Yesterday we took a look back at one of the most underappreciated pass rushers in Sun Devil football history: Ishmael Thrower. Today, it's time to examine the legacy of one of the most well-known sack machines the program has ever produced.
Modern football fans are well acquainted with the name Terrell Suggs. His reputation as a punishing linebacker preceded him during his 16-year NFL career and that made him an invaluable talent.
Though what most NFL fans may not be aware of is his stories formative years as a member of the Arizona State football team from 2000-02. The Minneapolis-born Suggs moved to the valley as a teenager and quickly became highly-touted football prospect at Chandler and then Hamilton High School. He was the 2000 Gatorade and USA Today Arizona Player of the Year.
Suggs chose head coach Bruce Snyder and the Sun Devils to play his college ball, quickly impressing at defensive end for him and coach Dirk Koetter who took over for Snyder in 2001. Suggs earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year honors his first season in Tempe and from there racked up even more awards. He was a two-time All-Pac-10 First Teamer (2001, 2002) and was named conference defensive player of the year as well as a unanimous All-American selection during his junior season.
Suggs went 2-1 in the Territorial Cup against rivals Arizona and set the program records for career sacks (44) and tackles for a loss (65.5). He was inducted into the ASU Hall of Fame in 2022 for his lasting legacy.
Those efforts made him one of the highest-rated prospects entering the 2003 NFL Draft where he went 10th overall to the Baltimore Ravens. He was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Defensive Rookie of the Year (2003), league Defensive Player of the Year (2011) and a first-team All-Pro (2011).
His crowning achievements, however, were winning Super Bowls XLVII and LIV with the Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively. He finished his pro career eighth on the NFL's all-time sacks list and was a finalist for Pro Hall of Fame induction in his first year of eligibility.