It is no secret to any ASU fan that the 2011 Mountaineers are going to look much different than the 2010 version on both sides of the ball. Gone are All-Americans D.J. Smith and Mark LeGree on the defense, as well as long-time contributors Matt Cline and Devon Moore from the ASU offense. However, with new faces comes excitement about what the future can bring. Although the lost experience cannot be underestimated, the Mountaineers will be bigger and more athletic in the trenches than they have been in recent memory.
The starting offensive line will likely come from the following candidates:
Graham Fisher (6-2, 275 lb. Redshirt Fr.) at Center
Orry Frye (6-2, 270 lb. Sr.), Kalan Jones (6-4, 280 lb. Redshirt Fr.) and Matt Ruff (6-3, 270 lb. Sr.) competing for the Guard spots
Kendall Lamm (6-7, 270 lb. Redshirt Fr.), Dylan Bostick (6-6, 280 lb. Redshirt Fr.) and Regan Dufort (6-5, 290 lb. Soph.) competing for the Tackle spots
You cannot replace experience, but the size and athleticism is there for this unit to become a huge asset for the Mountaineers by season's end.
As big as the offensive transition will be, it pales in comparison to the changes occurring on the defensive side of the ball. For as long as I can remember, ASU has played a 4-3 base defense. That will change this year, with Defensive Coordinator Dale Jones implementing a 3-4 look in an effort to get bigger and more athletic in the front seven. Dan Wylie (6-1, 305 lb. Sr.) looks to be the clear front-runner for the Nosetackle position. His strength and leverage has been very impressive and he should hold down the spot on the first team with Chris Aiken (6-1, 310 lb. Sr.) being his primary back-up.
However, the biggest defensive impact looks to come on the edges where ASU will line up two very big, athletic Defensive Ends in Gordy Witte (6-6, 315 lb. Sr.) and William Corbin (6-6, 300 lb. Redshirt Fr.). Witte and Corbin are young men accustomed to lining up in the middle, but both have the speed to play on the outside. They will now be in a position of having a size advantage against most offensive lineman and could wreak havoc in the backfield as the season progresses.
Three of the four linebackers will be familiar faces possessing great speed and game experience, with Jeremy Kimbrough, Brandon Grier and Justin Wray all but locked into those starting spots. Kimbrough seems destined to play in the middle, but it is not certain who will end up on the outside between Wray and Grier. If I had to guess, my money would be on Justin Wray due to his excellent speed and lateral quickness. The biggest uncertainty will be who else lines up on the outside as a pass-rushing linebacker in the new 3-4 ASU defense. Whether it is Lanston Tanyi or John Rizor, it will be an athlete that is used to playing on the line making the adjustment to being a stand-up linebacker. Indications are that Rizor may have a slight edge due to the fact that Tanyi still has to shake off the rust and get back into game shape after missing a full season due to injury. Either player would offer another experienced pass rusher to what looks to be an already explosive defensive front.
It is hard to have too much expectations before an FBS match-up, especially against a national power like Virginia Tech. However, there is no better way to put a young (but big and athletic) team to the test. If ASU is able to get even a decent push from their front line in the opener, big things could be in store the rest of the way. There is a lot of practice ahead before ASU solidifies their two-deep, but I have high expectations for the defensive unit, especially the front seven. The offense does return great talent and experience at the skill positions, so the development of the young offensive line will likely determine whether they will be the high-powered juggernaut ASU fans have come to expect.
*Photo from GoASU.com
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