Eno Benjamin to Arizona State: Sun Devils Land 4-Star RB Prospect
Jan 7, 2017
Eno Benjamin burst on the scene as one of the nation's premier running backs at Wylie East High School in Wylie, Texas, and he decided Saturdayto continue his football journey with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Benjamin announced his decision during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and shared it on Twitter:
The 4-star running back had previously announced his intention to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but he rescinded his commitment in October and reopened his recruitment.
"I think I was just tired of the recruiting process—all the visits and driving—and at the time I felt like Iowa was where I wanted to be," Benjamin told Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue. "I made that early commitment but I always planned on taking other visits."
By virtue of that decision, the Sun Devilswere able to add one of the country's most electric rushing talents to their backfield.
According to Scout, Benjamin is the 106th-ranked player among all 2017 recruits and the 10th-ranked player at his position. He's also the No. 2 running back in Scout's Midland Region rankings and the second-ranked rusher in all of Texas.
Benjamin is a logical successor to the likes of Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage for the Sun Devils.
Arizona State needed to put a backup plan in place after both runners wrapped up their junior seasons in 2016, and Benjamin fits the bill, even though he may not pack as much game-breaking potential on a carry-by-carry basis.
Nevertheless, Benjamin is a strong fit for a Sun Devils program that has provided some of the nation's most explosive offensive fireworks over the year.
Benjamin may not be a burner by any stretch—as evidenced by his verified 4.63-second 40-yard-dash time, per Scout—but he possesses a bundle of qualities that could make him a force to be reckoned with at the collegiate level.
"Benjamin is a highly instinctive, high-volume running back who possesses big-play ability as well as workhorse production," Scout wrote in its official report. "Possesses exceptional feet with outstanding balance and lateral ability. Dangerous start-and-stop runner who maximizes yardage at the second level with cutback ability."
So while he may not churn out explosive plays on a regular basis, Benjamin is the sort of patient and poised runner who can knife through defenses and make his presence felt thanks to his elusive running style and superb vision.
Tyler Johnson to Arizona State: Sun Devils Land 4-Star TE Prospect
Dec 16, 2016
Football field and stadium (Photo by: Tetra Images/AP Images)
Versatile offensive weapon Tyler Johnson announced Friday he's planning to play college football at Arizona State.
The tight end announced his decision on his Twitter account:
Johnson is a 4-star prospect who rates as the class of 2017's No. 13 tight end, according to Scout. He also checks in as the fifth-best TE from the West region and the best incoming player at the position from the state of Arizona.
Although listed at tight end, the Highland High School star fits the mold of a modern TE in that he's easily capable of moving outside to play the role of a physical wide receiver. It's something that creates serious issues for opposing defenses.
Highland coach Pete Wahlheim elaborated last year on the skill set that makes Johnson such a potentially dynamic threat, per Richard Obert of AZCentral.com.
"He's pretty special," Wahlheim said. "He's an outstanding receiver. He runs well. He is big, physical. He can play in tight, but we play him out wide because he creates matchup problems for cornerbacks. He can run with them."
Tom Lemming of CBS Sports Network liked what he saw from Johnson and provided some background info:
My former All-Americans Bill Johnson out of Chicago. Like his father he is big strong and very athletic. pic.twitter.com/LkhgNn1bBf
Right now, he's still a bit raw from a football perspective. His route running needs work, and he could do a better job of using his physical tools to his advantage. But it's his long-term potential that made him such a coveted recruit.
Johnson becomes the third tight end commitment in the 2017 class for Arizona State, which only includes 11 players total.
This could signify a change of pace for a team that didn't rely on the position much in 2016. Senior Kody Kohl led all players with seven catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Jay Jay Wilson and Raymond Epps are the only other tight ends to earn a single reception.
Still, the versatile Johnson has a chance to make an impact down the line and help add a new dimension to the passing attack.
Arizona State and Texas-San Antonio Exchange Booming Hits
Manny Wilkins, however, will most likely be suffering through this smash for much of the following week.
The scrambling Arizona State signal-caller was sent tumbling to the turf Friday night by Texas-San Antonio corner Devron Davis, who lowered the boom following the initial tackle by his teammate Michael Egwuagu.
Despite the tremendous hit, the Sun Devils were not going to be outdone.
While ASU wide receiver Tim White tiptoed down the sideline, his charging teammate leveled Roadrunners safety Andrew Martel and, inadvertently, corner Aneas Henricks for the block.
There's plenty of ice in the Alamodome, right?
[Twitter, Vine]
Ryan Kelley to ASU: Sun Devils Land 4-Star QB Prospect
May 6, 2016
Arizona State head coach Todd Graham smiles during a spring NCAA college football game Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Ryan Kelley, a 4-star quarterback who ranks as the fifth-best pro-style passer in the 2017 class, per 247Sports, announced his commitment to the Arizona State Sun Devils on Friday.
Kelley had formerly committed to the Oregon Ducks before backing off that pledge Tuesday.
The Chandler, Arizona, native cited the fit between the team's offensive system and his skill set. Kelley possesses a strong arm while also being deceptively mobile, as his junior-year highlights demonstrate.
Arizona State fans can expect a quarterback similar to former standout Mike Bercovici, who started the last two seasons for the Sun Devils, tossing 30 touchdowns a year ago while rushing for six more.
Devils Digest, Arizona State's Rivals.com affiliate, noted Kelley's pledge signals a continuation of strong recruiting momentum for the Sun Devils:
ASU showed major strides last class landing top in-state recruits. Ryan Kelley's pledge continues trend in a major way.
Head coach Todd Graham's squad features little experience in terms of signal-callers, so Kelley could come in and compete for playing time right away in 2017.
Chase Lucas to Arizona State: Sun Devils Land 4-Star ATH Prospect
Nov 9, 2015
Top athlete recruit Chase Lucas, who is one of the best players in the 2016 class, has decided to attend Arizona State, per Justin Hopkins of 247Sports, who confirmed Lucas' decision.
A native of Arizona, Lucas is rated a 4-star and is ranked as the No. 13 athlete in the 2016 class by 247Sports. He's listed as an all-purpose running back and cornerback and has the frame to play either position at 6'1" and 182 pounds.
If Lucas is going to stay on the offensive side as a running back, he will need to add more bulk to his frame before playing every down.
Richard Obert of AZCentral.com raved about Lucas' rushing ability heading into his senior season, writing, "He has been a varsity starter since his sophomore year, making big gains each year. Now, he's on top, and there is no going back. He hits the hole faster and harder than anyone in Arizona."
That glowing review of his ability lines up with his scouting report, as ESPN.com praised his ability to hit top speed and go once he gets the ball:
Very natural runner who is light on his feet with fluid lateral movements to avoid traffic. A threat to bounce and get the corner or cut back and split the seam. A glider and quick accelerator through second level to break off long runs. Wastes little movement changing direction; difficult to line up for direct hit in the open field.
You won't find many running backs beyond the high school level who can handle carrying a full load and are as thin as Lucas is. That's his main knock right now, though it's also one of the easiest problems to fix with the proper coaching and diet.
Adding that extra bulk may cost Lucas a small amount of speed, but being able to break tackles and pick up those tough yards to go with the skills he already possesses as a runner and receiver will make him even more valuable, especially in the tough Pac-12 South.
Lucas is the kind of prospect head coach Todd Graham will be thrilled to land. He's got strong present skills and plenty of untapped raw potential to become a tremendous asset over the next four years. It may take some time to see the finished product, but the wait will be worth it.
Arizona State coach Todd Graham shouts to his team during the second half during an NCAA college football game against Utah on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, in Salt Lake City. Utah won 34-18. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Arizona State Sun Devils football team has agitated its opponents over the past couple of weeks by allegedly stealing play-calling signals, but the Pac-12 does not seem to be particularly concerned about any illegal actions.
Doug Haller of AZCentral Sports passed along the conference’s comments regarding the Arizona State controversy:
While many frown upon stealing signals and consider it to be cheating, the statement highlights the fact that it is not technically against any NCAA rules. That is the most important thing, although it is fair to question the sportsmanship involved.
Arizona State head coach Todd Graham pointed to the legality of it in recent comments, per Haller: "Do we steal signals? Yeah, we do. Do people steal our signals? Yeah, (they) do. ... We are definitely going by the rules. There’s not anything illegal about looking at somebody’s signals or...somebody’s groupings."
According to Graham Watson of Yahoo Sports, Utah was concerned that Arizona State stole its signals when a Sun Devils coach made a passing motion right before the Utes attempted a pass. Oregon used sheets to cover its assistant coaches who were sending in signals out of fear that the Arizona State sideline would attempt to steal their signals.
Next up for the Sun Devils is a game against Washington State, and Cougars head coach Mike Leach thinks the league should investigate his next opponent, per Watson. “I mean, you've got two straight schools with concerns over it, back to back, and they have a reputation for it that extends beyond that," Leach said. "The conference probably ought to investigate them and see what they’re doing, make sure nothing is illegal.”
Arizona State may be stealing signals, but it’s not doing a good job of converting that to effective play on the field. It gave up 61 points to Oregon in a triple-overtime loss and dropped the Utah game, 34-18.
The Sun Devils had conference title aspirations heading into the season, and some even saw them as darkhorse contenders for the College Football Playoff. They now sit at 4-4 with work to do just to be bowl-eligible, and this serves as something of a distraction in a disappointing season.
N'keal Harry to Arizona State: Sun Devils Land 4-Star WR Prospect
Nov 2, 2015
The Arizona State Sun Devils just acquired a brand-new target, one their quarterbacks will certainly be happy about throwing to.
Wide receiver N'keal Harry out of Chandler, Arizona, announced Monday he's joining up with head coach Todd Graham's team next season, per Ralph Amsden of ArizonaVarsity.com:
The 4-star recruit is the top-rated prospect coming out of the state of Arizona, according to 247Sports' composite rankings. He also is the 16th-best wide receiver in the nation and 99th among all class-of-2016 products in the country.
In his junior year, Harry recorded 30 receptions for 657 yards and 13 touchdowns in 13 games, according to Rivals. At times, it looks like the ball is glued to his hands, as Harry's making this one-handed grab in Baltimore shows, per C-TownRivals:
— The C-Town Rivals Podcast (@ctownrivals) June 6, 2015
At 6'4", 210 pounds, Harry is an exceptional route-runner with enough agility to use in order to lose his defender. With solid speed, he can also outrun the secondary when it comes to those long go routes. While watching him play, one can see him blow by countless defenders. You can watch some of his highlights courtesy of Hudl.
Harry also put in a great performance at the Rivals Camp Series in Las Vegas. 247Sports showed the outing that helped put the wide receiver on the map:
He is not going to be able to simply outrun Division I talent, and his defenders will not always be smaller than him—like they might have been in high school. Harry will have to perfect his game in the air, working on body control to go up and win those aerial battles, but he will have plenty of time to hone his craft in what can become a standout stint in the NCAA.
N'keal Harry Commits to Arizona State: What 4-Star WR Brings to Sun Devils
Nov 2, 2015
According to AZCentral.com's Richard Obert, wide receiver N'keal Harry revealed his college plans on Monday afternoon during a commitment ceremony held at Chandler High School in Arizona.
The 4-star prospect pledged to Arizona State over fellow finalists Texas A&M, Oregon, Washington and USC:
His decision provides the Sun Devils with a pivotal recruiting victory over three Pac-12 rivals and an Aggies squad that's pried elite talent away from Arizona during recent cycles.
Harry, a 6'4", 210-pound playmaker, is rated 16th nationally among 2016 receivers. He's considered a top-100 overall recruit and the No. 1 senior player in his home state.
A lengthy list of scholarship offers also features Nebraska, Wisconsin, Oregon State and Arizona. He's one of the most heavily targeted offensive prospects in the Southwest in this cycle.
Harry is currently enjoying a career-best campaign at Chandler, a perennial powerhouse in the suburban Phoenix area. Though he missed the team's most recent game with an ankle injury, Harry has 44 receptions for 784 yards and seven touchdowns through nine contests, per MaxPreps.
He hauled in 30 passes for 657 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior last season, according to Obert.
Harry is a long-limbed athlete who excels in traffic and makes life easier for quarterbacks with an expansive catch radius. He's not a burner but manages to burst through cuts and exhibits above-average agility for a player of his physical stature.
It's also impressive to see an athlete with such length sustain enough coordination to be labeled a quality route-runner at this age.
There's plenty of room for growth in his downfield approach, but there are a lot of things to like about how he handles different roles in the offensive attack.
His physicality sets the stage for sizable gains after the catch and allows him to power through arm tackles. Harry needs to work on extending for the football, but it's a nuance that he's worked on as an upperclassman, and that technique should come more naturally through collegiate repetitions.
Arizona State has added another dynamic playmaker to a passing game that presently features five players with at least 20 receptions through eight games.
Expect Harry to quickly build a rapport with freshman quarterback Brady White, a 2015 Elite 11 finalist who could become the face of this Sun Devils attack if he beats out Manny Wilkins and Bryce Perkins next year.
Head coach Todd Graham targeted Harry as a coveted in-state commodity and actually traveled to his high school last Friday via helicopter, according to Blair Angulo of Rivals.com.
Arizona State has landed a potential immediate-impact wide receiver with elite size and, perhaps most importantly, sent a message to programs attempting to raid its home recruiting turf.
Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Tyler via Twitter @TDsTake.
ASU's Deonte Reynolds Involved in Fight, Shots Reportedly Fired in Tempe
Nov 1, 2015
TEMPE, AZ - OCTOBER 19: The Arizona State Sun Devils logo is displayed on the field during the college football game against the Washington Huskies at Sun Devil Stadium on October 19, 2013 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Huskies 53-24. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
An Arizona State Sun Devils football player was involved in an altercation Saturday that ended when someone reportedly fired gunshots.
According to Miguel Otarola of the Arizona Republic, Sun Devils defensive lineman Deonte Reynolds got into a fight with someone at a gathering of nearly 300 people near an American Legion hall in Tempe, Arizona. Otarola noted “someone in the crowd fired multiple rounds during the fight, scattering the crowd, witnesses said.”
Brad Denny of 3TV Sports provided an image of the aftermath at the scene:
Reynolds was treated for minor injuries, although there were no reported firearm injuries in nearby hospitals.
Police found blood at the scene, although witnesses said it was from a fistfight. Nobody was arrested, and police are attempting to sort out the details.
According to Doug Haller of the Republic, Reynolds missed 15 days of practice while waiting for NCAA clearance before the season started.
Oregon vs. Arizona State: Score, Highlights and Twitter Reaction
Oct 30, 2015
Oregon's Vernon Adams Jr. (3) gets off a pass as Arizona State's Ismael Murphy-Richardson (17) applies pressure during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Oregon Ducks claimed their ninth-straight victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils Thursday night with a thrilling 61-55 triple-overtime victory at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
Neither team has a chance at the College Football Playoff, but Oregon's win keeps their Pac-12 Championship hopes alive, and moves them to 5-3 on the season.
It was ironic the game came down to a defensive play after the teams combined for 1,242 total yards.
ASU QB Mike Bercovici throws an interception in the 3rd OT to give Oregon the win. What. A. Game. #UOvsASUhttps://t.co/hxUUEm3Mm9
A touchdown that almost wasn't gave the Ducks the victory. Vernon Adams found Bralon Addison in the back of the end zone from 20 yards out to take the 61-55 lead. It appeared Addison's left foot may have been out of bounds, but the touchdown call stood after the replay.
The Ducks missed a two-point conversion attempt from the Wildcat formation, but it didn't matter.
Despite the loss, the Sun Devils fought hard in this one. It might have been the greatest tribute they could have had for one of their most cherished former players. Pat Tillman, a former Sun Devil, Arizona Cardinal and Army Ranger, was killed in 2004 while serving his country in Afghanistan. The team honored him with one of the most unique tributes to anyone in all of sports Thursday, as seen in this tweet by ESPN:
Every player on Arizona State is wearing Pat Tillman jerseys tonight and wore warmups with a Tillman quote. pic.twitter.com/OxSIlUHEiO
The most impressive "Tillman" Thursday was quarterback Mike Bercovici who finished 32-of-53 with 398 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. On the other side, Adams threw for 315 yards and four scores, including this crazy one with 12 seconds left in the game to force overtime:
Wow... Oregon scores a TD on 4th down with 12 seconds on the clock to tie the game vs Arizona State! #SCtop10https://t.co/3MtuPdxFFl
Earlier, Oregon jumped out to a 17-7 lead, and Bercovici closed the gap with 2:36 left before the half when he connected with Gary Chambers for a 39-yard touchdown pass.
The Sun Devils took their first lead on a Demario Richard 22-yard run with 9:27 left in the third quarter, set up by a great defensive play as shown by ESPN:
Arizona St takes the lead thanks to a 22-yd TD run! It was set up by this impressive 1-handed Int. #UOvsASUhttps://t.co/LYrTz4tZNv
The Ducks continued right where they left off two minutes later after stopping the Sun Devils on offense, this time with a 62-yard touchdown run by Kani Benoit.
ASU bounced back with a Zane Gonzalez 33-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. After forcing an Oregon punt, the Sun Devils wasted no time, finding paydirt once again with Bercovici's fourth passing score of the night to give them a 41-34 lead.
Yet, a lead of a touchdown or less is never safe against Oregon, and Adams showed just why when he found Dwayne Stanford on the crazy, game-tying play.
Before the contest went to overtime, Arizona State had more yards in one game than any since 2012, per ESPN Stats & Info:
Sun Devils: largest total yardage since gaining 648 vs Navy on Dec. 29, 2012. They haven't topped 650 since Dec. 27, 2005 at Rutgers.
Whether that means anything to you or not, at the very least, both teams were entertaining everyone who stayed up to watch, including ESPN's Holly Rowe:
This game is insane! #OREGONsASU @vadams_qb huge throw!!! OT here we go. ESPN now
Fox 11 Los Angeles anchor Christine Devine had some fun with the game that began on Thursday as it headed into double overtime, and Friday, in the Midwest and on the East Coast:
Once the game finally ended it featured three 100-yard rushers, a 100-yard receiver and two 300-yard passers. The Sun Devils tied a record they probably don't care much about, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
Arizona State: Most points Sun Devils have scored in a defeat since also tallying 55 in a 56-55 double-overtime loss against Oregon in 2000.
Oregon moves to 3-2 in the Pac-12 and is still mathematically alive for a chance to play for the conference championship. At 2-3, with a loss to Pac-12 South leader Utah, the Sun Devils are all but out when it comes to the conference title.
Postgame Reaction
Oregon seemed rather lucky to escape with the victory. Not only because of a close call in the end zone, but because the Sun Devils put up an offensive effort that usually would result in a victory.
Arizona St out gained Oregon 741 to 501 & had 11 more 1st downs than the Ducks, but still lost. Tough game. #UOvsASUpic.twitter.com/ZfgLQq0iFN
It wasn't all luck. Adams contributed mightily to the victory, with impressive numbers and multiple big plays that only happened because he kept them alive with his feet.
From the yards given up on defense, dropped passes, close calls and amazing plays, it's a win Oregon fans will take, but Oregonian columnist John Canzano summed it up pretty well with this tweet:
Ok. Appreciate that the Ducks didn’t quit vs. ASU, but man, they were in their own way all Thurs night. My column: https://t.co/yNCxlximg4
These aren't Chip Kelly's Oregon Ducks that lost just seven games in four years during his tenure, but Thursday they found a way to win, and flashed some of that high-scoring offense they are known for.
It's not going to be an easy road for the Ducks if they want a chance at the conference title, as they have Cal, Stanford and USC on the slate the next three weeks. However, their offense, that has now scored 60-plus points three times this season, will always give them a chance to win.
