The next-man-up mentality is one all football teams aspire to have. For ASU, this mentality has defined the team throughout the 2025 season.
Entering the Sun Devils' week 12 matchup against West Virginia, the injury report is scattered with key contributors on both sides of the ball. 16 players have already been ruled out according to azcentral, including star wideout redshirt junior Jordyn Tyson, who will miss his third straight game. Another handful of players are expected to be questionable.
The already ailing Sun Devil roster took two more huge hits the past couple of weeks as redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt and redshirt senior defensive back Xavion Alford were announced to be missing the remainder of the season.
Head coach Kenny Dillingham's squad has had a slew of unlikely contributors with the surplus of injuries, admiring his team's resilience through these challenges.
"When the glass is empty, we fill it back up," Dillingham said. "I love how they care about each other and the way we compete for one another. I think it shows."
College football journeyman and redshirt senior, Jeff Sims, was thrust into the spotlight and made the most of it, breaking ASU’s single-game rushing record for a quarterback, totaling 228 yards on the ground, and leading the Sun Devils to a 24-19 victory over Iowa State. His performance earned AP National Player of the Week honors for week 10.
Sims, in his sixth year of college football, picked up his first win as a starter for the Sun Devils in his third game as the starting quarterback, dating back to the 2024 season.
"He's everything that’s right with college football," Dillingham said. "He earned a lot of respect not just in our locker room but nationally."
Sims looks to end his college football career strong, leading the Sun Devils into their final three regular-season games.
"I’m blessed for the opportunity to be here," Sims said. "I look at it with humility, and just come out here and enjoy the process, you got to love the game ... being ready for my moment, that's my job."
READ MORE: Sims sets record as injury-riddled ASU football defeats Iowa State, becomes bowl eligible
The Sun Devils' pass-catching group, including redshirt senior Malik McClain, redshirt junior Jalen Moss and redshirt senior Chamon Metayer, has stepped up in Tyson’s absence, helping ASU spread the field.
"You have to go out and have guys put demands on other guys and have role players in other positions that have to go out there and make plays," offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said.
The defensive side of the ball has been a strong unit all season long, allowing 23.7 points per game — a number that is inflated by the 42 points allowed in the loss to Utah. Excluding that game, the defense has allowed 21.4 points per game.
This comes despite Alford missing most of the season and redshirt senior defensive lineman Prince Dorbah missing the game against Iowa State and parts of the Houston and Texas Tech games.
Senior linebacker Jordan Crook and redshirt senior defensive lineman Justin Wodtly made some noise for the unit against Iowa State, as they were number two and three in total tackles, respectively.
"I think those guys are playing together really well," Dillingham said. "When everybody is on the same page, we're playing good defense."
As injuries continue to shape the roster and ASU clings to faint Big 12 Championship hopes, the Sun Devils' next-man-up mentality will be tested more than ever down the stretch.
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at eapache3@asu.edu.
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