If he looks bigger, it’s because he is.

Lawrence Guy, ASU’s sophomore defensive tackle extraordinaire, didn’t take much time to relax in the offseason. After having a monster freshman-year campaign, Guy put on even more beef over the winter.

He added about 15 to 20 pounds of muscle on top of his already 275-pound frame.

The best thing is, he didn’t lose an ounce of quickness.

“He’s bigger, stronger, faster,” ASU football coach Dennis Erickson said. “He had a good year last year, but he can get better. He made a lot of freshman mistakes last year but played very well. You watch him in the first five days of spring ball and you can see he’s more explosive than he was.”

Guy said he spent a lot of time with a couple of weight trainers once the season ended. He only went home to Las Vegas for a week around Christmas time.

“I feel bigger, and I still got my speed,” Guy said. “I just worked really hard trying to come up to a [defensive] tackle’s weight and strength.”

Guy started out as a defensive end but has since shifted into the middle of the line. Erickson said Guy is getting more comfortable with the position now and cutting down on mental mistakes.

“He knows what he’s doing. He’s got a good feel,” Erickson said.

Guy figures to be an anchor along the line with senior defensive end Dexter Davis.

Erickson and his staff have started experimenting with some new D-line schemes, employing a strong-side-weak-side look during practice. Davis has been lining up as the weak-side option, while sophomore James Brooks took reps with the No. 1 team on the strong side.

Junior-college transfer Dean DeLeone also figures to see some time at the end position next season.

Joining Guy in the other starting defensive tackle spot was junior Saia Falahola, who could be pushed by incoming freshman Corey Adams from Scottsdale Saguaro in the fall. Junior Jonathan English, who should also figure into the tackle rotation, is rehabbing a torn anterior cruciate ligament but should be ready by the fall.

“We’re going to have a stacked unit,” Guy said. “We have a big unit, and we have some great competition.”

Erickson said the defensive line is definitely improving but has plenty of work to do. He said it is currently developing some depth, but “it’s not there yet.”

“If we can do that, it’d make a big difference,” Erickson said.
As for Tuesday’s practice, senior wide receiver Brandon Smith made some nice grabs and moves after the catch.

Senior quarterback Danny Sullivan was the sharpest signal-caller on Tuesday, while sophomore Samson Szakacsy struggled. There were several interceptions thrown throughout the afternoon, but Szakacsy in particular made some poor decisions with the ball.

Senior wide receiver Kyle Williams was helped off the field with about an hour and a half left in practice. He didn’t return and spent the rest of the afternoon with ice wrapped around his right elbow. The injury didn’t look to be too serious, though.

Former player Keegan Herring was also on hand to watch Tuesday’s practice. True to form, he did his fair share of talking on the sidelines during the scrimmage part of the practice.

Reach the reporter at alex.espinoza@asu.edu.