ASU’s Chase Lucas relishes opportunity to lead, set the standard

During film sessions, Arizona State Sun Devils cornerback Chase Lucas always has his notepad.

After Marvin Lewis joined the program as an advisor to head coach Herm Edwards, the former Cincinnati Bengals head coach made sure that Lucas was always writing.

“Coach Lewis hit it big last year,” Lucas said on Monday while speaking to reporters on Zoom. “He would get on all of us and ask, ‘Why don’t you have a notepad and pencil out? You guys want to be in the NFL, this is the pro model.’ We took that into spring ball. … We knew what we were doing before we touched the field.”

Throughout his career at ASU, the Chandler, Ariz., native has made an impact since earning a starting role his freshman year in 2017 an All-Pac-12 Second Team nod. Lucas has recorded 159 tackles, six interceptions, 22 pass deflections and two sacks over four years in maroon and gold.

Since bursting onto the scene, Lucas feels that he’s matured and gotten better with age.

In his time with ASU, Lucas has developed and become a leader in the film room and on the field. Lucas has strived to set an example for younger players, so they don’t make the same mistakes that he did.

“What you do off the field is an exact representation of how you play on it,” Lucas said. “I’ve been telling the freshman this whole time that the party is always going to be there. … At the end of the day, you’re here to play football and go to school to create a better life for yourself. … At the end of the day, I’m blessed to be in this position and help the young guys out.”

While Lucas has grown into his role as a team captain, Edwards always envisioned that Lucas would become a leader within the program.

“When I first met Chase … I looked at him and told him that eventually, you’re going to be one of the leaders on this football team,” Edwards said. “The players respect him as a person and as a player. When he says something, it makes a loud noise in that the players know ‘we have to hold each other accountable,’ especially the guys that decided to come back.”

Lucas’ experiences have helped him prepare for those leading moments. Whether it’s in meetings or in practice, Lucas has tried to be a force of encouragement and motivation.

“If it’s ball drills, if it’s watching film, I’m pushing everybody every day,” Lucas said. “I told everybody I didn’t come back here to be average. I didn’t come back here to be good. I came back here to be legendary and to be great. … I’m going to hold everybody to that standard.”