(Photo: Sun Devil Athletics)
“Mark my words, I hope all y’all listen to this. Renell Wren is about to have a great rest of the season.”
Redshirt freshman defensive back Chase Lucas isn’t shy about hyping up his teammates, even if it might border on hyperbolic. In Wren’s case, however, Lucas’s praise is well earned.
Wren was a force last Saturday in ASU’s 13-7 upset victory over Washington, utilizing his 6-foot-5, 295-pound frame to create havoc in the Huskies’ backfield. It was the first opportunity of the season for Wren to play first team snaps, and he delivered, notching three tackles including half a sack.
“It’s a blessing,” Wren said. “Coach (Michael) Slater been on my head every day, and I appreciate him. I appreciate the coaches just giving me an opportunity.”
Earning this opportunity has been a challenge for Wren. He’s dealt with injuries in previous seasons and is still learning Phil Bennett’s system. With the advice of teammates like Tashon Smallwood and motivation from his coaches, Wren is beginning to find a permanent role in the Sun Devil defense.
Bennett and Todd Graham see Wren’s potential — it’s hard not to when the chiseled defensive lineman walks in the door — but they want to hear his leadership as well. For a physically imposing guy, Wren is relatively quiet and doesn’t show much emotion. He said he prefers leading by example.
“Don’t be more talk the talk, be more walk the walk,” Wren said. “Don’t tell them I’m gonna do this or…blasé blasé, just show them.”
Wren showed Jake Browning what he was capable of and the Sun Devils hope for more of the same against Utah. With A.J. Latu’s status in question, it’ll be on Wren, Tashon Smallwood and the rest of the defensive line to keep playing at a high level.
Smallwood takes it upon himself to be a vocal leader in the front seven. He’s constantly providing advice to Wren and others about how to improve their technique, execute plays and realize their individual potential.
Wren and Smallwood have been helping each other out since they first arrived in Tempe in 2014. They came up together.
“Renell is somebody who always looks to get better and find ways to be the best player he can be,” Smallwood said. “Knowing how he is and knowing his expectations of where he wants to go, I take it upon myself to hold him accountable for the things he wants to accomplish.”
Now that he’s worked his way onto the first team, Wren has an opportunity to meet and exceed expectations. He has the ideal frame to become a dominant defensive lineman at this level and the next.
From his perspective, it’s going to be all about shutting out the noise and absorbing everything he can from coaches and teammates along the way. Wren admits it was frustrating for him to wait this long to contribute, but he’s ready to build off what he started against Washington.
“Once I walk in the football facility, I take everything out of my head — the stress from school and everything — and dominate. That’s what I’ve got to do,” Wren said. “Not just in football but in life, it’s a dog eat dog world. You gotta get it how you live.”
