(Photo: Scotty Bara/WCSN)
Despite a six-game losing streak to conclude the season, some good news rolled in on Tuesday for Arizona State football.
Six ASU players were named to All-Pac-12 teams, including Zane Gonzalez earning first team all-conference recognition.
Gonzalez is coming off of a historic season that saw him set the record for most made field goals over an NCAA career. His selection comes as no surprise, as he is up for the Lou Groza Award, given to the best kicker in the country.
He missed only two of the 25 field goals that he attempted this season and was 6/6 from 40-49 yards. He also made seven of nine field goals from more than 50 yards. Gonzalez came close to perfection on extra points as well, going 39-for-40.
Gonzalez’s special team counterpart, punter Matt Haack, as well as defensive end JoJo Wicker and linebacker Koron Crump were named to the Pac-12 second team.
Haack rounded out a strong career with the Sun Devils, sporting a net average of nearly 44 yards per punt.
He continued to establish himself as not only one of the best punters in the Pac-12, but one of the best in the NCAA as well.
Crump arguably had the biggest breakout of any player on ASU. The junior college transfer led the team with nine sacks and was third with 10.5 tackles for a loss. He also had three fumble recoveries.
It didn’t take long for him to work his way into a starting job, and he figures to be one of the key ingredients in a messy Sun Devil defense next season.
Wicker had a more quiet season than Crump, but was another consistent piece. He had only 2.5 sacks but was second on the team with 11 tackles for a loss. He also added 27 solo tackles.
A former top recruit, Wicker is another defensive player to watch for 2017, as his junior season could be a special one for him if gets closer to the potential that he came to Tempe with.
Freshman phenom wide receiver N’Keal Harry and linebacker Laiu Moeakiola were named as honorable mentions.
Based off of his strong first season, Harry should find himself in the thick of the race for all-conference honors once again next year.
Meanwhile, Moeakiola was an honorable mention for the second time in his career.
