coverage, particularly struggling against double moves. Like Carr, he has all the tools to be a top-flight cornerback in the Pac-12, but until he displays it consistently, ASU fans will be on edge every time a pass leaves an opposing quarterback's hands.

One intriguing cornerback prospect is Robert Nelson. A redshirt junior, Nelson played two seasons at Louisiana-Monroe before transferring and sitting out 2011 due to NCAA rules. He has excellent coverage and ball skills, and should see time in nickle and dime situations. He may even push for a starting job if Carr and/or Irabor continue to struggle with consistency.

Rashad Wadood saw action in 10 games as a freshman last season, making six tackles. He is recovering from a torn ACL injury suffered late in the year against Washington State, so he may not return to full strength until fall camp. When healthy, he is a talented athlete with tremendous speed who needs development in his coverage skills.

Joining Wadood on the injured list is redshirt sophomore Devan Spann. A heady player with good size at 5'11", 175 pounds, Spann has battled ailments during his time at ASU. A thyroid issue hampered him in 2010, but he rebounded with strong spring practices last season. However, a chronic shoulder injury ultimately ended his season in August. he'll miss spring ball, but has a chance to shine, if he can stay healthy, this fall.

Redshirt sophomore Ronald Kennedy Jr. and redshirt freshman Joe Eason are young guys who have decent size who will have a chance to become depth contributors. Eason is a speedy corner while Kennedy relies more on technique.

The Safeties

In contrast to the cornerbacks, the backline of the Sun Devil defense will be replacing both of last season's starters, Eddie Elder and All Pac-12 Second Teamer Clint Floyd. However, that doesn't mean that there will be a lack of experience.

Keelan Johnson is now a senior, and for all of the major talent he has, it has yet to manifest on the field. He saw action in all 13 games last season--including four starts--making 48 tackles with a sack and two interceptions. He has tremendous skills to complement his good size (6'0", 203) but has not shown the ability to be a reliable backline defender. If he can elevate his mental game to the level of his physical skills this spring, Johnson would go a long way to shoring up ASU's defensive issues.

The new defensive scheme of ASU requires versatile and athletic defenders, and no one in the secondary fits that bill as well as junior Alden Darby. One of the possible Breakout Candidates, Darby saw time at cornerback, safety and linebacker last year, making 51 tackles (most among returning players) and had three interceptions. Now strictly a safety, Darby has a chance to become a major contributor and leader in the Sun Devil defense. Like many others, he is prone to costly mental lapses (3rd and 29, anyone?), but his athleticism and playmaking skills are immense. The Sun Devils need a stabilizing force in the secondary, and Darby has a chance to be that man.

Senior Kevin Ayers saw action as a reserve in all 13 games last season, making 15 tackles. He has good size for the position at 6'0", 200 pounds, but didn't get a chance to see the field much with the four players ahead of him. He brings a strong physical presence to the field, and now that the path to playing time is thinner, he can do himself a great favor and have a strong spring.

Among other spring participants, junior Shane McCullen returns after seeing action in 11 games on special teams. He figures to retain that special teams role in 2012, and probably needs a few things to fall his way to see time on defense.

On major absence in the spring will be redshirt freshman Ezekiel Bishop. Another Breakout Candidate, Bishop is a great talent who is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in last season's opener against UC Davis. Despite his size (5'10", 175 pounds) Bishop is a dynamic safety who has great range and knockout hitting power. He figures to be a physical presence in the ASU secondary for years to come, but his 2012 debut will have to wait until fall camp.

Coming This Fall

ASU's 2012 recruiting class is bringing in two safety prospects that should help shore up things.

Chris Young comes to ASU from Arizona Western College after a dominant junior college career. He brings great size (6'2", 220 pounds), speed and ferocity, and will be an immediate contributor. The only question is whether that will be at safety or at linebacker.

ASU is bringing in a three-star safety prospect from Texas in Laiu Moeakiola. He is a rangy sideline-to-sideline defender and sure tackler, but will need work in coverage, and may be a redshirt candidate.

Check out our other Spring Primers: Can Alex Garoutte Rebound? and Breaking Down The WR Competition

Follow me on Twitter @BDenny29 for the latest on ASU football

2012 Breakout Candidate: ASU Safety Ezekiel Bishop

Brad Denny — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 23:29:03 -0000

3rd and 29.

Say that around an Arizona State fan and there's an equal chance they'll burst into tears or unleash a stream of expletives.

The scene: ASU, 6-2 on the season and in total control of the Pac-12 South, was facing off against UCLA, a wildly inconsistent mess at 4-4. With a win, the Sun Devils would in essence clinch the South.

The Devils clung to a 28-23 lead late in the game, and had the Bruins backed up facing a 3rd and 29 from the ASU 39. A stop here likely means a division title...

However, Kevin Prince found Nelson Rosario, who beat Alden Darby's coverage for a 33-yard gain, and three plays later UCLA scores the game-winning touchdown, and would go on to win the South division.

The lapse on that play set off the eventual skid that derailed ASU's once promising season, and the subsequent failure in the secondary proved to be the primary culprit in the team's five-game losing streak. Over the final four games after their 3rd and 29 embarrassment, ASU was torched for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air.

Although far from the only reasons, injuries were a major factor in the unit's eventual ineffectiveness. The team lost 2010 All-Pacific-10 Conference First-Team cornerback Omar Bolden in April to an ACL injury and up-and-coming cornerback Devan Spann for the year in fall camp.

The team also lost a true freshman safety to a torn ACL in the season opener that proved to be a costly loss, but his comeback could play a major role in the unit's resurgence this fall.

Ezekiel Bishop came to ASU as a three-star prospect last year after being a prior commit to Arizona, in addition to receiving offers from Colorado and Kansas State, among others. He was a very versatile performer in high school, seeing time as primarily as a linebacker but also at defensive back, running back and as a kick returner. That versatility led Rivals.com to rank Bishop as the 55th best athlete in the nation [Check out his highlight reel].

At 5'10" and 175-pounds, Bishop is undersized, but compensates for that by possessing great closing speed and the hitting power of a prototypical middle linebacker. It is that skill set, combined with a tremendous work ethic, that led Bishop to be on the active roster last season as a true freshman.

Sadly, Bishop would get little chance to contribute to the Sun Devils. In the opener against UC Davis, Bishop was playing on the kickoff unit when he tore his ACL, knocking him out for the year. There was a silver lining due to the fact that the injury occurred so early, as it allowed Bishop to use his redshirt season, as well as get a head start on the rehab.

The 2012 season presents a great opportunity for Bishop to become a valuable part of the Sun Devil defense. The new defensive system being implemented places a premium on attacking and aggressive defenders, which suits Bishop's skills perfectly. With both starting safeties from a year ago--Eddie Elder and Clint Floyd--having graduated, there is a chance to see significant time. It's not hard to imagine Bishop flourishing in a rover type role when ASU will go to a nickel alignment.

Unfortunately, Bishop will miss spring practices, set to begin on March 13th. This should allow returning safeties such as Darby and Keelan Johnson to get a leg up, and with two highly touted members of the 2012 recruiting class on their way this fall in Chris Young and Laiu Moeakiola, the competition for playing time at safety will be fierce.

But for a defensive looking to shake the letdown of a year ago and replace it with a ferocious and physical new identity, Ezekiel Bishop is an ideal fit.

Follow me on Twitter @BDenny29 for the latest on ASU football

Poll

What do you expect from Bishop in 2012?

All Pac-12 honors

2 votes

Solid Starter

30 votes

Part-time Player

21 votes

Bench Warmer

3 votes

56 votes | Poll has closed

Opening The 12 Pac, August 30: Depth Chart Holes

Avinash Kunnath — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 12:45:29 -0000

It's that time of year again! Peruse depth charts for potential useful information, find none, move on. And there it is.

So I decided to look at interesting depth chart notes from each conference member. I was unsuccessful, so I went with whatever I spotted first.

Click on the school names in bold for official depth charts (some PDFs, some not. You get to guess!).

Arizona: Offensive line. No seniors plus redshirt freshman tackles. I don't see what could go wrong.
Arizona State (no official depth chart yet): Whichever defender gets injured today. Spin the wheel, and it's Devan Spann, come on down! Seriously though, ASU needs the regular season to start soon, so they can at least get hurt the real way.
Cal: Outside linebacker. You have a redshirt freshman in Dave Wilkerson starting at one spot, a walk-on sophomore at the other, a senior who's played sparing minutes in his previous seasons with the team behind both of them, and then two other talented but green freshman factoring into the mix. The Bears might be a better unit outside, or they could be very very confused. I'm going with confused, because Cal OLBs haven't really played that consistently on both sides since Zack Follett graduated.
Colorado: Cornerback. From Jimmy Smith and Jalil Brown to freshman Greg Henderson and punching bag Travis Sandersfield. I can guess what the first playcall will be this fall against the Buffs!
Oregon (no official depth chart yet): Wide receiver. Josh Huff is really needed badly for the season opener, lest the Ducks are ready to put running backs in the slot on every down in their shotgun spread packages. Huff at least gives the men in black three solid receivers (along with Tuinei and the tight end David Paulson) they can rely on. His absence would cause a huge personnel problem against LSU.
Oregon State: EVERYTHING. Are they practicing guerrilla operations at Corvallis training camp? Why does every report from camp read like a script from E.R.?
Stanford: Defensive line. No more Sione Fua to anchor the 3-4 could cause all sorts of problems for opponents. Thomas Keiser decided to leave early too, the smartypants. Now the Cardinal will have to again worry about teams gashing them in the short game like they did in 2009. While Stanford's defense shouldn't drop to those levels, they probably aren't going upward either.
UCLA (no official depth chart yet): Quarterback. This is more of a black hole than an actual hole. Kevin Prince and Richard Brehaut battle and battle and battle, and it's not looking like it's getting anywhere. Their performances appear to be converging rather than diverging, which will probably force Rick Neuehisel to play them both at the same time (his current line is two days).
USC: Running back. Who's going to take this? The Trojans have FOUR tailbacks (Dillon Baxter, Curtis McNeal are the likely candidates) still competing for the starting spot, including two (Amir Carlisle and D.J. Morgan) who haven't even taken a snap with this offense. Marc Tyler may have troubles with everything else in his life, but Lane Kiffin could sure use his pass protection right now to steady things up.
Utah: Griff McNabb is returning punts. Griff McNabb is 5'7", 160 pounds. Are they planning on giving him body armor too?
Washington: Chris Polk is listed as the starter. But Chris Polk might not start because Chris Polk might not be needed. Chris Polk can eat a seafood lunch and watch Washington hammer Eastern Washington. He could also play and be part of Washington hammering Eastern Washington. And the world keeps on turning.
Washington State: I look at this team and I don't look away in horror. This is a marked improvement from previous incarnations of the Cougars.

2011 Missouri Football Preview: Arizona State

Bill C. — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:01:03 -0000

2011 Missouri Football Preview
Analysis: Dave Matter
Opponents: Miami (Ohio)

The Big 12 and the Big Ten were the conferences of note for Missouri fans during conference realignment, but something new is brewing out West as well. And with the advent of the Pac-12 Conference, Missouri’s trip to Tempe in September will be its first foray into the newly established South Division of the Pac-12.

Just how Arizona State plays into the Pac-12 South equation remains a matter of debate. The Sun Devils finished 2010 with a 6-6 record, though they remained outside the bowl picture by virtue of multiple wins against FCS schools (Portland State and Northern Arizona). The statistics and the win columns were at odds with one another all season long. According to expected point values, Arizona State statistically outscored Wisconsin, Oregon, Stanford and USC in eventual losses. But the Sun Devils finished second-to-last in the conference in turnover margin (-6), and their inability to protect the football and finish games cost them dearly at the margins.

Because of the so-called "character losses," Arizona State enters 2011 as a prime candidate for Pac-12 darkhorse status. And as Missouri proved in the Big 12 North, being in a shaky division can greatly help matters. A number of coaches picked newcomer Utah to win the South, but put Arizona State second, ahead of Southern California and Arizona, both of which are battling their own various demons (including USC’s postseason ban). With Oregon and Stanford likely to decide the North, Arizona State may control its own path to the Pac-12 title game.

Coach Dennis Erickson finds himself with an odd set of circumstances in 2011. He will need to manage the growing expectations created the Sun Devils’ performances against tough opponents last year. Consequently, Arizona State has to find a way to improve upon the variability that defined its 2010 season.

OFFENSE

For an offense that lacked some of the national prominence of its West Coast counterparts, the offense was hard to fault for any of Arizona State’s struggles in 2010. Arizona State finished third in the Pac-10 in scoring offense in 2010 (32.3 points per game), trailing only The Chip Kelly Oregon Experience and the Jim Harbaugh/Andrew Luck attack from Stanford. That also meant outscoring the likes of Lane Kiffin’s USC offense, Jeff Tedford’s Cal offense, Steve Sarkisian’s Washington offense, and Arizona’s Air Raid.

Though it avoids the label that follows other teams in the conference, Arizona State relies on a pass-heavy offense in all situations: early downs, late downs, red zone, etc. Quarterback Steven Threet opted to leave the team as a result of multiple concussions suffered throughout his career. Threet, a one-time Michigan transfer, was a game manager during his time in Tempe, completing 62 percent of his passes for more than 2,500 yards, with 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. With Threet’s exit, mammoth 6-8 junior Brock Osweiler is the presumptive starter after having gone 62-of-109 with five touchdowns and no interceptions in spot duty in 2010. Osweiler’s style of play is significantly less "high risk, high reward" than Threet’s, which may help minimize the type of turnovers that crippled the Sun Devils last season.

Osweiler inherits an offensive line that returns all five starters from a unit that was perfectly average in 2010. It was a growth year for a line that had struggled in years past, surrendering 31 sacks in 12 games, good for seventh in the Pac-10. Adjusted for Arizona State’s pass-happy tendencies, the Sun Devils sack rate ranked 59th in the country, almost exactly in the center of FBS teams.

The line struggled to open lanes for the running backs, all of whom still managed to perform slightly above expectations all year long. Junior Cameron Marshall and sophomore Deantre Lewis’ statistics seemed straight out of Missouri’s comfort zone. Both averaged more than five yards a carry, with Marshall receiving 12.5 carries per game and Lewis taking 8.4 per game. Lewis spent the offseason recovering from a shooting that hospitalized him for four days, btu Marshall and Lewis represent legitimate threats to Missouri not only on the ground, but through the air as well, where they greatly assisted in the offense’s efficiency a year ago.

Receiver T.J. Simpson will miss the Missouri game if not the entire season after an offseason knee injury. Top target Kerry Taylor has since graduated, and Arizona State lacked a true No. 2 threat a year ago. Mike Willie may now be the No. 1 guy, a tall task for someone whose 2010 production was on par with that of Missouri’s Wes Kemp.

DEFENSE

In the same vein of some of Missouri’s defenses of the last decade, Arizona State under defensive coordinator Craig Bray has been strong from down-to-down but prone to the occasional mishap through the air. Arizona State had a Top 20 rushing defense a year ago (Top 10 according to efficiency measures), and when the Sun Devils were able to force third down, possessions were all but assured to come to an end. Arizona State was 10th in the country in third down defense, allowing opponents to convert only 33.5 percent of third down opportunities.

Bray managed this success a year ago despite only four returning starters. In 2011, he’ll have the luxury of eight returning starters (and would have had nine if not for a torn ACL suffered by cornerback Omar Bolden in April). The face, mouth, and soul of the Arizona State defense will continue to be linebacker Vontaze Burfict, the oft-uncontrollable dynamo whose hit power, on a scale of 1 to 10, ranks between an 8.5 and "murder" on most days. Burfict is built in the mold of a Bill Romanowski, an impact player whose aggressiveness creates a certain proneness to the occasional lapse in judgment (and, thus, the occasional personal foul).

Though Arizona State will be breaking in two new starters at defensive tackle, the Sun Devils feature a strong set of defensive ends. Senior defensive end Jamaar Jarrett is long and rangy, with a build similar to that of former Georgia Tech star Derrick Morgan, a 2010 first round pick of the Tennessee Titans. Jarrett started six games in 2010, amassing 40 tackles (10.5 for loss) with 4.5 sacks. Fellow senior James Brooks followed a similar stat line last season, with 25 stops (7.5 for loss) and four sacks. But while the senior consistency of Jarrett and Brooks may be appealing to Bray, the highest upside may belong to sophomore end/linebacker hybrid Junior Onyeali. The combination of Onyeali’s edge speed and ability to overpower blockers presents a distinct challenge for Missouri in pass protection. Onyeali had 6.5 sacks in five starts, including two in a Duel in the Desert win against Arizona, en route to being named the Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2010.

But if the pass rush isn’t as stout as expected, Arizona State’s deficiencies in the defensive backfield may once again be exposed. Arizona State held opposing quarterbacks to an efficiency rating of 112.9 in wins but surrendered a 147.9 rating in losses. The aforementioned injury to Omar Bolden – a unanimous First Team All Pac-10 performer – puts pressure on either sophomore Osahon Irabor or freshman Devan Spann to step up against No. 1 receivers.

If Arizona State's pass rush cannot get to James Franklin, Jerrell Jackson could have as big a game as the last one he had in Arizona.

SERIES SPOTLIGHT: The 1972 Fiesta Bowl (No. 15 Arizona State 49, Missouri 35)

Just 12 months removed from a disastrous 1-10 campaign in Al Onofrio’s first season, Missouri rebounded to go 6-5 in 1972, going 5-1 in games decided by one possession and rebounding quickly after blowout losses to Baylor and Nebraska. They head to Arizona to play in the second annual Fiesta Bowl. Unfortunately, a shaky Tiger defense is assaulted by quarterback Danny White and the Sun Devil offense. ASU gains almost 700 yards, and despite an inspired performance from Tommy Reamon (155 rushing yards), Chuck Link (80 receiving yards) and Mike Fink (100-yard kickoff return), Mizzou cannot prevent the 15th-ranked Sun Devils from pulling away in the fourth quarter.

(To read more about the 1972 season, go here.)

FOOTBALL STUDY HALL / SB NATION

Volatility, Kanye And The Arizona State Sun Devils

It's been an up-and-down few years for Dennis Erickson since he left the wonders of the Kibbie Dome for one of the 20 most desirable jobs in the country four seasons ago. Throughout his career, which has now spanned 18 seasons (and six schools) at the FBS level, Erickson has been a fast starter. He moved Washington State from 3-9 to 9-3 in his second year there, he went 44-4 in his first four years at Miami (then again, I could have probably gone about 40-8 with that talent, and I was 11 at the time), he boosted Oregon State to an unheard-of 11-1 in his second year, and he even made Idaho a respectable 4-8 in his lone season in Moscow; it was the Vandals' highest win total in six years.

At Arizona State, it was no different. In his first season in Tempe, Arizona State won double-digit games for the first time since their charmed 1996 season. Of course, it was a bit of a mirage. They went 3-0 in one-possession games and ranked 25th in our F/+ rankings; they were good, but they weren't "ten wins" good, and in the three years that have followed, their average F/+ ranking has been 57th, they've gone just 11-21 versus FBS opponents, and they've gone 2-10 in one-possession games. They were just good enough to be disappointing in 2010, with a few blowout wins over bad teams (Portland State, Northern Arizona, Washington State, UCLA) and the aforementioned competitive losses. Their Adj. Record suggests they indeed played better than their 6-6 record, which is a positive sign for 2011, but the trend is alarming.

APPLICABLE STATISTICAL TIDBIT

Arizona State might have one of the best homefield advantages in college football.

ASU Football Preview: Cornerbacks and Safeties, Eddie Elder's Time To Shine

Cory Williams — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 15:07:12 -0000

The Sun Devils secondary has experienced a huge loss during the offseason -- senior cornerback Omar Bolden, largely considered to be the leader of the defense, went down in April with a torn ACL. His best case prognosis has him back on the field by November, but ACL recoveries are difficult to project and any setback at all would cost him his entire senior year.

Bolden is projected as the 12th-best senior cornerback prospect in the 2012 NFL Draft by Mocking The Draft, and losing him is absolutely terrible from a personnel standpoint.

Without Bolden, the secondary has a lot of work to do to ensure that ASU meets the lofty expectations of the fans and the media. Lets take a look at the roster and see who is ready for the limelight.

Cornerbacks:
Deveron Carr (Jr.)
Osahon Irabor (Soph.)
Devan Spann (RS Fr.)
DeMarkus Perkins (RS Soph., transfer from Highland Community College, Kansas)
Alden Darby (Soph.)
Joe Eason (Fr.)

Safeties:
Eddie Elder (Senior)
Clint Floyd (Senior)
Kevin Ayers (Jr.)
Jonathan Clark (RS Senior)
Matthew Tucker (RS Soph.)
Keelan Johnson (RS Jr.)

For more on who needs to step up and who is going to stand out, follow the jump.

From the list of players in the Arizona State secondary, Eddie Elder jumps out as the logical leader for this unit. In 2010, his first year in maroon and gold, Elder collected 64 tackles and two interceptions, including a INT returned for a touchdown off of Heisman Trophy candidate Andrew Luck.

As a senior, Elder has a lot to gain from a good 2011 campaign -- his draft stock would soar if he led the Devils to a 10-win season through leadership, hard work and by making big plays.

Clint Floyd, the other senior safety, has improved a lot during his time in Tempe. Adding 30 tackles in 2010, Floyd needs to continue to get better, as our safeties need to have more than three interceptions in 2011. These two guys are absolutely the keys to our success.

The cornerback position is more fluid, with Carr and Irabor currently slated to start. Perkins is a standout talent from Highland Community College in Kansas, and he brings three years of eligibility to ASU. Hopefully these three can compete fiercely in fall practice for the two starting positions, and we can all stop worrying about the potential issues that losing Bolden brings to the table.

Can the Sun Devils secondary still be dominant without Omar Bolden? We'll find out soon enough.