Arizona State football could have most NFL draft picks in a decade

Arizona State soccer coach Herm Edwards has seen the NFL draft from all sides. He did not get drafted however went on to have a stellar taking part in profession within the NFL. He was a head coach within the NFL and labored within the media earlier than assuming head teaching duties with the Solar Devils in 2018.

So he is aware of the ins and outs of the draft course of from each angle. That may come in useful as practically a dozen gamers from ASU may discover themselves in NFL coaching camp come the autumn.

The draft will start on Thursday (first spherical), proceed Friday (second and third) and run by means of Saturday (fourth by means of seventh rounds) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Edwards stated he has been fielding calls about most of the gamers who contributed to final season’s 8-5 displaying. Eight ASU gamers had been invited to the NFL mix in Indianapolis final month, a superb indicator that this ought to be the the largest contingent of Solar Devils drafted within the final decade.

ASU has had 254 gamers drafted, together with no less than one in every of the final eight years. 

“I believe we’ve 10 guys which are going to finish up in a coaching camp, both drafted or as a free agent,” Edwards stated. “It is thrilling as a result of that is what these younger males have been dreaming about since they began taking part in the game. And that is what we’ve tried to do right here, put together them for that chance.”

ASU had the most important contingent of gamers on the mix amongst Pac-12 colleges. Solar Devils representatives included offensive linemen Kellen Diesh, Dohnovan West, cornerbacks Jack Jones and Chase Lucas, operating again Rachaad White, linebacker Darien Butler, nostril deal with D.J. Davidson and tight finish Curtis Hodges.

The one obvious omission was defensive finish Tyler Johnson, truly ASU’s lone All-Pac 12 first workforce choice within the balloting of coaches.

The gamers talked about the best relating to draft projections are Diesch and White, who’re pegged for the fourth spherical by many consultants. White put up stellar numbers in his two seasons with the Solar Devils together with his skill to issue within the passing sport additionally in his favor.

However no participant on ASU has had his inventory rise quicker then the 6-foot-7, 300-pound Diesch, who got here to ASU two years in the past from Texas A&M the place he was a backup and has emerged as a coveted prospect.

Diesch, who began at left deal with, ran a 4.89 within the 40-yard sprint on the mix which in accordance with NFL analysis was the second-fastest time by a participant measuring taller than 6-7 and 300-plus kilos at any mix since 2003.

“He is a superb athlete, gentle on his ft, agile,” Edwards stated of Diesch. “He is lengthy and 6-7. That measurement is one thing you possibly can’t coach. He suits the DNA you are searching for a in a man at that place.”

West and Lucas have additionally been talked about in a number of projections. West began as a real freshman at guard in in 2019 and moved to middle the previous season, with that versatility one thing Edwards stated will go a good distance in touchdown him on an NFL roster.

Lucas, an area out of Chandler Excessive Faculty, began 49 video games in his ASU profession, one fewer than the all-time chief Dexter Davis and served because the vocal chief of the protection the previous few years.

With regards to the opposite Solar Devils, intangibles come into play. With Jones, it could possibly be some well-documented off the sector points he had earlier than arriving at ASU. He appears to have made the a lot of the second likelihood given to him by Edwards and former defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce, with Pierce having been Jones’ highschool coach.

Edwards says relating to such points, he is sincere with potential suitors.

“You inform them precisely the place that participant is, how far he has come, the place he may want some assist,” Edwards stated. “I have been within the room (when head coach of the Jets) and we had been occupied with drafting a man and we might name gamers on our workforce, guys we knew that had been properly revered by their friends and stated, `Hey what do you assume if we draft this man.’ You soak up all the data and make the most effective choice on your soccer workforce.”

With regards to others, there is perhaps an intangible they don’t have any management over such as measurement. That is one other factor that would additionally work towards Jones, who’s barely small for a nook at 5-10 and 175 kilos.

Measurement can also be probably the largest issue within the 5-10 Butler not being extra extremely regarded, though it is one thing he has dealt together with his whole athletic profession. The Southern California native was not a much-coveted prospect out of highschool, however emerged as a four-year starter with the Solar Devils. He had a stellar senior season after trimming down and placing on some muscle through the offseason and was thought of the center and soul of the protection.

Measurement is one thing working within the favor of Hodges, who at 6-7 is an imposing determine for a good finish however the Mesa Mountain View product battled accidents in his ASU tenure, an element working towards him.

Edwards says its a matter of gamers discovering the fitting match.

“You are searching for the fitting participant for what you do and it is not the identical for each workforce,” Edwards stated. “But it surely solely takes one workforce to actually like what you do and see you as a superb match for them. I am excited to see the place our gamers are going to finish up.”

Attain the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@gannett.com or 602 444-4783.  Comply with her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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