There are 83 days left until Sun Devil football kicks off its new season. While yesterday we looked as one of the best wide receivers in program history, John Jefferson, today we spotlight a current player who hopes to follow in his footsteps.
And it all comes full circle 🙌
— Blake Niemann (@Blakes_Take2) November 30, 2024
ASU sixth-year senior QB Trenton Bourguet (@Trenton__B16), who grew up in Tucson, connects with walk-on wide receiver Derek Eusebio (@derekeusebio3) for the 64-yard touchdown.
49-7 Arizona State@SunDevilSource pic.twitter.com/WBncFYadkn
Derek Eusebio grew up in Plano, Texas but did not receive much recruiting interest. He starred at Parish Episcopal, one of the top private school football teams in the state, but Eusebio ultimately chose to walk-on at Arizona State.
Sun Devil football has a rich history of walk-on players, though. Fred Gammage III, who we recently highlighted, is the most recent such case. But stars like Adam Archuleta, Levi jones, and Darren Woodson all started off without a scholarship.
Eusebio has already shown hints that he may very well be the next.
After turning heads left and right in summer practices last year, Eusebio was added to the team's travel roster. Several players went on to cite him as having the best hands on the team, and Eusebio's speed was well above what anyone expects from a walk-on.
After spending most of the year riding the pine, though, Eusebio got a chance to play in the Territorial Cup and he did not disappoint. Eusebio took a quick screen pass 64 yards for a touchdown, adding even more to a blowout win over a hated rival.
Since then, Arizona State has spent time beefing up their wide receiver room next to star Jordyn Tyson. Fresno State transfer Jalen Moss figures to be a starter, while Alabama tranfser Jaren Hamilton and Clemson transfer Noble Johnson have both flashed in spring practice.
It all seems to point to Eusebio not being a serious contender for snaps this year, but then again, people felt the same way this time last year. All that happened after that was Eusebio earning a scholarship, cementing his role on this team.
Eusebio's first year in Tempe offered a great introduction to him, but this story is only just getting started. It will be fun to watch Eusebio this season and see how he responds when he does get on the field. We'll find out in just 83 days.