by Marcos Salas, Walter Cronkite School/Sun Devil Football
The 2020 football season for the Arizona State Sun Devils was one that will always be remembered. From battling COVID protocols and daily testing to the season hiatus, the 2020 season will be one that will go down as one of the craziest seasons in Sun Devil history.
In Coach Herm Edwards' third season, the Sun Devils finished 2-2, with wins at Arizona and Oregon State. With high expectations to compete for a Pac-12 title and book a trip to the Rose Bowl, the Sun Devils look forward to the 2021 season.
The offense will look to build upon a successful year under second year offensive coordinator Zak Hill. In four games under Hill, ASU averaged 40.3 points per game with 450 yards of total offense. The offense was on full display in the 70-7 win over Arizona, the most points scored in Territorial Cup history and second most in program history. With ten starters back on offense, expect big things in year two of the Zak Hill offense.
Coming into the season, the Sun Devils had a hole at running back due to the NFL draft pick pick Eno Benjamin (Cardinals), but that hole was filled with a dual attack led by incomers Chip Trayanum and Rachaad White. The two put up over 700 yards and nine touchdowns.
With high expectations for next season, Trayanum looks forward to living up to those expectations.
"We want to be better than last year. We set high goals for ourselves and compete with each other every day. It's a good thing to help us get better," said Trayanum, who, along with White, makes up a loaded running back room consisting of former four-star prospect Daniel Ngata and overnight sensation Jackson He, the first Chinese born player in the FBS.
The running game was anchored by an offensive line that drastically improved in one season Anchoring that offensive line was sophomore guard Dohnovan West, who was recognized as one of the top guards in the Pac-12.
While the running game was a big factor, the passing game looks to develop with Jayden Daniels entering year three in the program. With former wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk drafted in the first round by the 49ers in this past year and Frank Darby departing for this year's draft, the receivers room looks to step up in a big way. Junior Ricky Pearsall -- from nearby Corona Del Sol High School -- and redshirt freshman Andre Johnson look to lead a room full of game-changers. With ten returners on offense, expect big things for Hill's passing attack.
While the offense adjusted to a new coordinator, the defense looked to adjust as well under co-defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis and Antonio Pierce. It didn't take long as the defense forced 13 turnovers and nine sacks. Under new defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez the defensive line exploded with ten sacks. Leading the way was redshirt junior DE Tyler Johnson -- another local prospect -- with five sacks. Johnson was one of many Sun Devils who earned a spot on the conference's All-Pac-12 team. The defense will return 11 starters after seniors Evan Fields, Jack Jones and Chase Lucas announced they would come back after the NCAA granted an extra year to all fall athletes.
ASU had ten Sun Devils make the all-conference team. Sophomore offensive lineman Dohnovan West and junior punter Michael Turk were listed as first team all-conference, with Turk earning his second-consecutive nod. On the second team all-conference list were Arizona natives Chase Lucas and Johnson while true freshman D.J. Taylor earned a second team nod for his performance on special teams as a return specialist. Five other Sun Devils earned honorable mention nods for their season performance; junior defensive end Jermayne Lole, junior linebacker Kyle Soelle, senior Evan Fields, senior Kellen Diesch and White all earned honorable mention nods.
After securing the Pac-12's fourth best class in 2020, many of those freshmen saw the field early, continuing the trend since Edwards' first season. Over ten freshmen from the 2020 class saw action, including second team All-Pac-12 return specialist D.J. Taylor and honorable mention all- Pac-12 RB Chip Trayanum. Included in this class were four of the top wide receiver's, Johnny Wilson, L.V. Bunkley-Shelton, Elijah Badger, and Chad Johnson Jr., who look to develop and contribute next season. The Sun Devils were able to continue the Cali Devil pipeline as they signed 11 of the top 100 players in California.
Next season, the Sun Devils are working to step into the lights and compete for the Pac-12 title. With expected big matchups at home versus Arizona, Colorado, UNLV and USC, ASU will be ready to compete. After outscoring their opponents 116-40 and forcing nine turnovers in its last two games, ASU is hoping to build off those results and show they can compete for the Pac-12 title.
Defensive end Michael Matus is ready to see the team live up to those expectations. "Last season towards the end we really showed what kind of team we were. I expect us to come out hot and heavy and pick up where we left off."
The 2020 football season for the Arizona State Sun Devils was one that will always be remembered. From battling COVID protocols and daily testing to the season hiatus, the 2020 season will be one that will go down as one of the craziest seasons in Sun Devil history.
In Coach Herm Edwards' third season, the Sun Devils finished 2-2, with wins at Arizona and Oregon State. With high expectations to compete for a Pac-12 title and book a trip to the Rose Bowl, the Sun Devils look forward to the 2021 season.
Primed.
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) February 1, 2021
Ascending.
Committed. pic.twitter.com/50zjAk9mpx
The offense will look to build upon a successful year under second year offensive coordinator Zak Hill. In four games under Hill, ASU averaged 40.3 points per game with 450 yards of total offense. The offense was on full display in the 70-7 win over Arizona, the most points scored in Territorial Cup history and second most in program history. With ten starters back on offense, expect big things in year two of the Zak Hill offense.
Coming into the season, the Sun Devils had a hole at running back due to the NFL draft pick pick Eno Benjamin (Cardinals), but that hole was filled with a dual attack led by incomers Chip Trayanum and Rachaad White. The two put up over 700 yards and nine touchdowns.
With high expectations for next season, Trayanum looks forward to living up to those expectations.
"We want to be better than last year. We set high goals for ourselves and compete with each other every day. It's a good thing to help us get better," said Trayanum, who, along with White, makes up a loaded running back room consisting of former four-star prospect Daniel Ngata and overnight sensation Jackson He, the first Chinese born player in the FBS.
The running game was anchored by an offensive line that drastically improved in one season Anchoring that offensive line was sophomore guard Dohnovan West, who was recognized as one of the top guards in the Pac-12.
the best of the west ?? pic.twitter.com/VIsHYuKXfc
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) December 22, 2020
While the running game was a big factor, the passing game looks to develop with Jayden Daniels entering year three in the program. With former wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk drafted in the first round by the 49ers in this past year and Frank Darby departing for this year's draft, the receivers room looks to step up in a big way. Junior Ricky Pearsall -- from nearby Corona Del Sol High School -- and redshirt freshman Andre Johnson look to lead a room full of game-changers. With ten returners on offense, expect big things for Hill's passing attack.
While the offense adjusted to a new coordinator, the defense looked to adjust as well under co-defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis and Antonio Pierce. It didn't take long as the defense forced 13 turnovers and nine sacks. Under new defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez the defensive line exploded with ten sacks. Leading the way was redshirt junior DE Tyler Johnson -- another local prospect -- with five sacks. Johnson was one of many Sun Devils who earned a spot on the conference's All-Pac-12 team. The defense will return 11 starters after seniors Evan Fields, Jack Jones and Chase Lucas announced they would come back after the NCAA granted an extra year to all fall athletes.
Locked in ????
— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) January 20, 2021
Antonio Pierce has been elevated to sole Defensive Coordinator and Marvin Lewis will stay on as Special Assistant to the Head Coach.
?? » https://t.co/hBkyWYI4ja pic.twitter.com/XvHqhGQEZN
ASU had ten Sun Devils make the all-conference team. Sophomore offensive lineman Dohnovan West and junior punter Michael Turk were listed as first team all-conference, with Turk earning his second-consecutive nod. On the second team all-conference list were Arizona natives Chase Lucas and Johnson while true freshman D.J. Taylor earned a second team nod for his performance on special teams as a return specialist. Five other Sun Devils earned honorable mention nods for their season performance; junior defensive end Jermayne Lole, junior linebacker Kyle Soelle, senior Evan Fields, senior Kellen Diesch and White all earned honorable mention nods.
Chase Lucas should be one of the top returning CBs in 2021. No doubt he should be in the conversation for the Thorpe Award. He has a chance to be up there with ASU greats like Philippi Sparks, Eric Allen, Craig Newsome and Darren Woodson. ??
— Juan Roque (@JRoq74) December 28, 2020
After securing the Pac-12's fourth best class in 2020, many of those freshmen saw the field early, continuing the trend since Edwards' first season. Over ten freshmen from the 2020 class saw action, including second team All-Pac-12 return specialist D.J. Taylor and honorable mention all- Pac-12 RB Chip Trayanum. Included in this class were four of the top wide receiver's, Johnny Wilson, L.V. Bunkley-Shelton, Elijah Badger, and Chad Johnson Jr., who look to develop and contribute next season. The Sun Devils were able to continue the Cali Devil pipeline as they signed 11 of the top 100 players in California.
Next season, the Sun Devils are working to step into the lights and compete for the Pac-12 title. With expected big matchups at home versus Arizona, Colorado, UNLV and USC, ASU will be ready to compete. After outscoring their opponents 116-40 and forcing nine turnovers in its last two games, ASU is hoping to build off those results and show they can compete for the Pac-12 title.
Defensive end Michael Matus is ready to see the team live up to those expectations. "Last season towards the end we really showed what kind of team we were. I expect us to come out hot and heavy and pick up where we left off."