ASU’s Jaelen Strong listed as impact newcomer in Pac-12
Aug 7, 2013, 2:48 PM | Updated: 2:48 pm
The preseason accolades continue to pour in for Arizona State sophomore receiver Jaelen Strong, who has been listed by Rivals.com as one of five Pac-12 newcomers who could make an impact in 2013.
There are many things working in Strong’s favor. First, Arizona State was average at wide receiver last season and it is even thinner this year, so players will absolutely need to step up. Strong has outstanding size, and he’s coming off an exceptional season during which he led Southern California junior college players with about 1,200 receiving yards. There are not many players in front of him, so Strong could be a productive player right away. The Sun Devils might need him to do it.
Strong posted eye-popping numbers at Pierce C.C. as a freshman last season, catching 67 balls for 1,263 yards and 15 touchdowns in just 10 games. Rivals.com rated him as the eighth-best junior college receiver in the country.
Unfortunately, Strong didn’t get to participate in Arizona State’s first practices Tuesday. His academic paperwork hasn’t been completed yet.
Strong was joined on the list by UCLA defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes, USC saftey Su’a Cravens, Arizona quarterback Anu Solomon and Oregon running back Thomas Tyner.
