Warning: offensive deficiencies may be smaller than they appear.

Some of the best lore from ASU football coach Dennis Erickson’s time with the Miami Hurricanes of the early 1990s, which included the likes of Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp, was of how the defense would dominate the offense during training camp, only for the offense to explode on Saturdays when the competition wasn’t so freakishly good.

The 2009 ASU defense may not be of that Miami caliber yet, but the boys in the bubble look downright special.

The Sun Devils defense is coming off a season that, by most statistical standards, was very average.

ASU was ranked fifth in the Pac-10 conference in total team defense and 44th in the nation.

The defense was explosive when it came to forcing turnovers at times, as it had a four-touchdown game against UCLA and seven turnovers for touchdowns in the second half of the season.

While the defense had its moments, particularly in the last six games of the season, it was still not good enough to carry an offense that struggled much of the year.

After losing a batch of solid seniors who included captain and safety Troy Nolan, tackle David Smith, defensive end Luis Vasquez and middle linebacker Morris Wooten, the defense will have a combination of freshman athletes who could make a significant impact early, and returners who’ve begun to match their physical abilities with competency in their assignments.

Defensive coordinator Craig Bray is likely to unveil a more aggressive zone-blitzing scheme that will use varying front four pre-snap alignments.

In other words, the guys on defense want to confuse the guys on offense and use their superior athletes to bring pressure from different parts of the field.

Bray believes he has the necessary depth and athleticism this year to bring the ruckus.

“[Creating pressure is] something we feel we’re capable of doing now,” he said. “We have safeties that can come off the edge, we’ve got the young [linebackers] that can really pressure and then we’ve got some good, smart old [linebackers] that can play sound defense.”

Defensive line

You would be hard-pressed to find a college football player at a major program with the success of senior Dexter Davis who has received less attention.

While Davis is undersized as a professional prospect, it hasn’t stopped him from establishing one of the best careers for an ASU defensive end in school history.

Davis heads into his senior season as fourth in Sun Devil history with 27.5 sacks.

As one of former coach Dirk Koetter’s local recruits, Davis is humble and soft-spoken in an interview, but a chiseled beast off the edge.

A former state champion wrestler, Davis understands the dynamics of pad level and is said to be ASU’s most proficient technician ¬¬¬¬¬¬— an expert in his craft.

Davis will be penciled in at the weak side defensive end spot, where he won’t be covered up with a tight end.

Opposite Davis, a host of players will split time at the defensive end.
Junior college transfer Dean DeLeone, and redshirt freshmen Toa Tuitea and Jamaar Jarrett, figure to see a bulk of the action.

Sophomore James Brooks will see action at defensive as well, but he has been suspended for the season’s first three games after violating a team rule.

At tackle, this Guy is not your buddy. Sophomore Lawrence Guy caught eyes as a true freshman, starting in the team’s final eight games while racking up 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Playing the three technique off the shoulder of the guard will give Guy the opportunity to penetrate and create havoc in opponents’ backfields.

Already at 6 feet 5 inches tall and close to 300 pounds, Guy has put on close to 30 pounds of muscle in the off-season, and along with Davis will anchor a ferocious front.

On the inside of the line, there’s yet to be declared a starter for the nose tackle position, but many prospects yield excitement for the Sun Devil faithful.

Freshman William Sutton has been one of the raves of camp, showing the strength and technique of an older player but the athletic ability of a high-ceiling player.

“[Sutton] plays like he is a 23-year-old,” Bray said. “He is so way ahead mentally and physically.”

Bray said that both Sutton and fellow true freshman Corey Adams could get time at both tackle positions.

Also in the mix on the front four will be tackles sophomore Bo Moos and juniors Saia Falahola and Jonathan English.

Bray said a consistent defensive-line rotation will be used to get the most out of the team’s depth.

“D-line is a four, five [and] six play [per player] and out all game long,” he said. “We need eight starters.”

The savvy vet Davis will have plenty of partners in the pass rush.
“I think we’ll be pretty dominant,” Davis said.

Linebackers

His name alone makes you want to run into a small room and lock the door.

Vontaze Burfict.

Should the true freshman pass the NCAA Clearinghouse for eligibility, he has a chance to make a huge and immediate impact at a versatile and deep position for the Sun Devils.

Burfict was one of the top recruits in ASU history and has been compared to a bigger version of Ray Lewis by Erickson.

Burfict has shown brilliance in camp, delivering bone-jarring hits and stepping into passing lanes for picks.

Besides his prototype speed and size at the middle linebacker position, Burfict stands out on the practice field. The blue-chipper is vocal in a crazy kind of way.

Yes, the “Ray Ray” comparison seems to fit.

In addition to Burfict, the Sun Devils have a solid core of players.

Scholarly senior Mike Nixon, who will likely start at weak side linebacker, tied for the conference lead in interceptions last year with six. While never noted for NFL-type athletic talent, Nixon is a smart, steady player who never seems to be out of position.

Beside Nixon will be fellow seniors Travis Goethel and Gerald Munns, who will play middle linebacker.

Behind the projected starters will be sophomores Brandon Magee, Shelly Lyons and Oliver Aaron.

Lyons and Magee both had sprain injuries during camp but are expected to be ready to go for the opener.

The sophomore trio, along with Burfict, could provide the blitzing ammunition Bray desires.

“The biggest thing on defense is winning on first and second down,” Nixon said. “If we put [the opponent’s offense] in bad situations, we’ll have a chance to succeed. “

Secondary

This is another area defensive coordinator Craig Bray has praised for its depth.

Junior Omar Bolden, who had a great freshman year but struggled as a sophomore, had his best camp yet, Bray said.

Senior Terell Carr started nine games last season and is expected to start this year.

Senior cornerback Pierre Singfield has been a standout and arguably the most- improved cornerback on the team, and junior LeQuan Lewis has gotten plenty of snaps this camp.

The biggest battle of the summer has been at safety, though it appears Bray is content with the idea that four players will contribute.

Seniors Ryan McFoy and Jarrell Holman have gone toe- to-toe for the strong safety position during camp.

At free safety, redshirt freshman Keelan Johnson is one of the better athletes on the team and will likely share snaps with sophomore Clint Floyd.

Junior Max Tabach returns from a knee injury last year to provide insurance.

“For the first time since we’ve been here, we have a group of kids that are competing,” Bray said. “It’s going to make [the safeties] really, really good.”

“We’re going to have four guys that will play all the time,” he added.

Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu.