Sun Devil Fans that have watched the 2022 NFL season may have noticed some familiar faces making an impact. Arizona State is heavily represented at the next level, with several #ProDevils enjoying a breakout game in week four. Highlights included Jack Jones' pick-six of Aaron Rodgers, Eno Benjamin running, catching, and kicking in a victory over the Panthers, and Rachaad White's first NFL touchdown. Below is a breakdown of the success of the Sun Devil Football program to this point in the 2022 NFL season.
NOTABLES
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals
Has done a little bit of everything for the Cardinals...Rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5 yards/carry...Accounted for 9 receptions for 69 yards out of the backfield...Added 151 kick return yards on six attempts, including a long of 44 yards...Made national headlines when he was pressed into duty to kick off in the Cardinals' 26-16 victory over the Panthers...Joined some elite company with his performance.
Jack Jones, New England Patriots
Made two appearances in his rookie season, wasting no time making an impact...Earned increased reps at the corner back position, making his NFL debut in the Patriots' 17-14 win over the Steelers in week two...Enjoyed a breakout game last week against the Packers, picking off quarterback Aaron Rodgers and returning it for a 40-yard touchdown...Jones is responsible for only the fourth pick six of Aaron Rodgers career...He also forced a fumble and recovered it, creating two turnovers...Added seven tackles and a pass deflection...Named Patriots Player of the Week for his week four performance.
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Beginning to emerge as a offensive weapon for the Buccaneers...Played in three of four games in 2022, serving as the back up running back and a kick returner...Made his NFL debut on a national stage, with the Bucs picking up a 19-3 win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football...Rushed for 14 yards on six carries while adding two receptions for seven yards in his first career game...Was a key contributor in the Sunday Night Football game against the Chiefs...Rushed for his first career touchdown, leaping in from one-yard out...Showed his versatility by hauling in five catches for 50 yards...Added 71 yards on three kick returns.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Continues his effective play as a starting wide receiver for the 49ers...Started all four games this season, hauling in 14 catches for 176 yards and touchdown...Has at least two receptions in every game, including a season-high five catches in week two against the Seahawks...Made three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos in week three...Nine of his 14 receptions have resulted in first downs.
Played in the first three games of the season for the Patriots, starting along the defensive line...Credited with at least one tackle in every game, highlighted by a four-tackle performance in the 17-14 week two win over the Steelers...Has played in 133 career games (83 starts), collecting 368 total tackles.
Matt Haack, Indianapolis Colts
Earned the starting punter job in the preseason and has proved why through four weeks...Has punted 14 times for a total of 627 yards, averaging 44.8 yards per kick...Eight of his punts have pinned the opponent inside the 20, while also avoiding a single touchback...Only four of his punts have attempted to be returned, netting a total of only 19 yards...Forced a fair catch on five of his punts, with his net average sitting at 43.4...Still has yet to miss a game in his NFL career.
D.J. Davidson, New York Giants
Appeared in all four games in his rookie season with the Giants, earning a spot in the defensive line rotation...Has at least one tackle in three of the four games, including a pair of tackles in his NFL debut, a 21-20 victory over the Titans...Helped the Giants to a 3-1 record to start the season, playing 36 snaps this season.
Darien Butler, Oakland Raiders
Undrafted rookie Darien Butler wasted no time proving he belongs at the next level, taking advantage of his opportunity with the Raiders...After a terrific preseason, he earned a spot on the opening day 53-man roster...In four preseason games, he collected 27 tackles, posting five or more tackles in each contest...Has yet to be activated for game day, but remains on the 53-man roster.
Chase Lucas, Detroit Lions
Seventh round draft pick Chase Lucas carved out a role for himself on the Lions, allowing him to make the initial 53-man roster...Showed a willingness to contribute in any facet of the game, serving on special teams in the preseason...Appeared in two of three preseason games, collecting three tackles and a pass deflection...Made his NFL debut in week two in the Lions' 36-27 victory over the Commanders.
INJURED RESERVED
The following four Sun Devils are still on NFL rosters, but are currently injured.
Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers
N'Keal Harry, Chicago Bears
Curtis Hodges, Washington Commanders
Tommy Hudson, Tennessee Titans
PRACTICE SQUAD
The following four Sun Devils practice with the team and can be called up to an active roster at any point during the season.
Quinn Bailey, Denver Broncos
Frank Darby, Atlanta Falcons
Kellen Diesch, Chicago Bears
Renell Wren, Pittsburgh Steelers
NOTABLES
- A total of 17 Sun Devils are on professional contracts, making an NFL roster in some capacity.
- Nine Sun Devils are on active, 53-man NFL rosters as we hit week four of the NFL season.
- An additional four Sun Devils are on NFL rosters, but are currently recovering from injuries and on the Reserve/Injured list.
- Another four Sun Devils are on a NFL Practice Squad, with the ability to be called up to an active roster at any point during the season.
- A Sun Devil is represented on 15 different NFL teams. The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears have two Sun Devils each.
- A Sun Devil plays at the NFL level at nearly every position on the football field, including punter and kicker. The most common positions that Arizona State has recently produced are wide receiver (3) and defensive line (3), with multiple Sun Devils suiting up at offensive line, running back, defensive back, and tight end.
- 11 players from the 2018 Sun Devil Football Roster are currently in the NFL.
- Seven players from the 2021 Sun Devil Football Roster are currently in the NFL.
Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals
Has done a little bit of everything for the Cardinals...Rushed for 111 yards on 22 carries, averaging 5 yards/carry...Accounted for 9 receptions for 69 yards out of the backfield...Added 151 kick return yards on six attempts, including a long of 44 yards...Made national headlines when he was pressed into duty to kick off in the Cardinals' 26-16 victory over the Panthers...Joined some elite company with his performance.
Cards RB Eno Benjamin had 2 kickoff returns & 2 kickoffs yesterday at Carolina.
— Mark Dalton (@CardsMarkD) October 3, 2022
Last NFL player with a kickoff and KOR in same game: Wes Welker for MIA at NE 10/10/04
Last Cardinal to do it: Clyde Williams 11/2/69 vs NO pic.twitter.com/ijAlYTJPxk
Jack Jones, New England Patriots
Made two appearances in his rookie season, wasting no time making an impact...Earned increased reps at the corner back position, making his NFL debut in the Patriots' 17-14 win over the Steelers in week two...Enjoyed a breakout game last week against the Packers, picking off quarterback Aaron Rodgers and returning it for a 40-yard touchdown...Jones is responsible for only the fourth pick six of Aaron Rodgers career...He also forced a fumble and recovered it, creating two turnovers...Added seven tackles and a pass deflection...Named Patriots Player of the Week for his week four performance.
Jack Jones swiping.
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 2, 2022
?? #NEvsGB on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/L04NubbOTR
Going to the ??@presidentjacc | #ForeverNE
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 2, 2022
?? #NEvsGB on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Dp5JAEMX7s
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Beginning to emerge as a offensive weapon for the Buccaneers...Played in three of four games in 2022, serving as the back up running back and a kick returner...Made his NFL debut on a national stage, with the Bucs picking up a 19-3 win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football...Rushed for 14 yards on six carries while adding two receptions for seven yards in his first career game...Was a key contributor in the Sunday Night Football game against the Chiefs...Rushed for his first career touchdown, leaping in from one-yard out...Showed his versatility by hauling in five catches for 50 yards...Added 71 yards on three kick returns.
First career TD for @chaad_3 ??
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 3, 2022
??: #KCvsTB on NBC pic.twitter.com/zKWRpv1UnL
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Continues his effective play as a starting wide receiver for the 49ers...Started all four games this season, hauling in 14 catches for 176 yards and touchdown...Has at least two receptions in every game, including a season-high five catches in week two against the Seahawks...Made three catches for 39 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos in week three...Nine of his 14 receptions have resulted in first downs.
Lawrence Guy, New England Patriots10 to 11 like clockwork. @THE2ERA
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 26, 2022
?? #SFvsDEN on @SNFonNBC
?? Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/1b1hPhxklj pic.twitter.com/LhCmxbZB0I
Played in the first three games of the season for the Patriots, starting along the defensive line...Credited with at least one tackle in every game, highlighted by a four-tackle performance in the 17-14 week two win over the Steelers...Has played in 133 career games (83 starts), collecting 368 total tackles.
Matt Haack, Indianapolis Colts
Earned the starting punter job in the preseason and has proved why through four weeks...Has punted 14 times for a total of 627 yards, averaging 44.8 yards per kick...Eight of his punts have pinned the opponent inside the 20, while also avoiding a single touchback...Only four of his punts have attempted to be returned, netting a total of only 19 yards...Forced a fair catch on five of his punts, with his net average sitting at 43.4...Still has yet to miss a game in his NFL career.
D.J. Davidson, New York Giants
Appeared in all four games in his rookie season with the Giants, earning a spot in the defensive line rotation...Has at least one tackle in three of the four games, including a pair of tackles in his NFL debut, a 21-20 victory over the Titans...Helped the Giants to a 3-1 record to start the season, playing 36 snaps this season.
Darien Butler, Oakland Raiders
Undrafted rookie Darien Butler wasted no time proving he belongs at the next level, taking advantage of his opportunity with the Raiders...After a terrific preseason, he earned a spot on the opening day 53-man roster...In four preseason games, he collected 27 tackles, posting five or more tackles in each contest...Has yet to be activated for game day, but remains on the 53-man roster.
Chase Lucas, Detroit Lions
Seventh round draft pick Chase Lucas carved out a role for himself on the Lions, allowing him to make the initial 53-man roster...Showed a willingness to contribute in any facet of the game, serving on special teams in the preseason...Appeared in two of three preseason games, collecting three tackles and a pass deflection...Made his NFL debut in week two in the Lions' 36-27 victory over the Commanders.
INJURED RESERVED
The following four Sun Devils are still on NFL rosters, but are currently injured.
Zane Gonzalez, Carolina Panthers
N'Keal Harry, Chicago Bears
Curtis Hodges, Washington Commanders
Tommy Hudson, Tennessee Titans
PRACTICE SQUAD
The following four Sun Devils practice with the team and can be called up to an active roster at any point during the season.
Quinn Bailey, Denver Broncos
Frank Darby, Atlanta Falcons
Kellen Diesch, Chicago Bears
Renell Wren, Pittsburgh Steelers