TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State's fall camp is only a couple days old and already one key position battle has taken an interesting twist.
After Wednesday evening's newcomers practice, coach Todd Graham added a new name to the mix in the battle for the field safety job: freshman James Johnson. Johnson wasn't initially expected to compete for the job with Laiu Moeakiola, Ezekiel Bishop, Marcus Ball and Damarious Randall, but he has made a big impression in two practices.
"How we communicate, he understands it just like that," Graham said. "He gets the concepts. We tell him once and he’s got it. You've got to be smart, and I think he's very smart. Marcus Ball is the same way. But (Johnson) is actually communicating as good as anybody we have. The free safety is our quarterback, so he's got to get everybody lined up. That's the main thing.
"And he can flat run. But we’ll see when we put the pads on. Be able to tell a lot more."
Johnson, listed at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, came into camp a bit under the radar, with the likes of Ball and Randall arriving with more acclaim. Ball has also impressed through the first two days of camp, while Randall is a little behind the eight ball in the competition, as he still has not been academically cleared to practice.
Moeakiola, meanwhile, has the advantage of experience. He played in two games last season before a hamstring injury kept him out the rest of the way. Moeakiola has been getting first-team action at the position in veteran practices, but Thursday night's practice could be more telling, as that workout will see the veterans and newcomers together for the first time.
It's probably a safe bet Moeakiola takes first-team reps again given his experience in the defense, but coaches will likely want to get a look at each guy against the first-team offense.
There was a good deal of chatter on ASU's first day of camp about players coaching each other and holding each other accountable on the field. At Wednesday's evening practice for newcomers, senior safety Alden Darby took the idea to the next level.
Darby showed up for the practice voluntarily, same as he had the night before. This time, though, Darby did more than watch. He was on the field coaching young teammates about positioning and defensive reads, right alongside Graham and other defensive coaches. On the sidelines, he gave newcomers pointers and encouraged the defense during 11-on-11 periods.
"Darby will be a great coach one of these days," Graham said. "He's just a phenomenal young person. He loves this place. His leadership and the walk that he's had since we've been here has been impressive."
Graham also mentioned Darby's name after the morning practice in discussion of team leaders and the process of deciding team captains. Defensive tackle Will Sutton and quarterback Taylor Kelly appear locks to be captains, but if ASU goes with more than two, Darby looks to be next in line.
Darby has long been a vocal presence in the defense and made a quick impression on the new coaching staff last season. It appears he will have no problem helping to fill the leadership void created when linebacker Brandon Magee graduated.
-- Defensive back Damarious Randall and wide receiver Joe Morris, both junior college transfers, have been cleared to practice and were dressed for Thursday night's practice. Neither wore pads, as they must first go through an acclimation period. Graham said he expects another player to be cleared Friday, presumably wide receiver Jaelen Strong. Linebacker Eriquel Florence has not been seen at practice and, like Strong, is still awaiting academic clearance.
-- Defensive lineman Mo Latu spent most of practice on a stationary bike. He had knee surgery recently and looked to be hurting a bit early in practice. Latu also has a good deal of weight to lose but is expected to contribute on the defensive line.
-- Freshman wide receiver Joseph Smith continues to impress coaches. Graham said Smith on Wednesday ran an impressive seven-cut corner route. "I actually walked over and said, 'Coach, did you see that seven?'" Graham said of a conversation with an assistant. "I have not seen a seven-cut like that since I've been here. That was very exciting to see."
-- Graham has mentioned needing to get redshirt freshman linebacker Carlos Mendoza "in football shape," and Mendoza himself said he needs to regain his stamina. Mendoza, who is competing for the starting spur linebacker job, apparently experienced knee soreness and swelling recently that caused him to miss the final week of the summer strength and conditioning program. Mendoza said the knee "feels great" now and is not holding him back.
