Top JUCO edge rusher Joshua Shanklin commits to ASU football for 2025

Arizona State football landed the commitment of top-rated junior college pass rusher Joshua Shanklin, he announced Thursday.

Shanklin had taken official visits to ASU, Missouri, West Virginia, Ole Miss and UCLA before deciding on the Sun Devils.

The defender out of Foothill College in Los Altos, California, heads to ASU as the No. 1 rated JUCO pass rusher nationally and a top-five JUCO player at any position, according to 247 Sports.

In his final season at Foothill College, the 6-foot-4, 220-pounder registered 14.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles across 11 games played.

Shanklin told Rivals a connection with Arizona State assistant defensive line coach Vince Amey laid the foundation for his choice.

“Amey has been recruiting me and is really professional, I would say. He was thorough and kept it real with me through the process,” Shanklin said. “He told me how I could be an impact player with my speed and how he can develop me to maximize my potential. I like the fact that their defense is mainly based around the D-line and how they would use me, scheming for whatever packages they have.”

Previous time spent as a receiver in high school gives him a unique skill set at the position, he added.

Could Joshua Shanklin play this fall for Arizona State football?

The tools are tantalizing for the JUCO standout, but it’s more likely his impact will be felt in the long term rather than short.

All four from last year’s EDGE rotation return, including Elijah O’Neal, who benefits from the latest NCAA JUCO ruling that Shanklin will also feel the effects of.

O’Neal (4.0 sacks), Clayton Smith (team-lead 4.5), Prince Dorbah (3.0) and Justin Wodtly (0.5) combined for 12 of the team’s 24 sacks in 2024, and they like their chances to be even more productive in 2025.

Shanklin will have more opportunities open up soon, as it’s expected to be the final year for each.

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