Team Previews: #47, Arizona State
Welcome to the 2017 CollegeSportsCoverage Top 50 preview. Every other day we preview a new team in my top 50 rankings. Todays team is:
The Arizona State Sun Devils
Conference
PAC 12 (South)
2016 Record
5-7
Head Coach
Todd Graham (39-26, sixth year)
Coordinators
OC- Bill Napier
DC- Phil Bennett
Players Lost
K Zane Gonzales
LB Salamo Fiso
OL Evan Goodman
Key Players
RB Demario Richard
RB Kalen Ballage
WR N’Keal Harry
QB Battle: Blake Barnett (Transferred from Bama) vs Manny Wilkins
LB Koron Crump (Ronnie Lott Watch List)
Top Recruits/Class Rank
National Rank: 37
PAC 12 Rank: 8
Top Recruits
RB Eno Benjamin
QB Blake Barnett
CB Alex Perry
DE Tyler Johnson
2016 Recap
The Sun Devils started off the 2016 season hot, opening the year 4-0 with wins over Texas Tech and Cal in that stretch. Sadly, for the ASU faithful they did a complete 180 to close the year, going 0-6 in their final six games with all but one loss by double digits. There were some bright spots as QB Manny Wilkins was efficient prior to injuries, and the emergence of players like now sophomore WR N’Keal Harry, who lead the team in receiving. However, the Sun Devils do lose their unanimous All American Kicker and Lou Groza Award winner Zane Gonzales. Now Todd Graham brings back all of his offensive leaders, and throws former Elite 11 winner Blake Barnett (QB) into that equation, as the offensive is expected to lead the Sun Devils back to a bowl game.
Schedule
Aug 31. New Mexico State
Sep 9. San Diego State
Sep 16. at Texas Tech
Sep 23. Oregon
Sep 30. at Stanford
Oct 14. Washington
Oct 21. at Utah
Oct 28. USC
Nov 4. Colorado
Nov 11. at UCLA
Nov 18. at Oregon State
Nov 25. Arizona
Record Projection
W
W
W
L
L
L
W
L
W
L
W
W
(7-5)
MVP
QB Blake Barnett
WR N’Keal Harry
