ASU Football: Ballage makes it official/Lorig Out

Photo courtesy Pac-12.com.

ASU put the finishing touches on their recruiting class by accepting the letter of intent from Kalen Ballage.  Ballage is listed as a 4-star Athlete in recruiting publications.  He has been mentioned as playing outside linebacker/safety.  However, for the Sun Devils, it appears Ballage will play offense.  Described as a versatile player, he is able to play running back or receiver.  At 6’2, 215, he brings physicality and presents a matchup problem if he lines up in the slot.  It will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Mike Norvell utilizes Ballage.  The high school senior from Colorado is expected to play immediately. 

Ballage’s signing pushes ASU’s number of signed recruits to 26. It also moves them up the rankings by two spots according to most recruiting services.  Getting a high-caliber recruit like this in addition to the rest is a nice way to wrap up the recruiting cycle.  Ballage was offered scholarships by UCLA, Colorado and Washington, amongst others.

In other news, ASU has announced that Special Teams Coordinator Joe Lorig is leaving the program to coach linebackers at Utah State.  It is uncertain whether Lorig was asked to leave, encouraged to leave or just wanted out.  It may have been mutual.  Although Lorig was not fired, he probably was demoted within the staff or at the very least, his role was significantly diminished. 

Special Teams was a mess for ASU last season.  Head coach Todd Graham promised to deal with it immediately.  Apparently, Graham’s method of dealing with it caused coach Lorig to look elsewhere.  Most would agree that going from ASU to Utah State is a step down on the coaching ladder.

Graham now has the chore of naming a new special teams coordinator.  He may hire within, delegate units of special teams to other staff members or hire from the outside.  Whatever he decides, hopefully the special teams issues of last season will be a thing of the past.