ASU Football: Secondary positional breakdown

After finishing as the worst pass defense in the Pac-12, ASU football looks to improve the secondary despite some key departures during the offseason.

A large part of why ASU football’s defense has struggled has been the play of their secondary.

Last season the Sun Devils ranked as the third-worst scoring defense in the Pac-12 allowing 39.8 points per game with only Oregon and California allowing more points.

When it came to total defense, Arizona State were ranked last allowing 520.5 yards per game and 7.1 yards per play.

It was the pass defense that caused Arizona State to rank as one of the worst defenses in the nation last season as they ranked seventh in the conference in rush defense.

The Sun Devils finished at the bottom in the Pac-12 in pass defense allowing 357.4 yards per game.

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Arizona, who finished in 11th in the conference in the same category, allowed 275.2 yards per game, a gap of 82.2 yards.

So it’s safe to say Arizona State needs to improve in the secondary for them to regain their standing as one of the best defenses in the Pac-12.

Head coach Todd Graham and new defensive coordinator Phil Bennett will have their work cut out for them as the secondary is an young group.

Armand Perry, who was going to be a key veteran and leader, announced his retirement after battling with several injuries over the course of his career.

The most experienced players returning to the Sun Devils secondary for the upcoming season is senior Maurice Chandler.

Chandler finished last season playing in 11 games recording 16 tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass deflections.

The other two seniors in the secondary, J’Marcus Rhodes and Chad Adams, also received significant playing time last season as Rhodes played in every games while Adams played in 11 games.

After joining Arizona State as a JUCO transfer, Rhodes tallied 30 tackles and one pass deflection last season while Adams finished with 19 tackles, one pass deflection and one forced fumble.

Behind those three seniors, there’s not a whole lot of experience but there is certainly talent.

Highly-touted joining Arizona State last season, Chase Lucas will look to make an impact after being redshirted last season.

Another freshman that could make an impact is Alex Perry, Armand’s brother, coming in from Bishop Gorman High School.

Other freshmen worth keeping an eye on as camp progresses is Evan Fields, Langston Frederick, and K.J. Jarrell.

Next: ASU Football: Linebackers positional breakdown

Considering the vast inexperience among this group, the defensive backs will be in a way thrown into the fire and will be tested early and often during the upcoming season considering the strength of Arizona State’s front seven.