Junior Onyeali Season 2011

A conversation with ASU's Junior Onyeali (azcentral.com/Feb. 9, 2011)

ASU's Junior Onyeali named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Week (The Arizona Republic/Nov. 1, 2010)

ASU freshman defensive end Junior Onyeali boosts pass rush (Arizona Republic/Oct. 12, 2010)

Arizona State: Outstanding all-around athlete with size, strength and speed...Effective in run support, as well as pressuring the quarterback...ASU's top defensive high school signee for the 2010 class...Tremendously powerful, explosive and fast...Is very difficult to block as an edge rusher...Has the ability to overpower and outrun offensive linemen...

2012: Scored his first career touchdown on a fumble recovery against Oregon State (11/4)...Had 17 tackles on the season, 8.0 coming for a loss...Posted 6.0 sacks for 31 yards, ranking fourth on the team in the category...Two of those sacks came against Cal (9/29)...In 2011, registered 11 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack and three tackles for loss all came vs California schools (UC Davis, UCLA)...Registered a season-high four tackles vs Pac-12 foe Cal...Missed chunk of 2011-12 season to injury...Was the Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2010 and named to the Rivals Freshman All-America squad...

2011: A powerful, physically mature youngster who appeared in eight games, starting seven...Missed a chunk of games mid-season with a meniscus tear...Registered 11 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack...Relentless pass rusher who frequently overpowers opposing tackles...Three tackles for loss all came vs California schools (UC Davis, UCLA)...Registered a season-high four tackles vs Pac-12 foe Cal...

2010: Second ASU player in as many seasons to be named the Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year...Also named Rivals 2010 Freshman All-American squad...Led the Sun Devils and all Pac-10 freshmen with 10.5 sacks for a loss of 67 yards...Of his 18 stops this season, 11.5 were for loss...Played in every game this season...Started five straight in mid-season beginning with Washington Huskies...First career sack Oct. 23 vs Cal...In third career start earned Pac-10 player of the week honors for his four tackle (all solo and all for a loss) three sack and two forced fumbles in 42-0 win vs Washington State...First ASU true freshman to earn such the honor since Anthony Parker did so in 1984...Dropped UCLA quarterback Richard Brehaurt early in the fourth quarter for minus 12 yards...Had one of two sacks vs rival Arizona to help secure Territoral Cup win for ASU...

High School: A 2010 graduate of Mullen High School in Denver, Colo...Earned Second-Team All-America honors by MaxPreps.com...Regarded as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com...Rated the No. 48 overall prospect in the Midlands region in the preseason...Was named the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year in the state of Colorado and earned All-Colorado and All-Class 5A honors by the Denver Post...Ranked as the No. 18 strong side defensive end in the nation and the No. 3 overall prospect in the state of Colorado by Rivals.com...Listed as the No. 56 defensive end recruit in the country by Scout.com...Totaled 16 quarterback sacks and approximately 90 tackles as a senior in 2009...Helped lead Mullen to an undefeated season and the Colorado Class 5A state championship...Recorded over 100 tackles and 19 sacks as a junior in 2008...Verbally committed to the Sun Devils on Dec. 30, 2009...Chose ASU over TCU, Minnesota and Syracuse...Coached by Dave Logan at Mullen High School...

Personal: Exploratory major...Full name is Nduka Onyeali....First name means "Life's more important than money."...