College Football

ASU Football: 2017 Season Outlook, Part Two

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:59 a.m. ET

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Fansided, Hunter Robinson/FanSided via Devils in Detail

Even though the 2016 season may be over, it is never too early to look ahead to all the excitement that the 2017 season will bring for ASU football.

The 2017 season will bring a whole new wave of excitement to the ASU football program. While there will be questions that demand to be answered, positivity will surround the Sun Devils. With all those positive emotions, some people will fail to take a step back and look at the program through a more objective lens. Here at Devils in Detail, we believe there is no better time to do that then right after the previous season has come to a close. Here is part two of our 2017 season outlook.

To read part one, click here.

A big issue that will need to be addressed is the defense, that is not a secret. The way the defense will improve remains to be seen. The biggest impact on the defense will come through recruiting. Gaining high quality players on the defensive side of the ball will be crucial to improving the defensive unit, where a majority of players will be returning for the 2017 season. head coach Todd Graham has always had success recruiting junior college transfers and transfers in general. Following up his big catch of transfer quarterback Blake Barnett with a few other big transfer targets will help the defense get to where they need to be.

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Another big issue will be how they use N’Keal Harry. Harry had a stellar season as a true freshman, and he proved that he will have no problem stepping into the No. 1 receiver spot. How ASU decides to use Harry will be interesting. Every single opposing defense will know how big of a threat he can be, and they will make sure that he is covered at all times. Using that coverage to your advantage is the key for ASU football.

Do they have him run across the middle, in traffic, to help create space between his defender and himself? Do they have him run straight up the sideline and use his speed and size to outplay his defender? Or do they simply just allow him to be covered and realize that, with him covered by the opposing team’s No. 1 cornerback, there will be other receivers open? It will be interesting to see how the use of Harry grows now that he will be the No. 1 option for the team.

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