ASU Football: Graham Signs 22 Players
By Mike Slifer
Today, 22 recruits officially became Sun Devils. For his fourth recruiting class, (third true class), coach Todd Graham pulled in the 4th ranked class in the PAC-12. Nationally, depending on who you listen to, ASU ranked between 20 and 25. But the key indicator is the PAC-12 ranking. Everybody in the PAC-12 is desperately trying to keep up with the LA schools and Oregon. Obviously, USC, UCLA and the Ducks round out the top recruiting classes in the conference. For Todd Graham and ASU to come in at #4 is a huge testament to their efforts.
More importantly, according to most, Graham accomplished two things with this class. First, they addressed needs. Every year brings losses to graduation and attrition. Strategically, every football staff has to recruit certain positions to replenish the depth chart. Secondly, it appears that coach Graham has upgraded almost every position when it pertains to size and athleticism.
Todd Graham is adamant that he is recruiting character and discipline before anything else. That may be true, but he’s starting to find guys that are also, taller, bigger, longer and more explosive.
The “feather in the cap” for the coaching staff with this class is defensive lineman Joseph “JoJo” Wicker. Wicker was a surprise and committed late last night. Most experts did not expect Wicker to sign with ASU, as he had offers from everybody in the country. Wicker is “Sutton-like” with his explosiveness and toughness. But he’s bigger, coming in at 6’4″, 300 pounds.
On defense, Wicker is joined by three other defensive linemen: George Lea, Jalen Bates, and Deonte Reynolds. At linebacker, ASU signed four versatile linebackers in Davon Durant, Khaylan Thomas, Nick Ralston and Malik Lawal. In the secondary, ASU signed two cover corners with Kareem Orr and Stanley Norman.
Offensively, ASU held serve with the quarterbacks, securing the signing of both quarterbacks they’ve recruited for over a year in Brady White and Bryce Perkins. At running back, the Sun Devils welcome one of the most recruited backs in the country in signing Jaason Lewis. Morie Evans, a speedster from Texas was the other running back signed by Graham. ASU also signed three versatile H-Back/3-Back/TE type players in Tommy Hudson, Raymond Epps and Jay Jay Wilson. As for the offensive line, the Sun Devils signed 3 players who will play offensive tackle: Dillon Faamatau, Steve Miller and Zach Robertson. They also sign two linemen that will play inside, either at guard or center, in Mason Walter and Cade Cody. All five are at least 6’4″, 290 pounds.
Two things jump out about the players in this class, or rather, the players that aren’t there. ASU signed no wide receivers, which is unusual. When asked about this, coach Graham said first that they are still pursuing some receivers (they still have a couple scholarships to offer). But most of all, Graham feels like the current WR stable is strong and decided that there weren’t any wide receivers out there to sign that they were truly interested in. The other oddity with this class is the fact that ASU only signed two defensive backs. Again, since the current ASU secondary is already young, Graham only went after two players that fit their formula for success.
A busy day for ASU and all college football coaching staffs. Devils in Detail will break down all the signees by position in the coming week. Right now, on paper, it looks as if coach Graham has done it again with another outstanding recruiting class.
Stay tuned.