ASU Football: Sun Devils Sign 5 More Front Defenders
By Mike Slifer
It’s obvious that the ASU football coaching staff made defense a priority in this years recruiting class. In addition to signing four big defenders earlier, the Sun Devils added defensive ends Connor Humphreys, Renell Wren and Darrius Caldwell, along with outside linebackers Christian Sam and Ismael Murphy-Richardson.
These five players will be a big boost to adding depth and stoutness to the recently depleted defensive front for ASU. Having already signed strong side defensive end, Edmund Boateng and outside linebacker DJ Calhoun, (both of whom are enrolled at ASU ) now the Sun Devils have a stable of big bodies to compete for positions vacated by Will Sutton, Davon Coleman, Gannon Conway, Jake Sheffield and Junior Onyeali.
This is huge. Every position in football is critical in it’s own way. But the front seven in football sets the tone for your defense. If you have big, physical guys up front, you have a chance to win. If not, you are on your heels immediately and often.
The addition of these five players brings a combination of size, speed, length, athleticism and experience. Many experts think that Connor Humphreys is ready to play rush end right now. Sam, Murphy-Richardson, and Wrenn may need a little more seasoning. As always, that remains to be seen. Caldwell is a JUCO transfer and was a surprise signing, as he was courted by South Carolina. His positon and role will have to get sorted out this summer.
In truth, that is the case for all of these players. ASU now appears to be a solid two-deep at every position along the front seven on defense. (Don’t forget about Tashon Smallwood and Dalvon Stuckey) These new signings seem to blend in perfectly with the current ASU front defenders, indicating that coach Graham went out and got what he needed.
These new young players are going to make August very interesting.