Sun Bowl presents a big opportunity for young Arizona State players
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
There is a natural tendency to focus on what Arizona State isn’t bringing to the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, given that 11 players have declared for the draft and 11 more have entered the transfer portal.
What the Sun Devils are going to put on the field against Duke on Wednesday, Dec. 31, looks almost completely different from what they kicked off with in September, and quite a bit changed from what they played against Arizona on Thanksgiving weekend.
Arizona State will have a new look
Offensively, they only have two players slated to start Wednesday — receiver Malik McClain and right guard Kyle Scott, who started the opener. They now have a different starting quarterback, new running backs and a largely new line.
What that means is that for a number of players, the Sun Bowl will mark the first big moment of their careers. As many as eight Sun Devils could make their first start, depending on what formation they come out in.
“We’re going to play on offense a ton of young guys,” offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyosaid. “There are going to be guys rolling in, rolling out, some of them we haven’t seen yet. We’re pushing guys out there who have opportunities, a chance.
“Some of the guys have been on the scout team the entire season, we’ll get to see them a lot. That’s the beauty of the postseason, you get 13, 14, 15 extra practices. In the coaching world, that’s a big deal, that’s practically a spring.”
Linebacker Martell Hughes, cornerback Joseph Smith, left tackle Jalen Klemm and right tackle Champ Westbrooks will make their first collegiate start and cornerback Nyland Green will make his first start as a Sun Devil.
Defensively, the line returns mostly intact from what Arizona State rolled out all season, but the secondary is almost entirely turning over.
Opportunity arrives for some Sun Devils
“We tell our guys, the one thing you control is that you can prepare for your opportunity, you can’t plan for it,” Arizona State defensive coordinator Brian Ward said. “And if you continue to prepare, when your opportunity comes, then you take advantage of it.
“We have several guys that are going to have an opportunity to show what they can do. When they get that opportunity in the Sun Bowl on the 31st, some of those guys, it’s the first time they can do it at this level.
“We’re excited about the challenge, we’re excited to see some of these guys we’re going to see playing for the first time.”
Cooper will be starting for the first time as a true freshman. He was Arizona State’s first defensive commitment in the Class of 2025.
“Joe has taken a lot of reps,” Ward said. “He understands the standard that has been set in that room. He understands the preparation that goes into it. He’s a young guy, but he’s been up with us since the middle of the season from the scout team because we felt like we were an injury or two away from having to play him.
“We’ve had time to get him ready.”
ASU quarterback Jeff Sims has big chance
Another player who has had plenty of time to prep for his Sun Bowl role is quarterback Jeff Sims. The sixth-year player is at his third school (he came to Arizona State last year from Nebraska) and took over as a starter for the last five games after Sam Leavitt was injured.
“Jeff is a great story,” Arroyo said. “He’s a guy who’s been through, been through it all, a traveled guy for five years of college football, multiple stops. He’s had a ton of football background, but it has not been consistent up until now. This is the first time in his career with the same coordinator in five years.
“He had an opportunity halfway through the season when we got injured and he did a great job down the stretch for a backup guy. Sometimes it’s not as pretty as we all want it, but nobody’s competing harder for us.
“Nobody’s been a better team guy in the locker room. Nobody’s come out to work every day with a great attitude more than Jeff Sims. So he’s got an opportunity to really put a stamp on his career here in El Paso this weekend.”
That’s true for a number of Sun Devils with a big chance to make a name.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on X.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Arizona State to have a different look for Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos