Deciding to take a redshirt season can be a blessing for a young college football player. Yet, twin brothers A.J. and Viliami Latu decided not to take one.
Recently, the brothers were summoned to special teams coordinator Joe Lorig’s office. Lorig had an option for the Latus.
“They really wanted us on special teams because, I guess, (of) our physicality of the game. We love to hit,” A.J. said. “I told him, ‘Whatever they need (from) me, I’m going to do it for the team, wherever they need me at.'”
The Sun Devils would need A.J. against Wisconsin, where he made what was potentially a touchdown saving tackle on a third quarter kickoff.
“All I can remember was that was our first kickoff, I was super nervous,” A.J. said. “Just running downfield, (I) avoided the block. I was running and saw the guy come out from the whole bunch and just made the tackle. I was the only one there.”
A.J. said he didn’t know until later that he had made a touchdown-saving tackle.
“We watched film, and I was the only one there to make the tackle, and I was really excited,” A.J. said.
Coach Todd Graham said he is excited about his freshman group of linebackers and praised the contribution the Latus are making on special teams.
“So probably what was best for (the Latu brothers) was to redshirt but what is best for our team is for them to play,” Graham said at his weekly press conference Monday.“They didn’t even hesitate saying, ‘Coach, we want to help the team in whatever way we can,’ and they did a great job.”
Notes
- Freshman wide receiver Cam Smith saw some action with the second team at practice today and made a great catch over redshirt sophomore cornerback Solomon Means.- Graduate student safety Shane McCullen, senior Bandit safety and Alden Darby’s backup, was sporting the green no-contact jersey at practice today.
Reach the reporter at ejsmith7@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @ericsmith_sp
