Nov. 16, 2012
In their years wearing the Maroon & Gold, this group has embodied what it truly means to live life the Sun Devil Way. They have not only been great ambassadors for the football program, but for the University as a whole.
On the field, this senior class combined for a total of 450 games, including 200 career starts. Defensively, they have collected more than 500 tackles, including nearly 40 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 10 interceptions, 31 pass break-ups, a blocked punt and a touchdown. On the offensive side, they have amassed nearly 3,000 rushing yards and 2,000 receiving yards, as well as more than 50 touchdowns.
This group also includes the Sun Devils’ No. 2 all-time rushing touchdown leader and one of just 10 players in the history of the program to record more than 2,500 rushing yards, as well as the school’s record holder for career kickoff return yards.
Off the field, 5 players have already earned their undergraduate degree, 2 will graduate this December, and 8 are on track to graduate in May or August. The remainder will graduate in the Fall of 2013. Many of these seniors spearheaded community service events across the Valley while earning numerous Academic All-Conference honors.
We congratulate these incredible individuals and thank them for being a part of the rich tradition of Sun Devil Athletics.
Brandon Johnson, a linebacker, began as a walk-on member of the Sun Devil squad before being awarded a scholarship in summer 2012. Born in Oakland, Calif., he is a sociology major with two older brothers who has played a vital role on special teams throughout his career. Last season, he had fumble recoveries in back to back games against Colorado and UCLA, and he has provided quality depth at linebacker in every game this season.
Charles Beatty, a.k.a. Beatty Baby to his friends, is a linebacker and a local Arizona product. He graduated from Mountain Pointe High School in 2007, where he was also spent time as a wrestler. He has seven older brothers, including William Beatty, a left tackle for the New York Giants. He originally attended Wagner College in New York, where he was named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He is a B.I.S. major with an emphasis on business and sociology. In his spare time, Beatty goes into the studio to sing and would be a pro singer if he weren’t playing football.
Brandon Magee, a linebacker and team captain, is the Sun Devils’ leading tackler as well as vocal leader of the team. Whether volunteering at Frank Elementary School, visiting Little League games or interning in the Sun Devil Media Relations Department, Brandon has made it a point to represent Sun Devil football across the valley. A Corona, Calif., native, his 9.22 tackles per game is second in the conference, and he tied his career high in tackles with 13 on Nov. 10 against USC and helped bring the Territorial Cup back to Tempe with a 13-tackle performance in 2010. He is an Education and Sociology major who has played in 41 games for the Sun Devils and cites his biggest fear as flying. He was also a member of the ASU baseball team, where he helped the team win consecutive Pac-10 titles and twice go to the College World Series. He signed a professional contract with the Boston Red Sox after bring drafted in the 23rd round in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Keelan Johnson, a safety and one of the captain’s of this year’s Sun Devil’s team, was born in Mesa and chose to come to ASU over Arizona and Nebraska. He ranks second on this year’s team with 66 tackles and recorded the first sack of his career in a 2011 game vs UCLA. He is a versatile player, having played both free safety and strong in his career, and he ranked in the top 10 in tackles for the 2011 season, including a seven-tackle performance in the Las Vegas Bowl vs. Boise State. Johnson is a Sociology/African Studies major who goes by the nickname “Mike Vick.”
Brice Schwab is an offensive lineman out of West Sunbury, Penn. Known as “King of Mill,” he has started every game this season for the Sun Devils at right tackle. A Sociology/Communications major, he originally attended Palomar Community College, where he was ranked as the No. 9 overall junior college prospect in the nation in 2009. He earned Hard Hat player recognition in his first season a Sun Devil in 2010 thanks to his work in ASU’s offseason strength and conditioning program.
Cameron Marshall is a team captain, running back and Exercise/Wellness major who graduated from Valley Christian High School in California. His 35 rushing touchdowns are the second most in ASU history, and he is one of only 10 players in school history to rush for more than 2,500 yards. He had two of the team’s six touchdowns against Utah on Sept. 22 (one rushing, one receiving), and has been a great role model for a number of the younger players on the team. His longest career run is 75 yards, and his career high in rushing yards came in a 2011 game against UCLA (168 yards). He was selected as an All Pac-10/12 Honorable mention in 2010 and 2011, and his favorite TV show is Breaking Bad. His sister, Dahlys, is a sprinter for the Arizona Wildcats.
Punter Josh Hubner, a Health and Nutrition major, is an Arizona native who came to ASU by way of Desert Mountain High School and Scottsdale Community College. Although he’s only played two seasons with the Devils, he’s put together one of the more successful punting careers in school history. He is currently second in the nation and first in the Pac-12 in yards per punt, and is on pace to break the school’s singe-season record for punting average. For his career, Hubner’s 43.8 yards per punt is third in school history. He has earned National Punter of the Week honors twice this season.
AJ Pickens, a wide receiver, started the first game of the season in the team’s win against the NAU Lumberjacks. Pickens, who is majoring in Sociology and Education, had multiple catches in the Las Vegas Bowl last season and has seen action in every game since the end of 2010. A regular in the weight room, he has earned Hard Hat recognition and has made a number of critical catches in his five seasons at ASU. He has two sisters and says his dream date would be with Beyoncé.
Cornerback Deveron Carr earned his degree in BIS Interdisciplinary Studies (Family and Justice Studies) in May of 2012 and currently has above a 4.0 in his graduate studies. Carr is a four-year letterman that has started every game the past two seasons. He led the team in pass breakups in 2011 and has been a constant in the defensive backfield this year. When he's not on the field, he enjoys spending time with his daughter and family.
Business and Communications major Corey Adams is an Arizona native from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale. The defensive tackle has played 29 games at ASU while battling injuries throughout his career. He collected a tackle in each of his first three games as a freshman and has been a role model in each of his four seasons in Tempe.
Kevin Ayers, a safety and junior college transfer from California, has made waves at safety on the Sun Devil field. A Business and Communications major, he has provided depth in both seasons in Tempe, and blocked the first punt in more than two years at Oregon State earlier this season. He has an older brother who plays for the NFL New York Giants and his dream date would be with Christina Milian.
When Toa Tuitea isn’t munching on cheese sticks at midnight, he’s a defensive tackle who won the Hard Hat player recognition for his work in the 2010 offseason. The History and Education major has helped the defense immensely during his time at Arizona State by making things difficult for opposing running backs and quarterbacks. He has appeared in nearly 40 games with a number of tackles for loss.
Though Kyle Johnson’s nickname is “babe”, it’s not because he’s tiny. The 6-foot-7, 289-pound offensive lineman has been a fearsome presence during his time at ASU. Johnson is a Communications and Sociology major who (when he’s not studying or playing football) loves to watch Duck Dynasty, play video games, and spend time with his dog. He has provided depth at the offensive line and been a mentor to younger players on the team.
Rashad Ross plans to live his future life the way he lives his current one: Like a champ. The Vallejo, Calif., native was recognized by ESPN in 2012 for having the fastest indoor 200-meter time for a track runner who also plays collegiate football. His speed has stood out at Arizona State--he was also just the fifth player in ASU history to record a 100-yard kickoff return (vs. Colorado on October 11, 2012).
Andrew “Grandpa” Sampson, a team captain who has already graduated, models his game after ASU alumnus Grey Ruegamer. The intimidating offensive lineman has excelled at run blocking and pass protection—though when he’s not playing he says his worst habit is that he falls asleep a lot. He’s getting his Masters is Business Management and can often been seen on campus riding his scooter.
Jamal Miles may be a wide receiver on paper, but his 1,789 return yards are the most in Sun Devil history. He models his game after Dolphins running back Reggie Bush and is one of the most versatile players to come through ASU in decades. The Sociology and Education was named to the Paul Hornug Watch List earlier this season.
James Morrison is set to graduate in December with a degree in Sociology and Justice Studies. The Phoenix native is a former walk-on who earned a scholarship for his hard work and great attitude. He has switched between defensive end and running back this season after spending the majority of his career a short-yardage back.