(Photo: Courtney Pedroza/WCSN)
If there is one aspect of this 2014 Sun Devil football team that is constant, it is that nothing is ever constant.
Two days away from a nationally televised showdown against UCLA—a matchup that has decided the last three Pac-12 South champions— and change is still afoot for the Sun Devil defense.
Viliami Latu at “Tiger”
Tuesday’s practice at Sun Devil Stadium featured sophomore Viliami Latu earning first team reps at the “Tiger” position on the defensive line. Latu replaced freshman Tashon Smallwood, who has not registered a tackle in three starts, and Demetrius Cherry, who practiced with the first team last Thursday.
But despite Latu gaining the first team reps at practice, Graham would not commit to a starter come Thursday.
“Ami (Latu) and (Tashon) Smallwood, I don’t know who will be listed the starter,” Graham said. “It’s whoever (defensive line) Coach Shipp wants to list there, but both those guys are basically starters.”
The struggles of Smallwood have come as a surprise to many, as he received the highest of praise when he was issued number 90, due to his similar style of play to former Sun Devil Will Sutton, and when Graham called his fall camp, “The best ever from a freshman.” Cherry has never drawn such esteemed comments, but his status as a redshirt junior provides the Sun Devils with a veteran presence that would presumably be enough to earn him the backup role.
But Latu has outperformed both Smallwood and Cherry. And, weighing 15 pounds less than Smallwood and 40 pounds less than Cherry, he is perhaps a more optimal fit for the Sun Devils highly versatile defensive scheme.
Latu was not afraid to voice a similar sentiment.
“I bring speed,” he said. “Especially to the inside of the defensive line at three-technique.”
Other Defensive Tinkering to Note
With the full health of Laiu Moeakiola still in question, Christian Sam figures to see significant minutes at the SPUR linebacker position on Thursday.
“I think Laiu is going to play,” Graham said. “I don’t know if he’ll play the entire game, but he’s going to play.”
Translation: It will be a game time decision as to who will start, but expect it to be a platoon system that features both Sam and Moeakiola in favorable matchups.
Another new face to the starting Sun Devil defense come Thursday will be that of junior cornerback Kweishi Brown. Graham has incessantly applauded his physicality, but nevertheless has shied away from rewarding Brown with a starting nod because the nuances of playing boundary cornerback had eluded him.
With that expected to change on Thursday, Brown has not failed to voice his excitement for the opportunity to start and his confidence that his style of play profiles well against UCLA.
“UCLA has big receivers like we have Jaelen Strong. They have receivers just like him,” Brown said. “I did my research on those receivers. It’s a great opportunity for me to start this game because I like going against big receivers. They don’t know what’s coming. I just have something to prove, and only Thursday will tell.”
First-Team Defense
Defensive Line: Marcus Hardison (End), Jaxon Hood (Nose Tackle), Viliami Latu (Tiger)
Linebackers: Laiu Moeakiola/Christian Sam (SPUR), Salamo Fiso (SAM), DJ Calhoun (WILL), De’Marieya Nelson (Devilbacker)
Cornerbacks: Kweishi Brown (Boundary), Lloyd Carrington (Field)
Safeties: Jordan Simone (Bandit), Damarious Randall (Field)
Practice Notes
- Brown attributes his surge to first team boundary cornerback to his newfound confidence.
- Defensive lineman Corey Smith was off crutches and working on a stationary bike.
- Quarterback Taylor Kelly remained on crutches and in a walking boot and did the same resistance bands workout as yesterday.
- One hundred percent ball security from Mike Bercovici remains Graham’s biggest focal point.
- Graham expressed the utmost happiness when asked about his thoughts on former Sun Devil running back Marion Grice being signed by the Cardinals.
- “I think Marion being in the Cardinals system is really going to be a great fit for him,” Graham said. “There is not a guy that I’ve coached who I think more of than Marion Grice.”
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