Herm Edwards wants ASU RB Eno Benjamin to do more receiving

ASU football lost wide receiver N’Keal Harry to the NFL Draft and the New England Patriots.

Head coach Herm Edwards hopes a different star can help replace him as a receiving threat this year.

Running back Eno Benjamin enters his junior year as a known commodity nationally. He rushed for the fifth-most yards in the NCAA last year, was named to the All-Pac-12 First Team in December and then part of the Walter Camp Player of Year Watch List in July.

With 35 catches in 2018, Benjamin had the third-most on the team, behind Harry and Kyle Williams. Edwards sees his role as a pass-catcher expanding this season.

“He had 35 catches last year. I really talked to him about catching the ball even more,” Edwards said to Stadium. “When you have a running back of his caliber, you’re going to get a lot of eight-man box. How do you get him free? We would like to get him in space with some linebackers one-on-one catching the football.”

Benjamin serving as a receiving threat could help the Sun Devils in a few different aspects.

Without Harry, they lose the premier receiver who was a threat regardless of how tightly he was covered. Benjamin would help move the chains if wide receivers like Williams, Brandon Aiyuk and Frank Darby are unable to replace the production of the former ASU star.

There’s also the matter of new quarterback Jayden Daniels. If the defense hesitate to load up the box against potential run situations, the dual-threat quarterback could have more space to scramble and gain yards.

And of course, Benjamin touching the ball more is never a bad thing for the Sun Devils.

He can extend plays and gain extra yardage as well as anyone in the nation.

“He’s good after contact. He’s a good contact runner, he breaks a lot of tackles with his ability to keep his balance,” Edwards said to Stadium. “Has great vision and eyes obviously. One of those guys you can use in numerous roles.”

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