Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Mo Latu (left) shoots his hands up to attack sophomore defensive lineman Jaxon Hood during a practice on April 16. Latu is ecstatic to be wearing a white defensive practice jersey again. (Photo by Edmund Hubbard)One ASU football player is happier than the rest.
Redshirt sophomore Mo Latu moved positions from offensive guard to defensive nose tackle last week. Latu was recruited by ASU to be a defensive tackle. He started his career there and then moved to offense.
Now he is back. And he's pumped about it.
One of the biggest players on the team had the biggest smile on his face when he talked about the transition back.
“I was really excited to be back on defense,” Latu said.
His excitement showed during practice Tuesday.
Latu walked off the bus sporting his new white jersey with No. 98. He actively participated in the familiar defense drills.
“It actually helped, because I know the moves already, and on the other side, I know some of the players already,” Latu said.
ASU defensive line coach Jackie Shipp had some extra time with a small group of defensive linemen when the rest of the team was practicing special teams.
During that time, he worked exclusively with Latu and sophomore nose tackle Jaxon Hood to refresh Latu on certain footwork.
Latu moving over to the defensive line added to the Sun Devils' depth, which the team needed.
The offensive line lost a guard. But it isn't lacking depth at that position.
With redshirt junior Sil Ajawara, redshirt sophomore Vi Teofilo and redshirt sophomore Devin Goodman, ASU has a lot of depth at that position.
Latu still got some verbal teasing from his former offensive line teammates when he returned to be a part of the field goal unit’s line upfront.
“The offensive line was not really happy though,” Latu said. “They’re not really happy, because they lost one of the guys, but the defensive gained one, so that’s fine with me.”
For Latu individually, it is also a smart move. He came into ASU to play defensive line and had trouble adjusting to the new position.
He backed up senior Kody Koebensky at center all last season. He moved to guard to start the spring but then got lost in the depth chart.
Now he is behind Hood.
Hood has a strong hold on that position after starting last year as a freshman. Latu does have a chance to get on the field. At 6 feet, 3 inches and 338 pounds, his size allows him to plug the middle and take on double teams.
Interestingly enough, if Latu stays on defense, he will work in the summer to drop some weight and gain some speed to chase ball carriers.
That is one thing that offensive can’t offer a lineman.
“One of the things that I missed the most from defense is hitting the runner and offensive linemen, just bull-rushing them until he just quits,” Latu said.
Injury update
Redshirt junior running back Deantre Lewis did not participate in practice Tuesday due to an injury.
Reach the reporter at ehubbard@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @AZSportsHUB
