ASU Football: Recruiting Shortcomings/Recruits Lost
By Mike Slifer
ASU football hit a home run with their recruiting class, they didn’t get every recruit they wanted–or needed. To be fair, no school in the country gets every single player that they want. While ASU addressed their needs and filled their class with talented players, they still lost out on some kids and came up short in some areas.
The obvious area that ASU came up short on was the offensive line. The coaching staff targeted several outstanding O-Linemen for 2014. They only signed two. The other position they probably came up short on, and this is quite arguable, is linebacker. ASU didn’t sign any “prototype” linebackers–the 6’2, 230 pound hitter that every team needs in the middle. But head coach Todd Graham, who coaches the defense, seems quite satisfied with their signings at this position.
It’s also interesting that ASU made no mention of, and obviously did not target any special teams players. While it is understood that signing kickers, punters and long-snappers is not always a yearly endeavor, with the special teams woes that the Sun Devils suffered last season, it is interesting that none of those positions were addressed.
Offensive Line:
Kammy Delp, an offensive linemen from California was a key target for ASU. He committed to ASU, then flipped at the last minute and signed with Oregon State. Alex Anderson, offensive linemen from New Orleans was one of the early commitments secured by ASU. He changed his mind and signed with Texas. Kenyon Frison, an offensive linemen from Utah, never officially committed to ASU, but he showed some interest and was heavily pursued by the Sun Devil staff. He signed with Oklahoma. Local product Casey Tucker, an offensive lineman from Chandler had narrowed his choices down to Stanford and ASU. He chose Stanford.
That’s four offensive linemen that ASU lost out on. Offensive line is a critical position and always in need of quality players. While the Sun Devils signed two excellent offenisve linemen in Quinn Bailey and Sam Jones, they surely could have used a couple more.
Skill Players:
Highly touted wide receiver and safety Jordan Thomas was a key target of ASU. He signed with Oklahoma. Wide receiver Nick Alexander has enrolled at Arizona Western Community College in Yuma. He reportedly will play there for two years, then transfer to ASU. It is not clear if Alexander’s decision was based on not qualifying academically or if the Sun Devils just didn’t have enough room for him.
Kalen Ballage, a 4-star receiver/running back from Colorado has yet to sign with anybody. ASU coaches cannot comment, but the word on twitter is that Ballage got snowed in yesterday and could not announce his decision or fax his letter of intent. Ballage is considered a “soft” commit to ASU. He has shown interest in Washington and UCLA. Undoubtedly, the ASU coaches are a little nervous while waiting to hear from Ballage. He is scheduled to make his announcemnt later today.