Redshirt junior wide receiver Gary Chambers tracks a pass from redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly in a home game against Utah on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. ASU won against Utah in overtime 19-16. (Photo by Alexis Macklin)The absence of redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong from practice today due to personal matters showed a brief glimpse of the potential future offense of ASU.
There’s an assumption in the air that the Sun Bowl on Dec. 27 will be Strong’s final game with ASU. That’s all it is, though: an assumption. Nobody knows for sure except Strong, and even he still seems uncertain.
Head coach Todd Graham warned against assuming the future of players, alluding to mistakes made in the past of athletes declaring too early.
“You don’t get the do-overs in that deal, so don’t just assume that something’s going to happen,” he said.
If he decides that staying at ASU is best for him, the receiving depth chart will likely stay the same, just with some improved players. If he leaves, an opening will appear.
Sophomore wide receiver Cameron Smith appears to be a front-runner in this potential race. He was the number two wide receiver in terms of receptions and receiving yards last year, with 596 yards on 41 catches and six touchdowns. Predominately a downfield threat, his speed allows him to get by defenders. He doesn’t possess the same strength and athleticism Strong has, though.
Junior running back D.J. Foster had more receptions (59) and yards (649) than Smith. With the emergence of freshman running back Demario Richard, Foster could see even more targets. However, he doesn't fit the mold of a number one receiver.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Gary Chambers could fight for a larger role on offense. He has improved immensely and has good footwork and speed to go along with his strength. He filled the slot role this year and spent a lot of time blocking defenders.
Chambers said he gets a lot of space to work with in the middle of the field, but he would like a bigger role.
“I definitely think I could play any role on the field that they need me to play,” he said. “It’d be nice to produce as much as possible but I definitely like helping the team.”
He had a pair of acrobatic catches Friday in the back right corner of the end zone. He was running a drill with receivers and defensive backs only and redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly lofted a ball that he jumped for and snagged over the defender.
Chambers showcased his talent at gaining a little bit of space off defenders, just enough to get a ball into his hands.
Typically in practice, the quarterbacks split reps pretty equally. Friday, Kelly had far more reps than redshirt junior Mike Bercovici in preparation for the bowl game. When Bercovici did throw, it took him a little while to get warmed up and early on missed a lot of his receivers.
Though Bercovici has struggled with accuracy at times, he has been playing well with redshirt freshman wide receiver Ellis Jefferson. The two, who are roommates, have connected on many long passes.
“I know he’s a younger guy and he’s still learning but it’s going to be exciting for his future,” Bercovici said.
Bercovici enters the 2015 season in the drivers seat for the starting quarterback job. Graham said it’s dangerous to make assumptions, but after waiting four years and showing moderate success this year, it would take a tremendous effort from someone like freshmen Manny Wilkins and Coltin Gerhart or recruits Brady White or Bryce Perkins to steal that title from him.
Bercovici was confident in his receiving core, even with the possibility of losing Strong. He doesn’t think he’ll need to have a primary target.
“We’re going to have so many weapons,” he said before rattling off a list of receivers and running backs who he thinks will be threats. “They’re going to be all incorporated on offense and I think we’ll be able to attack defenses in so many ways.”
Reach the reporter at logan.newman@asu.edu or follow him on Twitter @Logan_Newsman
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