Devils in Detail
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ASU Football: Manny Wilkins Keeps Getting Better

By Hunter Robinson

Sep 24, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) celebrates after defeating the California Golden Bears during the second half at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils won 51-41. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Manny Wilkins (5) celebrates after defeating the California Golden Bears during the second half at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils won 51-41. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Through four games this season a few things are clear. ASU is one of the better teams in the Pac-12 south, Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard are possibly the best running back duo in the nation, and Manny Wilkins has held his own as the starting quarterback for ASU.

Wilkins has done more through four games than what most people thought he was going to do all season. He has been both the quarterback that ASU wants, and the quarterback that ASU needs.

Becoming a leader of a team isn’t an easy task, especially for a redshirt sophomore, but Wilkins has shown to be more than capable as the leader of the team. He regularly is seen talking to his offensive linemen on the sideline and shows his support for the defense as he stands as close to the field as he can cheering them on.

But being a leader isn’t just about being a good teammate, it also is about getting results to give the locker room a reason to believe in you.

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After four games as the starter, Wilkins has been the facilitator of the offense. With his arm, he has  thrown for 1085 yards and has completed 67.2 percent of his passes. While it is obvious that Wilkins uses his arm because he is the starting quarterback, it has been highly publicized that he also likes to run. He averages 65 yards a game and has already found the end zone four times on the ground.

Anyone who says that ASU being 4-0 isn’t directly linked with how Wilkins has started this season is plain wrong. He has been a breath of fresh air to a team that after last season was preparing to have a season full of growing pains with a new offensive coordinator and a new starting quarterback.

This team is proving that they very well could be representing the Pac-12 south on December 3rd in Levi’s Stadium, an accomplishment that would blow away any expectations there were coming into this season.

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Until December 3rd, ASU will have to play every single game as if it is their last. But behind the leadership of Wilkins, the team will always have a chance to continue to that expectations are meant to be surpassed.

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