ASU Football: Johnson, Perry prepare for bigger roles in secondary

(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)

A day after what Arizona State head coach Todd Graham deemed the best practice since he arrived to Tempe, the Sun Devils conducted a scrimmage closed to the public and media.

With the season opener against Texas A&M just over two weeks away, Graham was pleased with the way his defense played today, saying they held the offense to zero big plays during the scrimmage.

“This is the most passionate football team,” Graham said. “They’re competitive and combative on the football field, and I like that.”

Armand Perry making a run at field safety

Last season, sophomore defensive back Armand Perry played a significant role in ASU’s secondary primarily as the nickel cornerback.

The Las Vegas-native played in every game last season, recorded 34 tackles and he returned his lone interception 61 yards for a game-clinching touchdown against Washington.

After missing out on spring football because of an injury, Perry has shifted to the field safety position that was held by Damarious Randall last season before he became a first round pick for the Green Bay Packers.

The position often calls for the player to operate in a lot of man free coverage, meaning one-on-one with no help. Operating on the field side, the field safety also covers more ground than nearly everybody, so range is important as well.

“My mentality is a savage mentality,” Perry said. “You got to go out there and want to compete with the best of them. Go out there, fly around, make plays on the ball.”

Perry showed quality instincts last season, and he feels comfortable in the new spot.

“If I wasn’t confident, then the coaches wouldn’t put me out there,” he said. “I’m confident in my scheme and my techniques. I’m confident in my ball skills. I just feel like I have a knack for the ball.”

While Perry was sidelined during spring camp, redshirt sophomore James Johnson got the majority of the first team reps at the position. However, Johnson knows both the field and bandit safety positions, and he is likely to see plenty of time on the field, according to ASU co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Chris Ball.

“James is going to play a lot of football for us,” Ball said. “It’s still a battle.”

And with redshirt senior Jordan Simone looking toward a big season at bandit safety, the Sun Devil secondary seems to be in solid shape this season.

“We’re the bird gang,” Perry said. “And we really pride ourselves on that.”

Practice notes

– Graham said freshman Nick Ralston will be the starting fullback and second 3-back.

– He also said freshman defensive lineman JoJo Wicker is in the starting lineup. Wicker has spent time at Devil and 3-tech throughout camp.

– Redshirt freshman Connor Humphreys has been moved to the offensive line, playing guard. Graham says it is a move that should have happened in the spring, but he has chance to see some time at the position.

– Junior defensive lineman Deonte Reynolds is in Tempe doing physicals, but he has not practiced with the team yet. Reynolds is a transfer from Contra Costa College in California, and he was ranked as the sixth-best junior college defensive tackle by Scout.com.

 

You can reach Zac Pacleb on Twitter @ZacPacleb or via email at zacpacleb@gmail.com

 

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