ASU tight ends making fewer plays but excelling in supporting roles
TEMPE, Ariz. -- There have not been many surprises through Arizona State's first two games, but tight end De'Marieya Nelson's stat line perhaps could be considered the biggest, at least on the offense side: 0 receptions, 0 carries, 0 yards.
Neither Nelson nor sophomore tight end Kody Kohl has a reception this season, and the tight end has had a muted role in ASU's offense so far, but tight ends coach Chip Long says that won't last.
"The opportunities will present themselves, but they're doing a great job doing what we ask them to do right now," Long said. "The catches are going to come. I don't worry about that one bit."
One of the big reasons tight ends haven't been more involved in a playmaking sense is the success of ASU's run game. D.J. Foster ranks third in the nation in rushing yards, and ASU has rushed for 690 yards through two games.
"Whenever you can rush for about 500 yards, obviously we're going to keep pounding the rock," Long said.
Also a factor: ASU's depth at wide receiver. At no point in the last two seasons did ASU have as many quality receiving options as it does now. With Foster, junior Jaelen Strong and sophomore Cameron Smith as primary targets, offensive touches are harder to come by for tight ends.
But while receivers are often judged by their statistics, Long says ASU doesn't put much weight in the numbers. Nelson and Kohl have been invaluable as blockers and played a big part of ASU racking up 423 yards on the ground against New Mexico last week.
"If we're winning they could care less (about catches)," Long said. "I want to rush for 500 yards. That's how we're going to win a national championship. That's how we're going to win the Pac-12. You've got to be able to run the ball. The passes are going to take care of themselves."
Nelson, who made the Mackey Award watch list for the nation's top tight end, has been targeted a few times, but he and quarterback Taylor Kelly have yet to connect. Nelson is also handling two-way duties, rushing the quarterback on passing third downs from the Devil-backer position.
"That whole deal is going to evolve these next 10 games, and in Pac-12 play everybody throws it," Long said. "We'll be able to rest him, and then he'll have his packages on offense -- kind of like what he did last year, but he'll be a lot better player at it."
Both Nelson and Kohl have impressed Long with their physicality and ability to open things up for other playmakers. Coach Todd Graham also praised Kohl on Wednesday.
"He's done a tremendous job blocking," Graham said. "He provides a toughness and a physicality to that 3-back tight end position. He's been one of the guys that I think has really stepped up and been a pleasant surprise."
With Pac-12 play beginning, it will get tougher for ASU to run the ball. Nelson and Kohl should get more opportunities with the ball.
"Tight end is still going to be a major deal for us," Long said. "They're going to make plays."
Through two games, ASU has had six players start in its defensive secondary. Two more have seen reps with the first-team defense. This week at Colorado, ASU will likely start its third different combination of defensive backs in as many weeks.
"It needs to emerge with four guys," Graham said.
Graham is still looking for a firm top four in the backfield. Junior cornerback Lloyd Carrington and senior safety Damarious Randall remain entrenched as starters, but the other two spots are in flux.
Junior Jordan Simone, after a strong performance against New Mexico, is expected to start at boundary safety against Colorado, as he did in ASU's season opener. Redshirt freshman James Johnson, last week's starter, has shifted to backup free safety.
"We all push each other, and I think that's what's so great about our secondary: There's never a dull moment as far as competing," Simone said.
Redshirt freshman Marcus Ball, who spent last week at spur linebacker, is also in the mix at boundary safety along with Johnson.
At boundary cornerback, freshman Armand Perry appears to have secured the starting job for another week, but junior Kweishi Brown is apparently not far behind. Freshman Chad Adams is also getting first-team reps at the position. Graham likes ASU's depth there but would prefer consistency.
"I think all those guys will play until somebody emerges," Graham said. "I like that we have five guys who are working, I just would like to have two that are better than everyone else."
-- After Wednesday's practice, Graham had high praise for second-year Colorado coach Mike MacIntyre: "I think he's one of the best coaches in the Pac-12. I think he's done a tremendous job with a very difficult situation, and he's got those guys inspired. They're playing hard."
-- Redshirt junior Antonio Longino took first team reps at Devil-backer in the portion of practice open to the media Wednesday. Redshirt sophomore Edmond Boateng has started there in both of ASU's games but on Wednesday played defensive end. Senior Marcus Washington backed up Longino.
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