ESPN.com: ASU’s linebackers are in great shape

Last season, one of Arizona State’s biggest issues was allowing the opposing team to change the momentum with huge plays.

The Sun Devils gave up 72 plays of 20-plus yards last season, tied with Colorado for the worst in the Pac-12 and 111th nationally.

The guys looking to put a stop to that next year are a core group of linebackers Chantel Jennings at ESPN says is in great shape. The Pac-12 blog on ESPN is categorizing a position group each day, and Thursday, it was the linebackers’ turn. Teams are listed as in “Great shape,” “Good shape” or “We’ll see.”

Here’s what Jennings had to say about ASU:

“Arizona State: At inside linebacker alone, Arizona State is boasting a wealth of talent. Between Antonio Longino, Salamo Fiso, Christian Sam and DJ Calhoun, defensive coordinator Keith Patterson said he has “four guys that I feel like I can put on the field at any time and don’t feel like there’s going to be a drop-off at all.” Outside of those four, Davon Durant is officially out of the picture, but spur linebacker Viliami “Laiu” Moeakiola, who Todd Graham said might have the highest defensive IQ of any player he has ever coached, could be the most important piece to this puzzle. This group is deep and talented. Expect Graham and Patterson to lean on their linebackers majorly.”

As noted, even with Durant off the team, this group brings experience and depth to the squad.

Longino, Fiso and Moeakiola were third, fourth and fifth in tackles on last season’s team. Fiso, also second on the team in tackles for a loss, added an interception for 14 yards against Washington State.

Calhoun and Sam added 35 and 16, tackles respectively with one interception for Sam against Colorado.