Four ASU Sun Devils named to All-Pac-12 Teams
Nov 29, 2016, 4:05 PM
Arizona State defensive lineman JoJo Wicker (1) celebrates after making a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Southern California Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
(AP Photo/Ryan Kang)
Four Arizona State Sun Devils earned All-Pac-12 Teams recognition on Tuesday.
Kicker Zane Gonzalez was named to the All-Pac-12- First Team, while senior punter Matt Haack, sophomore defensive lineman JoJo Wicker and senior linebacker Koron Crump were each named to the All-Pac-12 Second Team.
Gonzalez’s strong career as a Sun Devil also earned him his third career Pac-12 post season honor in addition to being a Lou Groza Award Finalist. The Deer Park, Texas, native finished the season as the nation’s all-time career FBS leader in field goals made (96) and points by a kicker (494).
Gonzalez set the bar high for kickers in the Pac-12 by setting career records. He holds the most field goals made in a game (4), career field goals made, most field goals from over 40 yards in a single season (13) and most field goals from over 50 yards in in a single season (7).
Gonzalez wasn’t the only bright spot for the Sun Devils.
Haack was named to the second team after he launched 66 punts on the season for a total of 2,897 yards, which was the second-most in the conference. Haack pinned opponents deep in their own territory with 21 of his punts landing inside the 20 yard line. He also bombed 16 punts for over 50 yards.
While ASU struggled mightily on defense, Wicker stepped up big in his second season. He finished the year with 11 tackles for a loss, which is ninth overall in the Pac-12 this season. As a defensive lineman, Wicker broke up three passes, forced a fumble and made a fumble recovery.
The final Sun Devil to be named to one of the Pac-12 teams is Crump, who recorded 37 total tackles, including 10.5 tackles for a loss. Additionally, he led ASU with nine sacks, which is tied for third among all players in the Pac-12. With Crump’s recognition, ASU has had at least one linebacker represented on the All-Pac-12 teams for six of the last eight years.
Along with the four who were named to the first or second teams, senior linebacker Laiu Moeakiola and freshman wide receiver N’Keal Harry earned honorable mentions. Their recognition pulls ASU to six total post season honorees, which is the 37th-straight season in which ASU has earned at least five post season honors.
