ASU Football: Previewing the 2021 Sun Devils’ veteran-heavy defense

(Photo: Susan Wong/WCSN)

The saying goes that time is precious.

That line sums up Arizona State Football’s 2020 season in a nutshell. However, despite just a 2-2 record on the year, the Sun Devils attempted to make the most of their time on the field and showed flashes of potential.

ASU’s offense made waves led by then-sophomore dual-threat QB Jayden Daniels and the dynamic running back tandem of then-junior Rachaad White and then-freshmen DeaMonte Trayanum – thanks to the Sun Devils’ 70-7 slaughtering of Arizona to conclude the season and that four game total in 2020, ASU’s offense was first in the nation with 40.3 points per game and over 450 yards per game.

While the offensive numbers stand out, ASU’s defensive numbers were also impressive. It allowed 23.3 points per game and had 13 turnovers, which both led the Pac-12 Conference. Yet, the defensive unit still has room for improvement, and with 10 of 11 starters returning, this could be a prove-it year for the group.

To preview the unit, here is a breakdown of each position group.

Defensive Backs

The bus starts and ends with fifth-year senior cornerback Chase Lucas at the helm, who will be one of ASU’s four captains. Lucas was virtually untouchable in coverage last season, as he was targeted 22 times and only allowed 14 catches on his way to being the highest graded Pac-12 cornerback in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. He can also defend in open space, as he had 15 tackles and a forced fumble last season.

Lucas is joined by fellow fifth-year senior Jack Jones, who had an erratic season in 2020. After playing in the season opener against USC, Jones was suspended for team conduct reasons and did not play in ASU’s final three games. He was a Pac-12 All-Conference selection in his junior year, which could translate to Jones being another reliable lockdown corner opposite of Lucas if he stays on the field.

The group also brings back senior safeties Evan Fields – who led the team with 38 tackles and three forced fumbles last year – and DeAndre Pierce, who proved his worth last season under his father and then-co-defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce.

ASU possesses a deep unit of versatile, physical defensive backs that can make plays all around the field. Junior wide receiver Ricky Pearsall said during training camp that the offense “believes that [ASU’s defense is] going to be the best defense we’re going to see all year.”

Still, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows though. The Sun Devils were ninth in the Pac-12 in pass defense in 2020, allowing 252.5 yards a game through the air. They will also have to improve on third downs, as their opponents converted 44.9% of the time.

Linebackers

There are not too many surprises or questions about ASU’s linebacker room – just expectations. The veteran theme continues in this department, as three starters – Merlin Robertson, Darien Butler and Kyle Soelle – are all seniors this season.

Soelle – who was second on the team with 26 tackles last year – and Butler are both returning ASU captains, while Robertson is a former Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Robertson likely had the game of his life to begin last season against USC, totaling 10 tackles (half of his total tackles for the season), a fumble recovery and an interception.

Butler said that the chemistry between the three is at an all-time high, with the trio being “so comfortable… we see [the opposing offense] and it’s like, ‘Okay, we’ve seen this before, [and] we know what to do. Let’s just execute.’”

However, if one of them goes down with an injury, a major key is which direction Pierce would decide to go with the limited experience behind them. Connor Soelle, Caleb McCullough and Jordan Banks are all redshirt freshman who saw limited action last year, while Xavier Steele is a graduate transfer from UMass.

Defensive Line

The defensive line was a major strength for ASU last year, totaling nine sacks and 24 tackles for loss. The unit also had 70 total quarterback pressures, equaling a 17.5 pressures per game mark that was first in the conference.

Then-junior defensive tackle Jermayne Lole was a vital contributor, leading the team in tackles for loss (five) and second in sacks (1.5). This season, Lole, a Pro Football Focus Preseason All-American, was on track for “the best season of his life,” according to ASU defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez. But his season was derailed in early August with a season-ending upper-body injury, leaving a large hole to fill for the group.

Despite the loss, Rodriguez said he is “sleeping good at night” knowing that he has senior Shannon Forman and redshirt freshman Omar Norman-Lott to step in, as both made strides during fall camp. Norman-Lott has gifted speed and could be balanced by Forman’s experience and leadership.

LSU graduate transfer defensive end Travez Moore was another standout at fall camp and is another name to look out for on the line, with his experience at a big-time SEC program possibly proving useful.

Depth also exists with seasoned veterans in senior defensive tackle DJ Davidson – a 6-5, 325 pound load inside – and redshirt junior defensive end Michael Matus, who had a productive season last year with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

But the real star of the group could be senior defensive end Tyler Johnson. He exploded in 2020 for five of the team’s nine sacks and a team-high 7.5 tackles for loss, which earned him a nod on All-Pac-12 Second Team.

While the pass rush was solid a year ago, the defensive line will have to improve its run defense, which finished ninth in the Pac-12 with 183.2 yards allowed in 2020.

This season, all eyes will be solely on Pierce for reasons on and off the field, as he is now calling the shots on defense with Marvin Lewis returning to his role as special assistant to head coach Herm Edwards.

For the plethora of seniors on the defensive end, their time is certainly precious this season. Many chose to run it back and opt into an additional year with hopes of a Rose Bowl win. If there was one takeaway from Fall Camp, it was that Pasadena wasn’t a dream – it was the expectation.