ASU Sun Devils Football: Analyzing the Depth Chart for the Upcoming Season

Arizona State fans are eager to see the Sun Devils back on the field. The team's loss to Texas in the College Football Playoff is in the past. The wait is nearly over, as ASU football is hosting Northern Arizona in Week 1 of the college football season at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe.

The team gave a hint at the possible player roster rotation with the release of its depth chart for the game against the Lumberjacks. Here's a breakdown of how the Arizona State football roster stacks up.

Offense

There is little drama on the offensive side of the ball. Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson remain firmly entrenched as starting players in their second season with the program, while the offensive line remains structured as expected despite Ben Coleman playing guard in some portions of practice recently. ASU posted its official Week 1 depth chart overnight.

Quarterback

10 Sam Leavitt* 6-2 205 R-So. 1L
2 Jeff Sims 6-4 220 R-Sr. 1L
19 Christian Hunt 6-6 220 R-So. RS

Running Back

The Sun Devils are trying to replace Cam Skattebo.

1 Kyson Brown 6-1 205 Jr. 2L
6 Kanye Udoh 6-1 220 Jr. TR
3 Raleek Brown 5-9 195 R-Jr. 1L
23 Demarius Robinson 5-9 180 Fr. HS
22 Jason Brown 5-9 185 R-Fr. RS

Alabama transfer Jaren Hamilton earns a spot in the starting unit, while Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown have seemingly separated themselves from Army transfer Kanye Udoh.

Wide Receiver

Listed as starters at wideout are senior Malik McClain, Alabama transfer Jaren Hamilton and Fresno State transfer Jalen Moss.

0 Jordyn Tyson* 6-2 200 R-Jr. 2L
89 Harry Hassmann 6-1 195 Fr. HS
12 Malik McClain 6-5 205 R-Sr. 1L
5 Noble Johnson 6-3 205 R-So. TR
18 Jalen Moss 6-1 185 R-Jr. TR
83 Derek Eusebio 5-9 185 R-So. 1L
16 Jaren Hamilton 6-0 210 R-So. TR
84 Cory Butler Jr. 5-9 185 Fr. Fr.

Tight End

At tight end, Chamon Metayer is the No. 1 option with Khamari Anderson and Cameron Harpole listed as “ORs” at the other starter slot. Chamon Metayer is an unquestioned starting player at tight end once again, but Khamari Anderson and Cameron Harpole are currently interchangeable for the other TE spot.

7 Chamon Metayer 6-4 255 R-Sr. 1L
14 AJ Ia 6-6 220 Fr. HS
15 Khamari Anderson 6-5 255 Jr. TR OR
9 Cameron Harpole 6-3 250 R-Sr. 1L

Offensive Line

Left tackle: 53 Josh Atkins* 6-4 310 R-Sr. 1L, 70 Jalen Klemm 6-6 295 R-Jr. RS, 60 Xander Ruggeroli 6-6 300 R-Fr. TR
Left guard: 55 Jimeto Obigbo 6-4 325 R-Sr. TR, 64 Wade Helton 6-4 315 R-Fr. TR, 54 Joey Su’a 6-5 320 R-So. 1L
Center: 62 Ben Coleman* 6-3 320 Gr. 1L, 64 Wade Helton 6-4 315 R-Fr. TR, 71 Makua Pule 6-3 305 R-So. 2L
Right guard: 77 Kyle Scott 6-5 330 R-Sr 2L, 73 Terrell Kim 6-3 330 R-Fr. 1L, 74 Sean Na’a 6-3 305 R-So. 2L
Right tackle: 58 Max Iheanachor 6-6 330 R-Sr. 2L, 76 Champ Westbrooks 6-5 295 R-Fr. RS

Defense

As far as the defense is concerned, there is somehow more intrigue as to where placements were made for the unit compared to offense - despite Brian Ward's group returning 10 starting players. Arizona State defensive coordinator Brian Ward runs a drill for his secondary during the first day of fall practice in Tempe, Ariz.

The Sun Devils’ initial depth chart for the season lists 13 defensive positions, with a five-man defensive front of two tackles, two ends and a Sparky position.

Defensive Line

Defensive end: 32 Prince Dorbah 6-2 245 R-Sr. 2L, 13 Roman Pitre 6-5 255 R-Jr. 1L
Defensive tackle: 99 C.J. Fite* 6-2 305 Jr. 2L, 55 Ramar Williams 6-3 275 R-Fr. RS, 92 Zac Swanson 6-5 295 R-Jr. 1L
Defensive tackle: 98 Jacob Rich Kongaika* 6-2 290 Sr. 1L, 97 Blazen Lono-Wong 6-4 290 R-Jr. 3L, 96 Anthonie Cooper 6-2 260 Gr. 5L, 88 Daeshon Morgan 6-3 275 Fr. HS
Defensive end: 10 Clayton Smith* 6-4 255 R-Sr. 2L, 3 Albert Smith III 6-1 225 R-Fr. 1L
Sparky: 95 Justin Wodtly 6-2 260 R-Sr. 1L OR 9 Elijah O’Neal 6-4 260 R-Sr. 2L

Seniors Prince Dorbah and Clayton Smith are officially starting players on the EDGE, while C.J. Fite and Jacob Rich Kongaika are starting at defensive tackle. Zac Swanson is currently third on the chart at DT despite impressing during spring camp. His months-long absence and the rise of Ramar Williams have shuffled the structure of the line.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Elijah O'Neal and Justin Wodtly are listed as co-starters for the new "SPARKY" position - which can be assumed to be in place for specific alignments and to combat certain offensive formations.

Linebacker

Linebacker: 44 Keyshaun Elliott* 6-2 235 Sr. 1L OR 24 Tate Romney 6-2 225 R-Jr. 2L, 18 Martell Hughes 6-2 220 So. 1L OR 43 Krew Jackson 6-5 230 R-Sr. 2L
Linebacker: 8 Jordan Crook * 5-11 220 Sr. 1L OR 30 Zyrus Fiaseu 6-0 235 R-Sr. 1L, 26 Isaiah Iosefa 6-0 225 Fr. HS OR 49 Prayer Young-Blackgoat 6-3 225 R-Fr. RS

Linebacker has become a fascinating topic of conversation, as Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Crook are listed as co-starters alongside Tate Romney/ Zyrus Fiaseu.

Defensive Backs

Cornerback: 12 Javan Robinson 5-11 180 R-Jr. 1L, 0 Rodney Bimage Jr. 6-0 190 R-Fr. 1L
Cornerback: 1 Keith Abney II* 5-11 185 Jr. 1L, 15 Nyland Green 6-2 185 R-Sr. TR
Nickelback: 7 Montana Warren 6-0 200 R-So. 2L OR 5 Kyndrich Breedlove 5-11 195 R-Sr. TR, 38 Kyan McDonald 5-11 180 So. 1L
Safety: 2 Xavion Alford* 6-0 200 R-Sr. 1L, 7 Montana Warren 6-0 200 R-So. 2L
Safety: 4 Myles Rowser 6-1 195 Sr. 1L, 20 Maurice Williams 6-1 205 So. TR
Devil: 6 Boogie Wilson 6-0 210 R-So. TR, 25 Jack Bal 6-2 195 R-So. 1L

Adrian "Boogie" Wilson was listed as the starter ahead of Jack Bal at the "DEVIL" position in the defensive back room. Montana Warren and Kyndrich Breedlove are still seemingly deadlocked when it comes to who will start at the nickelback spot. No surprise to see nickel listed as an “or” starter since Kenny Dillingham said Monday it might not be one guy getting a vast majority of the snaps.

Special Teams

Finally, the special teams positions come with a fair amount of intrigue.

Placekicker: 35 Jesus Gomez 6-2 215 R-Sr. TR, 26 Carston Kieffer 5-9 170 R-So. 1L
Punter: 31 Kanyon Floyd 6-0 190 So. 1L OR 34 Matt McKenzie 6-0 210 R-Jr. TR
Holder: 31 Kanyon Floyd 6-0 190 So. 1L OR 34 Matt McKenzie 6-0 210 R-Jr. TR
Long snapper: 90 Cade Davis 6-1 220 R-Sr. TR OR 39 Tyler Wigglesworth 5-10 195 R-Sr. 1L
Kick returner: 3 Raleek Brown 5-9 195 R-Jr. 1L OR 18 Jalen Moss 6-1 185 R-Jr. TR, 16 Jaren Hamilton 6-0 210 R-So. TR
Punt returner: 3 Raleek Brown 5-9 195 R-Jr. 1L OR 18 Jalen Moss 6-1 185 R-Jr. TR, 84 Cory Butler Jr. 5-9 185 Fr.

The punter, long snapper, and return positions are all labeled with co-starters - it should be seen as a positive that both Jalen Moss and Raleek Brown are seen as capable return men.

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