ESPN.com: ASU’s defensive backs are in ‘great shape’
Jul 17, 2015, 1:02 PM | Updated: 1:17 pm
ASU has been one of the premier schools in the country in producing defensive back talent in recent years, and should be as geared up as ever in 2015.
ESPN.com Pac-12 blogger Kyle Bonagura broke down each defensive back unit in the Pac-12 South, labeling ASU’s unit as being in “great shape.”
Gone is first-round pick Damarious Randall, but he’s the only departure from a secondary that should be among the conference’s best in 2015. Free safety Jordan Simone was the Sun Devils’ leading tackler a year ago (100 tackles), and returns with 2014 starters junior Lloyd Carrington and senior Kweishi Brown.
ASU’s hyper-aggressive defense allowed an average of 27.9 points and 259.7 passing yards per game last season, picking up 14 interceptions and 13 fumble recoveries.
The Sun Devils returned three of those 14 interceptions for touchdowns, including two in one game against Notre Dame.
Three-fourths of the starting defensive backfield comes back in 2014, with redshirt sophomore James Johnson expected to take over for Randall.
