Talent at the wide receiver position is abundant in the Pac-12.
Which makes an equally-skilled secondary all the more important for any team hoping to succeed.
The ASU football team entered its first season in the revamped conference with high hopes and no shortage of depth in the secondary. The Sun Devils returned a mix of talented starters and several potent underclassmen.
ASU also possessed depth at both safety and cornerback, and after the loss of some key starters, that multitude in the area has certainly paid dividends so far.
Despite the injuries, the changes, and at times uncertainty, the Sun Devil secondary has responded with stellar play in 2011.
“We’ve had some injury problems and our depth has came through and played great,” senior linebacker Colin Parker said. “They cause turnovers. They’re making tackles. They’re where they’re supposed to be. A lot of our success is due to what they’re doing.”
ASU ranks third in the Pac-12 in pass defense and second in pass defense efficiency. The Sun Devils also lead the conference in interceptions with 11. Eight of those picks have come from a defensive back.
All of this was achieved from a group that is playing without senior cornerback Omar Bolden, who suffered an ACL tear during the spring. In 2010, he was a unanimous selection to the All-Pac-10 team, and owned seven career interceptions and 21 pass breakups.
While the Bolden injury was devastating in itself, redshirt freshman cornerback Devan Spann later fell victim to a costly shoulder injury.
“We had Spann go down, which a lot of people kind of forgot about now,” Parker said. “He was a huge part of our depth. It just seems like there’s always somebody waiting to step up. They’ve done a great job.”
And that’s exactly what’s happened for ASU. Instead of just one contributor, it’s been a group of players that have risen to the occasion.
It all starts with senior safety Eddie Elder, who is in the midst of yet another fine season in maroon and gold. He’s recorded 106 tackles and 5 1/2 tackles for loss in his career.
However, Elder was far from content with his early season play, and began practicing his catching skills after weekday practices.
“I’m trying to get my groove back, honestly because I’m known for being a ball-hogging safety,” Elder said. “But since I got here I’ve been really known for making plays on the run. So I’m just really trying to get my groove back and trying to catch the ball. I still have my ball skills.”
His efforts paid off immediately as he snared an interception in the end zone against Utah.
Then there’s sophomore safety Alden Darby, who burst onto the scene this season. The Long Beach, Calif. native played in all 12 of ASU’s contests a season ago. But Darby’s best game of his young collegiate career came against Oregon State in early October.
He managed to intercept OSU quarterback Sean Mannion twice in ASU’s 35-20 thumping of the Beavers. Darby struck again one week later in Utah when he reeled in yet another interception.
“He’s been huge,” Elder said. “He has a lot of talent and it shows every time Coach Bray puts him in the game. We have to utilize his talent.”
Darby leads the Pac-12 with three picks for 40 yards and a .50 interception average per game.
The contributions don’t stop at Elder and Darby. Senior cornerback Deveron Carr has amassed 28 solo tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss this year. Senior safety Clint Floyd has collected a pair of interceptions and two forced fumbles as well, while sophomore cornerback Osahon Irabor and junior safety Keelan Johnson have both tallied interceptions of their own.
Whether it’s been an interception or fumble, the forced turnovers have been instrumental to ASU’s success.
“It’s been great,” Parker said. “We’ve been getting the ball back to our offense. When they’ve gotten the chances, they’ve taken advantage of them. It’s really helped us this season.”
In a conference that showcases plenty of high-octane offenses, it’s been the ASU secondary that’s held them in check.
“We’re just trying to disciplined and be accountable to our teammates and make plays,” Elder said. “That’s why we’re in the secondary. DB’s are playmakers so that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Reach the reporter at greg.dillard@asu.edu
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