ASU freshman defensive lineman Lawrence Guy has friends coming to town this weekend, but they aren’t traveling to Tempe on vacation.

Guy, who went to Western High School in Las Vegas, said he’s looking forward to seeing a few of UNLV’s players
“I’m looking forward to seeing how some of those guys have improved [compared to] how I’ve improved,” he said.

Guy said he was recruited to play for the Runnin’ Rebels but never strongly considered attending the school.

One of nine true freshmen who have seen playing time this season, Guy has been a versatile player for the Sun Devils, shifting positions along the defensive line.

“I like defensive end, but I am better at defensive tackle so I am probably going to stick [with the position] right now,” he said.

Guy leads all of ASU’s defensive linemen this season with eight tackles.

In all, ASU has five players from Nevada on its roster, including Las Vegas natives freshman Josh Jordan and junior Jarrell Holman.

“I think it’s a really fertile area for football,” Coach Dennis Erickson said.

“It’s growing like Phoenix is,” he said. “There are a lot more high schools and a lot more players.

“We’ll continue to recruit in [Nevada] real hard.”

Two players leave team

Reserves linebacker Chad Lindsey (junior) and defensive back Grant Crunkleton (junior) have left the ASU football team.

Both were passed up on the depth charts by newcomers to the team.

Lindsey and Crunkleton are on pace to graduate in May and will remain on scholarship, associate athletic director Mark Brand said.

Coach pleased with practice

Erickson said Thursday he was encouraged by his team’s play leading up to Saturday’s game.

“We try to be as consistent as we can, week in and week out and so far we have,” the coach said. “It’s been a good week of preparation.”

Injury front

Erickson said he won’t know until Saturday whether or not senior running back Keegan Herring will play against UNLV.

Herring, who reaggravated his injured hamstring in the fourth quarter against Stanford, has not practiced all week.

Senior tight end Andrew Pettes (groin) will also be a game-time decision.

Freshman linebacker Brandon Magee, who injured his pectoral muscle while lifting weights on Tuesday, will not play on Saturday.

Reach the reporter at Nicholas.Kosmider@asu.edu.