This is the 10th in a series of articles profiling ASU's 12 Hall of Fame inductees. Up next: Steve Loy, men's golf.
The old adage that offensive linemen are the foundation of a good football team is preached throughout the nation by head coaches at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
If a coach is searching for proof of the principle, they need only to look at the success the ASU football team with Danny Villa, who played offensive tackle from 1983-86. He was the anchor of the offensive line that helped the Sun Devils capture their first Pac-10 title and the 1987 Rose Bowl crown.
Villa, who went on to play professionally in the NFL, began his career at Nogales High School. He became a Sun Devil long before his ability was noticed around the country.
In 1986, Villa was a consensus All-America pick by the Associated Press and the Football Writers Association and was the recipient of the Morris Trophy as the Pac-10 Offensive Lineman of the Year. Villa, the first Sun Devil to achieve All-America status, also was named an All-Pac-10 honorable mention selection in 1985.
But Villa's impact on the program went beyond his individual accolades.
The 1986 team, led by Villa, averaged 210.5 yards rushing per game and finished ninth in the nation in scoring with an average of 32.5 points per game. Sun Devil running back Darryl Harris enjoyed his best season with more than 1,000 yards rushing and nine rushing touchdowns.
After his days as a Sun Devil, Villa was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He played with the Arizona Cardinals, Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers during his professional career.
Reach the reporter at cameron.eickmeyer@asu.edu.
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