Positional analysis: Keyshaun Elliott set to headline linebackers for Sun Devil defense

In defensive coordinator Brian Ward’s scheme, linebackers aren’t on the field nearly as much as the defensive line or secondary, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important. Arizona State frequently uses just two true linebackers, but the position plays right in the middle, needing to be adept against both the run and the pass. 

Last year, Ward used a healthy rotation between four guys. Caleb McCullough and Keyshaun Elliott led the way in snaps, but Jordan Crook and Zyrus Fiaseu saw plenty of action in sub packages as well. McCullough is no longer with the team, graduating after last season, but the other three return. 

They’re not alone, though, as Ward and linebackers coach AJ Cooper - who also serves as the run game coordinator - have added to the linebacker room to provide the Sun Devils with the most depth they’ve had in several years. Our own David Howman and Andrew Hayslett take a look at the position group and what to expect. 

Howman: The big name here is Keyshaun Elliott. I was most impressed with him out of the four linebackers who played for Arizona State last year. He was easily their most reliable run stopping linebacker, racking up 43 tackles and registering 26 run stops. He also showed plus ability as a blitzer, leading all linebackers in both pressures and sacks. 

Now that he has another year under his belt, and with a slightly less crowded room, I expect to see not only an uptick in playing time but a major boost in productivity. Not to oversell it, but I think Elliott has the potential to finish the year out as an All-Big 12 pick, especially with the talent coming back on the defensive line to help free him up to roam the second level. 

Hayslett: I also think Elliott will take a step up. He assisted on 40 tackles last season, the most of all the linebackers. Jordan Crook will likely see the next highest level of playing time. He had eight more solo tackles last year while playing two fewer games. 

Both players are true seniors who transferred in prior to last season. Elliott had a pair of good seasons at New Mexico State, where he registered 59 solo tackles in his sophomore year. Crook only had eight tackles in both of his seasons at Arkansas. For me, it will be interesting to see how they perform this year, as they have similar stories with differences that make it intriguing to compare the two. 

Howman: I'm excited to see more of Crook, too. At the Big 12 Football Media Days, center Ben Coleman went out of his way during an interview portion to specifically hype Crook up as a player who has made massive strides from last season that nobody is talking about yet. 

I'm also curious to see what role Fiaseu has. Of these three linebackers, he was the one I was most excited for when they all first transferred into Arizona State. He led San Diego State in tackles in 2023 and was voted the team's defensive MVP while grading out as one of the best linebackers in the Mountain West conference. 

He's also going to be a senior this year, but it sounds like playing time will be scarce with Elliott and Crook in there. Still, Fiaseu intrigues me as a potent third option. 

Hayslett: Fiaseu was the first Sun Devil to score in the 2024 season with an interception returned for a touchdown. He had 31 solo tackles with the Aztecs in his redshirt sophomore year. All three will play crucial roles in the team's defense.

I’m also interested in what redshirt junior Tate Romney can do as well. Romney sat out a handful of games at the start of the season last year. Romney had 29 solo tackles in his redshirt freshman year with the Sun Devils so he clearly has the potential. In the seven games he played last year Romney had only four tackles. All four linebackers all could play critical roles.

Howman: The Sun Devils definitely have some good depth here right now. I’m also looking to Romney, especially since the other three will be gone next year, leaving vacancies in the second level of this defense. Arizona State already has two underclassmen in the building in Martell Hughes and Isaiah Iosefa, both of whom have been drawing rave reviews already. 

Of course, for this upcoming season, we seem to know who the top four will be. Elliott, in particular, is ready for a massive season, while the three others alongside him will all have their moments to shine.