ASU football digest: Kicker Carter Brown earns Pac-12 honor for a second time

True freshman Carter Brown has been named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season.

The Pearland, Texas native connected on a 53-yard field goal and went 6-for-6 on extra point kicks in the Sun Devils' 45-38 victory over No. 21 Washington Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.

The 53-yard field goal in the first quarter was the sixth-longest field goal in ASU history. It is also a career-high, surpassing his previous mark of 48 yards against Northern Arizona in the season opener. It is the third-longest field goal by a Sun Devil at Sun Devil Stadium since 1982, and the longest field goal since 2016.

It is tied for the longest field goal made by a Pac-12 kicker this season (Stanford K Joshua Karty, Oct. 1 vs Oregon).

Brown has made nine of 10 field goal attempts and all 18 of his extra points this season, accounting for a team-high 45 points.

He was named player of the week for the first game, one in which he had four field goals. He is the first Pac-12 kicker to win the award multiple times in the same season since Utah's Jadon Redding in 2020 and the first Sun Devil kicker to do that since Brandon Ruiz in 2017.

Twins Keon and Kejuan Markham enter transfer portal

Arizona State defensive backs Keon and Kejuan Markham have entered the transfer portal.

The move by the twins is not a surprise. The duo played in the first three games with Kejuan starting the first two and Keon in the third game.

But after head coach Herm Edwards parted ways with the program following that third game, the Markhams were mysteriously absent. When asked about their status, interim coach Shaun Aguano would only say that the two were "having trouble with the coaching change."

The two came to ASU from Long Beach Poly (Calif.) High School where they played under Antonio Pierce, who came to ASU when Edwards landed the head job and Pierce eventually became the offensive coordinator.

The two are graduate transfers. Kejuan started seven games in his ASU tenure while Keon started three.

Kicker Carter Brown named Special Teams Player of Week

Arizona State true freshman Carter Brown has been named Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week for his showing in ASU's 40-3 season-opening win last Thursday against Northern Arizona.

Brown, a native of Pearland, Texas,  went 4-for-4 on his field goal attempts and 4-for-4 on extra points, giving him 16 total points. Brown was the only kicker in the entire FBS to make four field goals during the opening week.

He nailed kicks from 27 and 36 yards before finishing up with a pair of 44-yard field goals to put the game away in the fourth quarter. Brown became the first Sun Devil kicker ever with four field goals in his first game.

The performance is tied for the fourth-most made field goals in a single-game in program history since 1996. Brown led all Pac-12 kickers in making four field goals, with no other kicker making more than two field goals in the opening week. He connected on two kicks of 40+ yards, the first Sun Devil to hit two 40+ yard field goals since Sept. 22, 2018.

LB Merlin Robertson candidate for Polynesian College Football POY

Fifth year linebacker Merlin Robertson has been named a candidate for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announced.

The award is given annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry. This is Robertson's second appearance on the Polynesian Player of the Year Watch List, also earning the distinction prior to last season.

Former winners include Marcus Mariota, Ronnie Stanley, Sefo Liufau, Hercules Mata`afa, Tua Tagovailoa, Penei Sewell, Talanoa Hufanga, and Zach Wilson. The veteran linebacker has received rave reviews about his focus and fitness from coaches and teammates throughout the Fall, leading to him being named team captain for the first time. Other preseason accolades Robertson collected include a spot on the Butkus Award Watch List and a Second Team Pac-12 All-Conference team nod.

Robertson has started 38 of his 41 career games, collecting 237 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He is equally as effective in the passing game as he has been stopping the run, picking off at least one pass in all four seasons and entering his fifth season with six career interceptions. Robertson has also added three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, showing a nose for the ball.

He has been a consistent and reliable force, playing 2,434 snaps since 2018, the 11th most of all FBS linebackers. Robertson has only 24 career missed tackles which is tied for 16th- fewest out of 114 FBS linebackers to play at least 1,500 snaps over the past four years.

This past season was Robertson's best from a pass defense standpoint, as he finished with a career-high three interceptions and added four pass deflections. Robertson also made 64 tackles, the third time he eclipsed the 60-tackle mark in his career. Among Pac-12 linebackers with 400+ snaps, Robertson was the sixth-highest graded one (65.9). He was an Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention selection.

LaDarius Henderson named to Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List

Arizona State senior offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson has been named to the Campbell Tyler Rose Award Preseason Watch List.

The award is given to the top offensive player in the nation with connections to the state of Texas, with Henderson playing at Waxahachie High School in Texas. The inclusion on the Watch List comes after Henderson earned a spot on the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference second-team offensive line.

Henderson, a returning starter at right guard, has been a force throughout his Sun Devil career, but is primed for a breakout fourth season in Tempe. He is considered one of the top 10 returning offensive lineman in the conference, earning Pac-12 second-team honors.

Henderson elevated his game last season to help pave the way for a prolific rushing attack, as running back Rachaad White went over 1,000 yards in only 11 games. He played a pivotal role in ASU averaging 202.3 rushing yards per game, good for 24th in the FBS and the most for a full season at ASU since 2012 (205.4) – and just the eighth time ASU has rushed for over 200 yards per game since joining the Pac-12 in 1978. Henderson earned Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honors in October after the road victory over No. 20 UCLA.

The Watch List announced today will be narrowed to up to 16 semifinalists in November and then up to five finalists in December. They will be selected by broadcasters, commentators, journalists, fans, and previous winners. The finalists will be brought to Tyler, Texas for The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Banquet scheduled for Jan.11, 2023.

Sun Devils add sixth recruit for 2023 cycle

The Arizona State football program picked a sixth commitment for the 2023 cycle with linebacker Xe'Ree Alexander of Kennedy Catholic of Burien, Washington making his decision public today.

His decision came own to ASU and its rival Arizona.

There is a family connection to ASU, sort of. Xe'Ree's brother Lonyatta "Junior" Alexander played for the Sun Devils in 2021 but transferred home to Washington after last season.

Alexander, a 6-foot-2, 215-pounder, is a three-star prospect, tabbed in the 247Sports Composite ranking as the No. 102 linebacker in the country and No. 17 prospect out of Washington.

Alexander's recruitment was headed by ASU linebacker coach Chris Claiborne, the 1998 Butkus Award Winner while at USC. That honor is given annually to the nation's top linebacker.

Of ASU's six commitments for the class, five are from defensive players. Alexander is the second linebacker in the class, the first being  R.L. Miller out of San Francisco Sacred Heart Catholic.

Sun Devils add junior college lineman

The Sun Devils may be a week into fall camp, but they haven't stopped adding players to the mix, with offensive lineman Danny Valenzuela set to join the team for Monday's practice.

Valenzuela, a 6-foot-3, 290-pounder out of College of the Canyon, has three years of eligibility left after playing the first at the Southern California Community College.

The Sun Devils lost three starters from last year's team and have been experimenting with different combinations, including some Division I transfers.

Valenzuela, 20, did not have any Division I offers out of Grace Brethren High School but worked to get bigger and stronger during the 2020 season that was canceled due to COVID, then last year in the community college program.

He took an official visit to Tempe last month, a couple of weeks after getting an official offer and was hosted by another newcomer in Emmit Bohle. Valenzuela was recruited by offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh, whose track record was a factor in the players' decision.

"I know what he (Cavanaugh) has done at the other schools and how many players he has put in the NFL," Valenzuela said. "This is a great opportunity for me and I'm excited to get started."

Valenzuela said he was also considering Virginia, Coastal Carolina and Tulsa.

He knows he has to make up some time, not having been here for spring or the first week of camp. He plans on getting with a graduate assistant at 6:15 a.m. Monday morning to start going over the playbook before the 8:15 a.m. practice.

"It has all happened really fast," Valenzuela said. "I know I have to work hard to get up to speed I'm ready to put in the work."

Sun Devils snag commitment from Texas athlete

The Arizona State football program landed its second commitment in as many days with cornerback Amarion Atwood out of Horn High School in Mesquite, Texas announcing his decision on social media Monday morning.

That brings ASU's 2023 class to five,  the fewest of any team in the Pac-12. Three of the five pledges are from Texas, including defensive lineman C.J. Fite who announced his decision Saturday afternoon.

Atwood, a 6-foot 170-pounder had 14 offers but had not taken an official visit. He originally committed to North Texas, which is just an hour away from his home, but decommited from that school a month later.

Atwood is ranked as the No. 140 cornerback in the 247Sports composite ranking. He is the No. 229 player out of the talent-laden state of Texas.

Last season Atwood recorded 32 tackles, three interceptions and three fumble recoveries which helped earn him first-team All-District 10-6A selection honors as a junior.

Sun Devils land Texas defensive lineman Cullen Fite

Arizona State has picked up a commitment from defensive lineman Cullen Fite out of Tatum High School in Tatum, Texas, which is about two hours east of Dallas.

The 6-foot-1, 280-pounder is the fourth pledge for the 2023 class.  He picked ASU from 18 offers with ASU in his final three along with Oregon State and University of Texas-San Antonio. Fite visited all three of his final choices, with his trip to ASU the first and coming the weekend of June 10.

"I think it will be a great place for me to learn and work on all the things I need to get better and help me get to the next level," he said. "I also felt a great connection with the coaches."

During his visit he was hosted by sophomore B.J. Green, who led the team in sacks a year ago as a true freshman walk-on. Green was later put on scholarship. Fite admitted seeing and hearing Green's experience had an impact.

"He told me seniority doesn't matter. If you're good enough you can play early. I appreciate that," he said.

Among  Fite's 18 offers were Nebraska, SMU and Washington State.

Last season as a junior he racked up 53 tackles, three sacks, an interception, three hurries and forced a fumble. He was the Texas District 6-3A D-I MVP. The previous year as a sophomore he was a first-team selection in that district.

Fite says he would like to major in business engineering and plans to graduate early so he can participate in spring practices.

Fite's parents accompanied him on the trip and they too were sold on what ASU had to offer.

"At first my mom didn't want me to go that far from home because I'm the last one at home but once she got here and got to see it and meet the coaches she liked it and saw it would be a good place for me," he said.

Despite the commitment, ASU still has the fewest of any Power 5 school. The others are quarterback Israel Carter out of Corona Centennial (Calif.), safety Chase Davis out of Little Elm (Texas) and linebacker R.L. Miller out of Cathedral Prep

ASU's Taylor earns Pac-12 preseason honor

The preseason All-Pac-12 team, as selected by the media who cover Pac-12 football, has been announced ahead of the conference's annual media day which will be held on Friday in Los Angeles.

Defending Pac-12 champions Utah and USC lead the way with six first-team selections each.

The lone first-team representative for ASU is kick return specialist D.J. Taylor.

Linebacker Merlin Robertson and offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson are second-team selections while running back Xazavian Valladay and linebacker Kyle Soelle getting honorable mentions.

Utah RB Tavion Thomas, who had a school-record 21 rushing touchdowns last season, is one of three Utes on the first team offense alongside TE Brant Kuithe and OL Braeden Daniels.  Kyle Whittingham's squad also place three on the first team defense with DB Clark Phillips III, DB Cole Bishop and DL Van Fillinger.  Three Utes made the second team, including QB Cameron Rising who was the first team QB of the 2021 All-Pac-12 team.

USC had four players on the first team offense with three of them joining the team this season through the transfer portal.  QB Caleb Williams, a freshman All-American at Oklahoma last season, joins his former Sooners teammate WR Mario Williams on the first team.  The Trojans actually had both first-team WR with Jordan Addison, who won the Biletnikoff Award last season at Pitt.  OL Andrew Vorhees, who made the AP All-American third team last season, rounds out USC's first-team offense.  DL Tuli Tuipulotu represents USC on the first team defense, while RB Travis Dye takes the All-Purpose/Special Teams spot on the first team.  Dye also grabbed a spot on the second team as a running back, one of four Trojans on the second team.

Arizona is represented by punter Kyle Ostendorp on first team and wide receiver Jacob Cowing and defensive lineman Kyon Barrs on second team.

Sun Devils to host open house on Aug. 6 at Sun Devil Stadium

The ASU football team will host an open house to kick off the 2022 season on Saturday, Aug. 6 at Sun Devil Stadium.

Activities are scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will run through approximately 6:30 p.m.

Admission and parking north of the stadium are free, and all fans are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Throughout the event, there will be running panel discussions in the San Tan Ford Club with several of the key members and leaders within the program. The panels will also be broadcast on the stadium scoreboard throughout the night.

Guided tours within the Butterfield Kent Furst Student-Athlete Facility will be available to groups throughout the evening, including the weight room, locker room, and training table. Please make a reservation at the following link ahead of the event.

Fans will have the ability to take photos with the Pat Tillman Memorial Statue outside the Student-Athlete Facility.

The north end zone concourse area will be open for fans to mingle with and gather autographs from team members. Concessions will be available in this area, and fans will have the opportunity to try the new slow-smoked barbecue, wood-fired pizza, and craft beer trailer.

The Sun Devil Team Shop will be open along with a nearby photo station available for fans to see the traditional and upcoming uniform combinations and pose with assorted football mannequins displaying the different uniforms.

Fans can get a first look at the new special reserved tailgates setup.

There will be an opportunity to play interactive games throughout the stadium, including on the Bro and Blegen Agility field on the north side of the stadium.

Linebacker Merlin Robertson named to Butkus Watch List

Fifth-year senior linebacker Merlin Robertson lands on the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, the latest Sun Devil to be identified as one of the best at his position heading into the 2022 season.

The Butkus Award, initiated in 1985, goes to the top linebacker in college football. Robertson, who started as a true freshman in 2018, is in exclusive company on this list, joined by 50 of the best defenders in college football.  This is his fourth career appearance on the Butkus Award Preseason Watch List, previously earning a spot each year from 2019-21.

Robertson has started 38 of his 41 career games, collecting 237 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks as a Sun Devil. He is equally as effective in the passing game as he has been stopping the run, picking off at least one pass in all four seasons as he enters his fifth season with six career interceptions.

Robertson also has three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He has played 2,434 snaps since 2018, the 11th -most of all FBS linebackers. Robertson has only 24 career missed tackles which is tied for 16th- fewest out of 114 FBS linebackers to play at least 1,500 snaps over the past four years.

This past season was Robertson's best from a pass defense standpoint, as he finished with a career-high three interceptions and added four pass deflections. Robertson also made 64 tackles, the third time he eclipsed the 60-tackle mark in his career. Among Pac-12 linebackers with 400+ snaps, Robertson was the sixth-highest graded one (65.9).

Fullback Case Hatch recognized for community service

Arizona State senior fullback Case Hatch has been named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association.

The nominees are student-athletes with exemplary community service, academic success and impact on and off the field. Case Hatch more than fits the criteria, as he has given his time to help others his entire life.

Hatch, a local product out of Perry High School, is part of several organizations and participates in community service efforts throughout the Valley.  Dating back to 2019, he has been volunteering his time with Feed My Starving Children, attending 2-3 events a year during the holiday season. During that time he has also been involved in an organization called Work for Just Serve, which offers an ongoing list of service opportunities. He is also a part of a church that puts on events for youth groups, kids aged 12-18, bringing in speakers and providing support.

Since 2021, Hatch has volunteered with Neighbors Who Care, working with the organization about once a month, helping less fortunate families with various needs. He has also recently gotten involved with the Arizona Animal Wellness Center with his wife, working at a shelter in Gilbert. Once a month they spend a few hours helping clean out kennels, refill water and food, and interacting with the dogs.

Prior to his arrival at ASU, he went on a two-year mission to Fort Lauderdale. Hatch took advantage of several local volunteer opportunities that the church offered, using this time away from football to assist the community.

Hatch is also known for his "good work" on the field, serving as a captain and emerging as a team leader in 2021. He helped pave the way for Rachaad White's 1,000-yard rushing season out of his fullback position, taking pride in doing the dirty work. Hatch has been a major contributor on special teams throughout his career, including being named a First Team Pac-12 All-Conference specialist back in 2019.

The final 22-member team and honorary coach are selected by a voting panel of former Allstate AFCA Good Works Team members and journalists. They look for exceptional leadership on and off the football field. After the final team members are announced in September, fans can vote for this year's Allstate AFCA Good Works Team captain through the official page on ESPN.com.

Xazavian Valladay named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

ASU football senior running back Xazavian Valladay was named to the 2022 Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List, the PwC SMU Athletic Forum announced Wednesday.

The Forum annually presents the Doak Walker Award to the nation's top college running back.

Valladay carried the ball 626 times over four seasons at Wyoming, rushing for 3,281 yards and 19 touchdowns.

He left Laramie second in program history in career rushing yards and is the leading returning rusher in the nation.

The running back also caught 51 passes for 584 yards and two touchdowns at Wyoming.

Sun Devils get commitment from JuCo product Brandon McElroy

Arizona State defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez has always done a good job of finding that diamond in the rough. Well he thinks he might have landed another as the Sun Devils got a commitment from defensive tackle Brandon McElroy, a 6-foot-5, 340-pounder out of Glendale Community College (Calif.)

He played for the Vaqueros in 2019 and 2021, with the in between season not taking place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He will have two years of eligibility remaining and be on campus in a couple of weeks, in time to start fall camp with the team.

McElroy played basketball at Pasadena Muir. It wasn't until he got to the community college he decided to focus on football. He had played some flag football in middle schools and had followed the sport so it wasn't a completely new experience.

"I played basketball and that was always my sport, you know hoop dreams," he said. "But I always liked the aggressive nature of football so I decided to give that a try."

McElroy was also considering Alabama-Birmingham but the options were limited since he hadn't played the sport in high school. Rodriguez was active in recruiting him and McElroy felt a connection with him and the coaching staff immediately.

He made an official visit a couple of weeks ago and not only liked what he saw and heard from Rodriguez but defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson as well. Getting to meet special adviser Marvin Lewis, another veteran of the NFL coaching circle, also helped close the deal.

Defensive linemen Dylan Hall and B.J. Green were his hosts for the visit and they're both players with whom McElroy said he related. Hall is a community college transfer as well while Green came to ASU as a walk-on last season, led the team in sacks and then was granted a scholarship.

"I really identified with those guys for different reasons. They kept it real," he said. "It really felt like a family here. Between that and coaches that I felt like could really help develop me, it was an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

McElroy said he has been focusing on getting in good physical shape so he is prepared when he steps on the field.

"Coach (Rodriguez) said just get in shape and the rest will take care of itself," he said. "I can't wait to get there."

Sun Devils land commitment from Sacred Heart linebacker RL Miller

Arizona State has landed another commitment, this one coming from three-star linebacker RL Miller out of Sacred Heart Catholic in San Francisco.

The 6-foot-2, 175-pounder picked ASU from a handful of offers, the only other one from the Pac-12 coming from rival Arizona. Mountain West Conference contender Fresno State was also in the mix.

Miller played both wide receiver and cornerback for Sacred Heart, which won the  4-A CIF state championship in the fall, defeating  Covina Northview 48-29. In that contest, Miller managed 108 receiving yards with three touchdowns.

On the season, he collected 1,076 receiving yards on 62 receptions with 19 touchdowns while adding 101 tackles, seven of them for a loss, in addition to 13 pass breakups, three interceptions and two forced fumbles defensively.

His team advanced to the state portion of the playoffs by first winning the Division III Central Coast championship.

Miller, whose recruitment was spearheaded by Sun Devils linebacker coach Chris Claiborne, is the third recruit for the 2023 cycle. The first two were from quarterback Israel Carter out of Corona Centennial (Calif.) and safety Chase Davis out of Little Elm High School (Texas), the latter coming a week ago.

Linebacker is a position in which ASU will be in the need of some help with two of this year's probable three starters, Merlin Robertson and Kyle Soelle, set to graduate.

Sun Devils land commitment from Texas safety Chase Davis

It has taken a while but the Arizona State football program has landed a second commitment for the class of 2023 and it comes from safety Chase Davis out of Little Elm High School (Texas).

Davis is the first recruit landed by first-year defensive backs coach Aaron Fletcher, one of the newcomers on coach Herm Edwards' staff. As a junior, Davis totaled 43 tackles and pulled down four interceptions. He returned three of those interceptions for touchdowns.

Davis selected ASU out of 15 offers, with one of those from Pac-12 peer Colorado. Among the other offers were one from Memphis, Louisiana, Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder is the first commitment since quarterback Israel Carter of Corona Centennial (Calif) made his decision public on April 23.

ASU, whose recruiting has been severely impacted by the ongoing NCAA investigation into recruiting violations, is the only Power-5 program with fewer than three commitments.

Eight Arizona State players earn Athlon preseason honors

Eight Arizona State football players have earned recognition from Athlon Sports which has published its preseason Pac-12 All-Conference teams in advance of the 2022 season.

The nine total selections (one player named twice) are the third-most in the Pac-12 South.

Return specialist D.J. Taylor highlights the group as the first-team punt returner, also earning second-team kick returner distinction. Taylor was one of only three players to appear twice on the list.

Other second-team honorees included running back Xazavian Valladay, offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson, and linebacker Merlin Robertson.

Offensive lineman Ben Scott and linebacker Kyle Soelle landed on the third team. Rounding out the selections were defensive lineman Nesta Jade Silvera and defensive back Khoury Bethley, who were selected to the fourth team.

Former coach, kicker on Hall of Fame induction ballot

Former Arizona State football player Luis Zendejas and former head coach Darryl Rogers are among those on the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) portion of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame induction ballot announced by the Hall and The National Football Foundation (NFF) Monday.

The 2023 ballot includes 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 96 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks. Zendejas is on the ballot for the third consecutive year, while Rogers' name appears for the fourth time.

The announcement of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2023, with specific details to be announced in the future. The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be officially inducted during the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5, 2023, and permanently immortalized at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. They will also be honored at their respective schools with an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute, during the 2023 season.

Zendejas left Arizona State as the NCAA's all-time leading scorer, finishing with 380 points. He was named a consensus first-team All-American after a historic 1983 campaign. He remains Arizona State's all-time leader in single-season field goals made, with 28 in 1983. Zendejas completed his career with 81 made field goals, the second-highest mark by a Sun Devil.

By the time his career in Tempe came to an end, Zendejas had claimed several NCAA records that have since been surpassed. However, he still holds the NCAA record for most times making three or more field goals in a game during a season, accomplishing the feat six times in 1983. The four-time Pac-10 All-Conference selection was inducted into the Sun Devil Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.

Darryl Rogers went 37-18-1 with ASU from 1980 through 1984 and defeated Oklahoma, 32-21, in the 1982 Fiesta Bowl. He also coached at Cal State East Bay (formerly Cal State Hayward) (1965), Fresno State (1966-72), San Jose State (1973-75), and Michigan State (1976-79). He took Fresno State to two bowl games while achieving an unprecedented national ranking at San Jose State. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1977 and National Coach of the Year by Sporting News in 1978. He won the Big Ten title in 1978.

Defensive tackle Jermayne Lole headed to Louisville

Even when Arizona State defensive tackle Jermayne Lole put his name in the NCAA transfer portal, there was still some hope he might remain to the Sun Devils program because he hadn't closed the door on that possibility.

But Lole is indeed moving on after committing to Louisville Friday after a visit to the school. That announcement came before other trips he had planned to Florida, Texas Tech, and Pac-12 foe Oregon.

Lole sat out last season, after sustaining a torn triceps injury in late August. That injury eventually required surgery. He participated in some spring drills on a limited basis did not partake in any contact activity.

Lole, a 6-foot-3, 305-pounder, was a three-year starter for the Sun Devils before that injury and  was regarded as the No. 2 ranked available prospect in the transfer portal by 247Sports.

Lole, who came to ASU from Long Beach Poly (Calif.) High School, recorded 123 tackles, 20 of which were for loss, and 11 sacks in his three years at ASU. He was ranked as Pro Football Focus' 24th-best player in college football heading into 2021.

There was some thought he might explore the draft after last season despite the injury but decided in late November to return for another season in college.

Lole has dealt with considerable adversity in his ASU tenure, even before the injury. In late 2020 he lost three relatives close to him, including his father and a brother.

The defensive line is considered perhaps the strongest unit for the Sun Devils, even with the loss of Lole. Omarr Norman-Lott, who inherited considerable playing time last year with Lole out, also put his name in the portal but opted to return to ASU and looms as the favorite to start at the three-technique tackle spot

Former standout Tyler Johnson headed to the CFL

Former Arizona State defensive end Tyler Johnson has signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.

Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 280-pounder out of Highland High School, was not drafted but recently participated in mini-camp with the Baltimore Ravens.

Johnson was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection the past season, the only Sun Devil to earn that distinction. He registered 36 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, four sacks, and two fumble recoveries.

In his career, Johnson racked up 112 tackles, 29.5 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks.

Johnson was selected to participate in the Hula Bowl but was snubbed when it came to an invite to the NFL combine. He tried to increase his draft status with his showing in ASU's Pro Day with marks of 4.81 in the 40, 19 reps in the bench press, and 7.54 in the three-cone drill.

Johnson is the ninth ASU player to sign with a professional team. Four were drafted and four others signed with NFL teams as free agents.

Former All-American Eric Gentry headed to USC

It was one thing for Arizona State's freshman All-American linebacker Eric Gentry to put his name in the transfer portal. It's another thing for him to decide his next school will be one of the Sun Devils biggest rivals.

But Gentry is indeed staying in the Pac-12 and will play at USC as word of that move spread on social media Friday.

No doubt there were numerous suitors for the 6-foot-6, 200-pounder from Philadelphia who earned Freshman All-American honors last season by ESPN, Pro Football Focus, 247 Sports, Pro Football Network and the FWAA. He was the first consensus Freshman All-American at Arizona State since fellow linebacker Merlin Robertson in 2018.

Gentry started the final three games of 2021 with starter Darien Butler sidelined with a concussion. Gentry's rookie campaign ended with a start in the Las Vegas Bowl against Wisconsin in which he collected five tackles and one tackle for loss.

He finished his first season with 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups while playing in all 13 games. He was one of just three true freshman linebackers in the Pac-12 to play at least 250 snaps. The highlight of the season came on a crucial fourth down stop, when he tackled UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the backfield for a momentum-changing play.

Gentry was expected to fill the starting role previously occupied by the graduated Butler and was widely considered one of last season's breakout stars.

Gentry participated in all of ASU's spring practices and appeared happy to be in Tempe with his move reportedly coming down to NIL deals with him expecting to garner well into six figures in such endorsements.

The loss of Gentry is one of many blows the program has taken in recent months. The cloud of the NCAA investigation remains and is no closer to being resolved than it was months ago.  ASU has also been woefully behind other schools when it comes to coming up with NIL-type programs that might keep players in the fold.

2 offensive linemen headed to the transfer portal

Red-shirt senior Spencer Lovell and red-shirt freshman Ezra Dotson-Oyetade are the latest Arizona State players headed to the transfer portal. Both were backup offensive linemen.

The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder has been primarily a backup in his time in Tempe. He did start three of the last four games of the season including the Las Vegas Bowl against Wisconsin at right guard as a fill-in for senior starter Henry Hattis, who was injured.

Lovell, a native of Fort Collins, Colorado, saw some reps with the first team early in spring drills last month but that was largely because other players were missing.

Dotson-Oyetade, a 6-3, 270-pounder from Texas, did not play in any games last season and was redshirted after arriving in Tempe in 2020 as a four-star prospect. He was also the No. 43 recruit in Texas in the class.

The Sun Devils have two starters up front returning in Ben Scott and LaDarius Henderson with Scott moving to center from right tackle. They lost three starters but brought in some reinforcements on the offensive line in Chris Martinez (San Diego State) and Des Holmes (Penn State), both of whom joined the team in January.

They added another transfer starter this week in local product Joey Ramos, a former starter at Iowa State. In addition, the Sun Devils are high on sophomore Isaia Glass who has been progressing and took some first-team reps in the spring.

Wide receiver LV Bunkley-Shelton the latest Sun Devil to transfer

The Arizona State football team was already in need of wide receivers but that position took another hit as red-shirt sophomore LV Bunkley-Shelton has decided to seek playing time elsewhere and indicated that on social media Thu.

He is the second wide receiver to enter the portal, following the lead of Rick Pearsall who did so last week. That also means ASU will be without its four top pass catchers from last season.

The Sun Devils are down to five scholarship wide receivers who combined for 32 receptions for 377 yards and one touchdown last year. The best left is Andre Johnson who had 12 catches for 186 yards.

Bunkley-Shelton, a 5-foot-11, 195-pounder, was a limited participant in spring drills last month after having foot surgery during the offseason. Last season he recorded 33 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns. His best game came against Colorado when he had four reception for 76 yards.

In two years (16 games) Bunkley-Shelton tallied 44 catches for 518 yards.

ASU was also working him in special teams. He had six punt returns for 28 yards with a long of 12 yards last season.

Sunday is the deadline for player to enter the portal and still be able to play in the fall unless they do so as a graduate student.

Deer Valley product Joey Ramos headed to ASU

The Arizona State football program is a work in progress up front, having to replace three starters on the offensive line. A local product is looking to be a key factor in that transformation as Deer Valley graduate Joey Ramos indicated on social media today he is transferring from Iowa State to ASU.

The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder played in all 13 games for the Cyclones last year, primarily on special teams.

But in 2020 he played in eight games, starting five of those. That season the Iowa State group was named one of 11 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award which is presented annually to the nation's top offensive lines. That year the team set a school record for rushing touchdowns (31) and posted the second-best scoring offense (32.9) in school history.

Ramos first joined the Iowa State program in 2018, redshirting in his initial collegiate season.

He had a lot of quality offers out of high school, eventually signing with Iowa State over suitors such as UCLA, Oregon and Washington, with both ASU and Arizona also offering him. He was dubbed a three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN with Rivals pegging him a top-30 guard nationally and 247Sports putting him in the top 50 in addition to singling him out as the sixth-best prospect in the state.

Ramos participated in the Under Armour All-America Camp in 2017 and was invited to the 2018 East vs. West All-star game at AT&T Stadium. He was a three-time all-state selection and also competed in wrestling.

ASU graduated two starters from the past season in Kellen Diesch and Henry Hattis with a third, junior Dohnovan West declaring for the draft. Both Diesch and West are projected NFL draft picks with that event getting underway on Thursday in Las Vegas.

ASU adds transfer from Auburn

The Arizona State football program picked up a second player in as many days and this one should have an impact.

The newest addition is cornerback Roterius Torrance, who is transferring from Auburn but previously played at Hutchinson Community College (Kan.), a two-year school with an impressive track record in athletics. He will have two years of eligibility remaining and was snatched up by the Sun Devils a month after putting his name in the transfer portal.

It is a position of need for ASU which graduated its two starters in Chase Lucas and Jack Jones. The lone returning player in that position with significant experience is Timarcus Davis who played when each was out at different times.

The 6-foot-4, 197-pounder played in 10 games at Auburn last season, mostly on special teams. He managed five tackles, a breakup and forced a fumble.

Before that he excelled at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College where he earned National Junior College Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-American honors He ignited his team to  its first NJCAA national championship in 2020. In eight games that season Torrance tallied 28 tackles, six pass breakups and one interception. He allowed just one pass completion in coverage.

Torrance was tabbed the No. 25 overall prospect and No. 4 cornerback in his junior college class in the  247Sports Composite rankings. He was first committed to Tennessee but flipped to Auburn a week later after receiving the  Auburn offer

Torrance, who is from Bessemer, Alabama, is a product of Bessemer City High School which is about two hours from the Auburn campus.

California QB becomes first recruit of 2021 cycle

The Arizona State football program has landed its first recruit for the 2023 class and it is quarterback Israel Carter out of Corona Centennial (Calif.).

The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder has been to Arizona State twice on unofficial visits, one of those occasions coming earlier this month when the Sun Devils wrapped up spring drills with their "Spring Showcase."

Carter had 10 offers but is only now wrapping up his junior season. ASU was in his final four schools along with other Pac-12 foes in Colorado and Oregon as well as Brigham Young. UNLV, Nevada and Washington State were among his other suitors.

Carter said ASU had been looking at him as far back as the eighth grade. He had been seriously considering ASU and that didn't change even when a new offensive coordinator came on board in Glenn Thomas.

"I really liked coach Herm (Edwards) and the other coaches," said Carter, while waiting for a flight to Las Vegas where he will be competing in a 7-on-7 tournament this weekend. "I really felt like they wanted me and we have been building a good relationship and I really appreciate that."

As a junior, Carter split reps with another quarterback in playing for a program that is one of the finest in Southern California. He threw for 844 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception while completing 60% of his passes and rushing for 316 yards and eight more scores. He helped the Huskies to an 11-1 showing their season ending with a 21-16 loss to national power Mater Dei.

Carter had been tabbed by 247Sports as the No. 47 quarterback nationally and the No, 74 player out of talent-laden California.

Carter said he wasn't concerned about the ongoing NCAA investigation into recruiting violations that has yet to be resolved. He also didn't feel the need to wait and see if other higher profile offers were going to come in.

"I talked with Coach Herm about that and he said they are trying to put that behind them and move on with this coaching staff. He was very honest about everything," he said. "I am happy with this decision and it's the place I want to be."

Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@gannett.com or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU kicker Carter Brown earns Pac-12 Special Teams Player of the Week