TEMPE, Ariz. -- Just two days into Arizona State's spring football practice, the Sun Devils have learned they could be without two projected starters for the 2015 season.
On Monday, it was reported that Devilbacker Davon Durant was suspended indefinitely as ASU awaits his status following domestic assault charges. A day later, head coach Todd Graham said that starting receiver Cameron Smith will likely miss the 2015 season after electing to undergo knee surgery. The injury dates back to last season.
"I'll just tell you it was a very unusual injury to the knee. It wasn't ACL, it wasn't anything like that," Graham said. "It's something he dealt with all year long. He got two or three different opinions, and then we just thought the best thing, the best interest for him in the long term, was to have surgery."
Smith's recovery timetable is set around seven to eight months. Although that puts a potential return somewhere in the middle of the college football season, Graham said he expects the receiver to redshirt.
The Sun Devils' third-leading receiver in 2014, Smith hauled in 41 passes for 596 yards and six touchdowns.
Senior D.J. Foster, who was making the transition from starting running back to slot receiver, is now taking reps at Smith's outside spot. Coaches say Foster will be able to play running back or any wide receiver spot next year and like what they've seen of him working with his new position group.
Smith's loss creates opportunities for Jalen Harvey, Eric Lauderdale and Tyler Whiley to have larger roles, and the Sun Devils also have some other potential options among their running back corps.
During Tuesday's practice, De'Chavon "Gump" Hayes played at the inside receiver spot. Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard could do the same, meaning the Sun Devils could run out formations with three explosive backs on the field at the same time.
Devilbacker Davon Durant's girlfriend, the alleged victim in his assault case, told ESPN that she lied to police about being struck and choked by Durant on March 7.
The woman, named by ESPN as Kelsi Langley, said she told Tempe Police that Durant hit her because she was feeling spiteful after finding texts from other women on Durant's phone. She said she was trying to make a scene.
She met with police a day after the incident and said the bruising on her neck that officers noted in the police report were from "hickeys." The police department confirmed she admitted to lying to police, but because of other witness accounts that led to the police intervention, Durant was still charged, per ESPN.
On Tuesday, Graham said the news does not change Durant's situation. He will remain suspended until the legal process and any punishment from the university are determined.
--Left tackle Evan Goodman suffered a minor leg injury in practice. After the injury, he continued to work out with the players in non-contact jerseys on the sideline and walked with a noticeable limp. Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell didn't think it was a serious injury. Redshirt freshman Sam Jones took reps as the starting left tackle, and true freshman Steve Miller is also in the mix with Goodman to win the starting job, Graham said.
--ASU will wear full pads on Thursday after wearing shorts and doing non-tackling scrimmages the first two days of spring camp.
--2015 quarterback signee Bryce Perkins from Chandler High School visited practice.
--Though Durant's situation clouds the options at Devil backer, Graham said his team is likely to play with a true Devil backer in 2015, rather than use a bigger defensive lineman as it often did last season. Redshirt sophomore A.J. Latu has gotten looks as a first-team Devil backer, while Ismael Murphy-Richardson remains the "very raw, very, very talented" option there, Graham said.
--Early enrollee freshman Nick Ralston, a 6-1, 220-pound back and linebacker from Argyle, Texas, has gotten enough snaps at running back during camp to impress Graham.
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