ASU Football: Sun Devils land on three more watch lists

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 24: Running back Kalen Ballage
TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 24: Running back Kalen Ballage

ASU football running back Kalen Ballage, linebacker Koron Crump and defensive end JoJo Wicker were named to three different preseason awards watch lists.

ASU football are just over a week away from opening up training camp, but the preseason accolades continue to build up for three key contributors.

After being named to Maxwell Award watch list last week, Ballage was named to the Hornung Award watch list, the award given out to the most versatile player in major college football.

It is not a surprise to see Ballage named to this list, and he’ll certainly have a great chance to win the award after heading the “Devil” package last season.

Ballage was the second-leading rusher for the Sun Devils running for 536 yards and 14 touchdowns, third-leading receiver with 44 receptions with 469 yards and one touchdown and even threw 30 passing yards on 3-of-4 passing and one touchdown.

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The senior running back is destined to have a big year for the Sun Devils with Arizona State expected to rely heavily on the running back tandem of Ballage and Demario Richard.

Linebacker Koron Crump joined Ballage in being named to two different watch lists.

After being named to the Bednarik Award watch list, Crump was named to the Butkus Award watch list, the award given out to the best linebacker in the country.

Crump recorded 37 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, a team-high nine sacks, one interception, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries last season.

The senior linebacker is one of 10 Pac-12 players named to the list.

Late last week, a new Sun Devil emerged on the preseason award watch lists as defensive end JoJo Wicker was named to the Bronko Nagurski Award watch list, the award given to the college defensive player.

Wicker had a breakout season for the Sun Devils last season tallying 39 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Crump was just one of three Pac-12 defensive ends named to the Nagurski watch list.

Heading into his junior season, Crump is aiming to take a big step forward in development and increase his production with Graham’s and new defensive coordinator Phil Bennett’s aggressive defensive style.

Next: ASU Football: Kalen Ballage, Koron Crump named to award watch lists

Arizona State could have more players named to watch lists this week with the Biletnikoff Award watch list and Wuerffel award watch list releasing Tuesday, Davey O’Brien Award watch list Wednesday, Doak Walker Award watch list Thursday and the Walter Camp Award watch list Friday.