Redshirt junior linebacker Anthony Jones chases after senior wide receiver Jamal Miles during the Sun Devils’ Spring Game in April. (Photo by Sam Rosenbaum)Despite being touted as one of the top 11 players on the ASU defense, redshirt junior linebacker Anthony Jones has yet to find his way into the starting lineup.
However, following Tuesday’s practice, coach Todd Graham said he views Jones as a starter in this team’s defense and had him take reps with the first team in practice.
“I feel the same way too, but I have to wait my turn,” Jones said. “Whatever it is and wherever they put me, I am going to try my hardest and do whatever I can to help my team.”
While Jones’s “team first” attitude is a necessity, he acknowledges it was not easy to begin the season with the second team.
“It was frustrating at first, but you have to learn to keep a positive attitude and stay patient,” Jones said. “It’s just a mindset. When my number is called, I’ve got to go in and make plays.”
Jones spent fall camp and the beginning of the season working with the linebackers, but ASU’s defense lacks depth and Graham said Jones might be the backup safety as necessary.
However, Graham prefers to keep him at linebacker.
“He can play bandit, he can play ‘spur’ and he can play ‘sam,’” Graham said. “We think ‘sam’ is his best position.”
If Jones is asked to play safety, a position he has not played in college, he will have to revert to his high school days where he played cornerback at Chandler Hamilton High School.
“I love it,” Jones said of playing cornerback. “I feel natural back there and if they put me in, I’m going to make the best of it.”
Graham unhappy with tempo
Following Saturday’s win over NAU, Graham was all smiles, but said the biggest disappointment came in the team’s offensive tempo. Ideally, Graham wants to run a play every 15 seconds and says it is something the team will have to work to.
“We’re probably running a play every 22 seconds right now, which is way too slow,” Graham said. “We’ve got to get that done. That’s the most important thing in our offense and that was the worst thing about game one, so we’ve got to have a big jump from week one to week two.”
Notes:
- Graham has replaced USC coach Lane Kiffin as a voter for the USA Today Coaches Poll.
“It was an honor for them to ask me,” Graham said. “It is something I take great responsibility in … It is something I think is really, really important, the integrity of that poll."
- There were no players in green “non-contact” jerseys, but senior defensive tackle Corey Adams, redshirt freshman linebacker Israel Marshall and sophomore cornerback Rashad Wadood worked out at muscle beach. Wadood will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum and will use his medical redshirt.
- For the second straight day, junior defensive lineman Mike Pennel worked out with the scout team, while redshirt junior Gannon Conway, redshirt senior Toa Tuitea and junior Davon Coleman made up the second-team defensive line.
- Freshman safety Laiu Moeakiola practiced and participated in team drills.
- After injuring his ankle in Saturday’s win, Illinois junior quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase did not practice on Tuesday. His status for Saturday’s game is uncertain.
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu
