From the knees up, 6-foot-5, 260-pound ASU sophomore Dan Knapp has the look of an all-world tight end.
After suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear against USC last season, a bulky brace awkwardly fits Knapp’s right knee — doing little to disguise a noticeable limp — and distorts the image.
“I’m still limping a little bit,” Knapp said. “Trainers see it, [and] I notice it.”
Knapp has overcompensated because of the limp, causing a recent minor tweak in his groin.
The road back has tested Knapp physically and mentally.
“It’s definitely harder than I thought it was going to be,” he said. “I didn’t think knee surgery was such a major surgery. [It was a] nine-month rehab process. It was long [and] it was hard, but I’m here and I’m now.”
Despite the hindrance, Knapp won the starting tight end job. And despite the restricted mobility — everything from cutting to sprinting — Knapp hopes to eventually play a significant role in ASU’s new shotgun-heavy offense.
“A lot of coaches have high expectations from me, and I’ve heard from plenty of people out there who think I’m going to be really good,” Knapp said. “I hope I can be really good — I think I can be really good.”
Given the mental strain of rehabilitation, Knapp has had to do his best to train his mind to trust the recovery. When healthy, Knapp won’t need a daily affirmation — the praise will be everywhere for the potential impact player.
Knapp was recruited as a multi-purpose tight end with the ability to aid in the running game and help protect the edges in the passing game, with enough speed and soft enough hands to be a threat from the seam to the red zone.
“You’ll use him more in the passing game than we did a year ago,” ASU head coach Dennis Erickson said.
Knapp, who said he’s at 90 percent overall, sees himself being able to fill all roles of the position this year — especially when he’s fully recovered.
“I’d like to think that I have something in each area [pass blocking, route running],” Knapp said. “As of right now, my routes aren’t as up to par as my blocking, but that all comes in time. I’m running around with this big-old new brace.”
Standing in line
Given the glut of recent injuries to ASU offensive linemen this summer and fall, it wouldn’t be a surprise if redshirt freshman Andrew Sampson got time at one of the guard positions, or perhaps center, when the Sun Devils face Idaho State on Saturday.
Sampson, a natural guard, has taken most of his snaps at center throughout camp.
“He’s very smart, very physical for a guy his age,” Erickson said. “[He] doesn’t miss a lot of assignments. For a redshirt freshman, he is ahead of his time.”
Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu.
