ASU football focused on getting better, head coach Kenny Dillingham says
Dillingham says if program is teaching players to focus on doubters, “then we’re teaching a horrible message to our players.”
For the second straight season, the Arizona State football program has reloaded through the transfer portal. Head coach Kenny Dillingham says it isn’t the ideal scenario, but it was the rout ASU had to go given where the program was when he took over.
Dillingham is encouraged by the group of high school players brought in this season and said the best-case scenario is having solid young players to help build a foundation and then supplementing that with experienced transfers.
ASU’s transfer portal class, which is made up of 30 athletes, ranked 30th overall by 247Sports — fourth in the Big 12 behind Colorado, Central Florida and TCU.
Here are 10 players who will be important to the team’s success this season.
OL Josh Atkins (R-Jr., 6-3, 320)
The injuries to the offensive line have been well-documented. The Sun Devils needed an experienced starter and they got it with Atkins, who started 13 games and played 888 snaps in 2023 at Hawaii. That was the sixth-most of any offensive lineman in the Mountain West. Atkins has been getting first-team reps at left tackle where he has been sharing time with returning veteran Emmit Bohle.
RB Raleek Brown (R-So., 5-9, 180)
Brown started his collegiate career at USC and rushed for 227 yards on 42 carries. He also caught 16 passes for 175 yards and tallied 24 kick returns for a total of 517 yards. Last season he moved to slot receiver and didn’t factor at all, using a redshirt instead. He had a good spring but was sidelined for most of fall camp with a hamstring issue. The Sun Devils are blessed with some depth here, so they don’t have to rush him back. He is the explosive threat out of the backfield they had been looking for.
DT Jeff Clark (Gr., 6-1, 285)
Clark is a veteran. He played three seasons at Georgia State before moving on to Louisville last season. ASU was a natural selection for his third stop because he took a visit and considered ASU before choosing Louisville. He appeared in 13 games as a reserve defensive tackle, recording 14 tackles and two tackles for loss. ASU has had success with defensive tackles out of the portal in recent years with Nesta Jade Silvera and Dashaun Mallory. Clark could be the next.
LB Keyshaun Elliott (Jr., 6-2, 230)
Elliot was the leading tacker and a second-team All-Conference USA selection last season at New Mexico State. He also played more than 900 snaps. His importance to the squad is evidenced by the fact he will be the one wearing a transmitter in his helmet as part of the new technology in college football. It will be Elliott getting calls from defensive coordinator Brian Ward and relaying them to his teammates.
QB Sam Leavitt (R-Fr., 6-2, 200)
The Michigan State transfer won the job over two veterans. Dillingham has praised his work ethic and studious nature but now the pressure is on to deliver. His playing time last season consisted of mop-up duty in a handful of games. However, he possesses the physical attributes needed to excel at the position. He has the benefit of good talent at the other skill positions. Dillingham said the key for Leavitt is not to force anything that isn’t there because a mistake can change a third-and-manageable distance to a third-and-long.
DB Cole Martin (So., 5-10, 180)
The transfer from Oregon has great instincts for the game because he has been around the game all of his life. His father, Demetrice, is the cornerbacks coach at Michigan State. Martin, a local out of Basha High School, appeared in every game as a true freshman for Oregon in 2023, finishing with 21 tackles, two pass deflections, and an interception. He should see time at nickelback.
RB Alton McCaskill (R-Jr., 6-1, 205)
McCaskill was a star as a true freshman at Houston where he a program record with 16 touchdowns and rushed for 961 yards. He was sidelined for the 2022 season with a torn ACL. He played in just four games a year ago at Colorado and, like every running back on the Colorado roster, opted to transfer out, eventually landing in Tempe. His addition helps give ASU the most depth it has had in the position in a long time.
WR Malik McClain (Sr., 6-4, 200)
McClain was a week late getting to fall camp but has been impressive. He makes a good receiving group better. ASU position coach Hines Ward says McClain is an important addition because of his length. At 6-foot-4 he is among the tallest. McClain played in 13 games and totaled six catches for 71 yards and one touchdown at Penn State. He started his career at Florida State where he had 33 catches for 396 yards and five touchdowns.
TE Chamon Metayer (R-Jr., 6-4, 255)
Metayer played in 17 games over three seasons for Cincinnati and totaled 24 receptions for 290 yards and five touchdowns. He hit the portal and enrolled at Colorado in January but left that school halfway through spring practices. His addition was important because ASU did not have a tight end returning from last year’s squad. The unit was one of ASU’s biggest question marks, but Metayer has emerged as the probable starter.
DB Javan Robinson (R-So., 5-11, 175)
Robinson is a transfer from Washington State where he redshirted in 2022 and played in seven games last year. He’ll be a valuable contributor, especially since he played in Brian Ward’s defense for a year, even if it was one in which he redshirted. Robinson has been getting first-team reps at cornerback where ASU needed help after the departure of Ed Woods to the transfer portal.
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Publish date : 2024-08-29 08:41:00
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