ASU football's Pat Tillman jersey is a symbol for each of the things former Sun Devil Pat Tillman stood for: excellence on the football field, in the classroom and in the service of others.
Tillman played safety with the Arizona Cardinals after a largely successful career at linebacker as a Sun Devil, so it is fitting that three of the four Sun Devils donning the camouflage PT 42 jersey are defensive backs.
Redshirt senior cornerback Lloyd Carrington, redshirt senior safety Jordan Simone and redshirt sophomore safety James Johnson all wore No. 42 jerseys Saturday.
Johnson, the latest to earn the honor, was humbled by it.
"It means a lot," Johnson said. "I'm extremely grateful to get a chance to wear (No. 42) and I know not a lot of guys get to but I'm extremely honored."
After losing his starting spot during Week 3 of 2014, Johnson has had a great spring in finding his way back into the starting 11 on defense.
"Even though we're playing two different positions, (Simone and I) are still competing," Johnson said. "I'm following his lead. That's my guy. Every play we're communicating, and I'm following his lead."
The Sun Devil defense returns nine starters, but also plugs in several experienced players.
"I'd consider myself a returning starter," Johnson said. "I'm extremely confident. 100 percent faith in the system, and we're going to be better than we were last year."
For Carrington, the jersey is an opportunity to lead by example.
"It makes me just look back realize how grateful I am for the opportunity," he said. "It just reminds me of the responsibilities I have as being a defensive leader, going through and leading by example during practice, making plays on the field and being coachable."
Carrington has been with coach Todd Graham since the two shared one season at Pitt. Carrington transferred to ASU once Graham took the head coaching job, and has since blossomed in his scheme.
"The scheme, when you first start out, it sort of difficult, but over the years I've picked up my assignments and responsibilities as a corner," Carrington said. "The main thing is just coming out and executing, having repetition at practice and being mentally focused at gametime."
With so many returning starters, the defensive unit comes into 2015 with a lot more confidence than the year before.
"It gives me a lot of confidence (to have nine returning starters)," Carrington said. "The whole mindset and attitude of the whole team has changed. We had a young team last year, ended up getting to No. 6 in the nation and shocking and surprising a lot of people. Now we feel comfortable in those types of roles."
Simone has emerged as a key leader on the defense after being a backup and a walk-on just a year ago, something that has inspired the likes of Carrington.
"He's done a fantastic job just leading the guys and understanding the playbook and scheme more," Carrington said. "He's really become a playmaker out on the field."
While Carrington's No. 1 cornerback slot appears to be all but clinched, a battle has unfolded between senior Kweishi Brown and redshirt senior Solomon Means to take over the second corner spot.
Carrington has been impressed by the competition.
"Their mental maturity, that level for those guys has risen throughout spring ball," he said. "They're competing every down, they're understanding what is expected of them every play. The main thing is they're competing, coming down to make plays on the ball and dominate receivers."
The biggest change for the secondary this spring? Swagger.
"Our swag, man," Carrington said. "We come out on the field just looking to dominate. We know we can take them away and we have confidence in our ability. When the opportunity comes to make plays, we do that...We're one of the best in the country."
For Johnson, the goal is simple.
"We want to lead the nation in interceptions," he said. "We want to have a physical presence, that's huge. Make them fear coming across the middle."
Reach the assistant sports editor at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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