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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Arizona State
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  12/13/20 - Jackson He, rSr/2023, Arizona State, 5-09, 215 (DS#999 RB) + More +

  Arizona State football made Territorial Cup history in multiple ways Friday night including on its opening and closing touchdowns in a 70-7 thrashing of Arizona. D.J. Taylor returned the opening kickoff 100 yards - or unofficially 108 from where he fielded the ball - in a tone-setting play that he said after the game "took all their hope out" after watching the replay multiple times. The Sun Devils wrapped up the barrage, reaching a Territorial Cup record 70 points, on a 1-run touchdown run by Jackson He, becoming the first Chinese-born player to carry the ball and score in a Football Bowl Subdivision game.

ASU's sideline erupted in celebration for He, who came to the United States when he was 17 and after playing high school football in California persisted in trying to be a walk-on at ASU until he was given a tryout and an opportunity. "I've received a lot of (text) messages already," He said. "I strongly feel their love and passion for this sport. I'm just blessed to have this opportunity to be the first one. I'm the first one but not the last one. There are going to be more Chinese stepping to the States." - Arizona Republic


(DS#999 RB) rSr/2023 RB Jackson He, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  12/10/20 - Tyler Johnson, rSr/2022, Arizona State, 6-4, 281 (DS#30 DE) + More +

  Junior defensive end Tyler Johnson was the bright spot on defense in Saturday's loss. The Highland High School product had six tackles, three sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry, earning Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. He shifted from linebacker this season to help with the pass rush and has been a key factor in ASU's significant improvement there.

"He is one of the bright spots on defense right now for us as far as rushing the quarterback, getting to the quarterback. He made a couple of plays in the UCLA game, one-on-one tackles with their quarterback. Very difficult to do," Edwards said. "Tyler did a great job of rushing the pocket and keeping the quarterback contained and he made some plays. He's been a bright spot defensively for the plays he's made. He's always been a guy that could make a play or two but he had a pretty consistent game (against UCLA), I felt. One of his most consistent games since he's been here." Johnson is the first Sun Devil with three sacks in a game since Koron Crump who accompished that against Washington State on Oct. 22, 2016. - Arizona Republic


(DS#30 DE) rSr/2022 DE Tyler Johnson, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  After not making the trip to Las Vegas last week, Xazavian Valladay (leg) was listed as the No. 2 running back behind Trey Smith on UW's updated depth chart Monday. But Bohl said Valladay will be back at practice this week and should be available in some capacity Saturday. "I don't know if he's going to be serviceable or if he's going to be 100 percent," Bohl said. "We'll know as the week goes along." - Casper Star-Tribune

(DS#19 RB) rSr/2023 RB Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State
News Source: Casper Star-Tribune
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  12/07/20 - Tyler Johnson, rSr/2022, Arizona State, 6-4, 281 (DS#30 DE) + More +

  DEC 7 PAC-12 DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK: Tyler Johnson, Jr., DL, Arizona State,...With his 4.5 tackle for loss and three-sack performance, Tyler Johnson became the first Sun Devil with four tackles for loss since Tashon Smallwood against New Mexico State in Aug. 31, 2017...Johnson is the first Sun Devil with three sacks in a game since Koron Crump vs. Washington State on Oct. 22, 2016...The junior has two-career multi-sack games, both coming against the Bruins...Johnson's second sack of the game came in the second quarter when UCLA had it first and goal at the five. The 11-yard loss eventually forced UCLA to settle for a field goal...On UCLA's first drive of the fourth quarter, Johnson had a TFL for -3 and then teamed with teammate D.J. Davidson for a TFL of -5 that forced UCLA to punt after the Bruins failed to convert on 3rd & 18. ASU took its first lead of the game on the ensuing drive...Also nominated: Mustafa Johnson, DE, Colorado; Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon; Thomas Schaffer, DE, Stanford; Nick Figueroa, DL, USC; Mika Tafua, DE, Utah. - Pac-12 Football

(DS#30 DE) rSr/2022 DE Tyler Johnson, Arizona State
News Source: Pac-12 Football
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  Earlier this week Arizona State junior safety Aashari Crosswell was suspended for a minor team infraction. Turns out, he won't be coming back. The 6-foot, 200-pounder out of Long Beach Poly High School (Calif.) is opting out of the rest of the season to prepare for the NFL draft. He is the first player from the Sun Devils to make that decision this season. He announced the decision both on his Instagram and Twitter. Crosswell had been a mainstay in the lineup since he arrived as a true freshman in 2018, moving into the starting group in the third game and earning All-Pac-12 honorable mention accolades. Last season as a sophomore he managed 50 tackles, two interceptions, 10 breakups, three forced fumbles and one recovery. - Arizona Republic

(DS#22 FS) Jr/2021 FS *Aashari Crosswell, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  Wyoming is still awaiting word on its top running back. UW coach Craig Bohl said Monday afternoon he still didn't have any information on the status of Xazavian Valladay, who was injured in the Cowboys' win at UNLV last week. Bohl said after the game Valladay would undergo an MRI on his left leg. "We'll get some more information later on (Monday)," Bohl said. "If I had it right now, I'd give it to you."

Valladay left the game early in the second quarter after being upended at the tail end of his lone reception, ending what had been a prolific day for the junior up to that point. Valladay had 94 yards on his first six carries, including a career-long 78-yard touchdown run on UW's second play from scrimmage. The Cowboys kept things moving on the ground in Valladay's absence, finishing with a season-high 399 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Valladay's running mate, Trey Smith, stepped in to rush for a career-high 164 yards as UW averaged a whopping 7 yards per carry. - Casper Star-Tribune


(DS#19 RB) rSr/2023 RB Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State
News Source: Casper Star-Tribune
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  12/01/20 - Jack Jones, rSr/2022, Arizona State, 5-11, 177 (DS#34 CB) + More +

  The Arizona State football team is busily preparing for its first game in a month but those preparations have been derailed a bit as junior safety Aashari Crosswell and senior corner back Jack Jones have been suspended indefinitely according to a team spokesman. Jones was a starter in the Sun Devils season opener against USC, tallying five tackles and a pass breakup. Crosswell was a starter his first two seasons at ASU but played only sparingly in the opener and did so primarily on special teams. It is unknown whether the two will be available for ASU's game on Saturday against UCLA at Sun Devil Stadium but missing at least some practice time wouldn't weigh in their favor. - Arizona Republic

(DS#34 CB) rSr/2022 CB Jack Jones, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  11/30/20 - Jeff Sims, rSr/2026, Arizona State, 6-4, 222 (DS#48 RB) + More +

  NOV 30 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech, Fr., QB, Jacksonville, Fla.,...Sims rushed for 108 yards and threw for three touchdowns to help lead Georgia Tech to its highest offensive output in more than two years in a 56-33 win over Duke ... Became only the ninth FBS player this season and the first freshman (true or redshirt) to rush for 100 yards and pass for three touchdowns in a game this season ... His 108 rushing yards and three touchdowns were both career highs and came on just 12 carries (9.0 avg.) ... 107 of his 108 rushing yards and two of his three touchdown passes came in the second half, as the Yellow Jackets stretched their two-point halftime lead (28-26) into the decisive 23-point victory. - ACC Football

(DS#48 RB) rSr/2026 RB Jeff Sims, Arizona State
News Source: ACC Football
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  11/28/20 - Jeff Sims, rSr/2026, Arizona State, 6-4, 222 (DS#48 RB) + More +

  Jeff Sims threw three touchdown passes and ran for 108 yards, setting career highs, and Georgia Tech beat turnover-plagued Duke 56-33 on Saturday night as each team returned from long layoffs. Georgia Tech (3-5, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) ended a three-game losing streak. Freshman Jahmyr Gibbs had touchdown runs of 61 and 26 yards in the first half before leaving with an apparent hamstring injury. Thanks to Sims and Jordan Mason, who ran for 105 yards, Georgia Tech had 377 yards rushing even with Gibbs missing the second half. Chase Brice threw two scoring passes for Duke (2-7, 1-7), but the Blue Devils had five turnovers, including four lost fumbles. Duke committed turnovers on its first three possessions of the second half.

Georgia Tech led 28-26 at halftime before Sims threw 24-yard scoring passes to Jalen Camp and Adonicas Sanders in the third quarter. Sims had a 12-yard touchdown pass to Malachi Carter in the first quarter. Each team was returning from long layoffs caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Duke was playing for the first time since a 56-24 loss to North Carolina on Nov. 7. Georgia Tech had not played since a 31-13 loss to No. 2 Notre Dame on Oct. 31. Georgia Tech dominated the first quarter but freshman Nate McCollum fumbled while backing up near the Yellow Jackets 5 to field a punt, and Shaka Heyward recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. - Georgia Tech/AP College Football


(DS#48 RB) rSr/2026 RB Jeff Sims, Arizona State
News Source: Georgia Tech/AP College Football
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  What has impressed Arizona State defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez most about sophomore Michael Matus isn't the work he has done on the football field, it's the focus he also has away from it. Matus, a 6-foot-2, 253-pounds from Katy, Texas, played little last year but has worked his way into the Sun Devils starting lineup at defensive end. It was a surprise with junior linebacker-turned-defensive end Tyler Johnson the one most had pegged for that starting spot. Rodriguez, who came to ASU after coaching the same position for the Minnesota Vikings, is a stickler for detail, and he isn't always the easiest coach to impress. Matus has been one athlete who has done so.

"He asks all the right questions and he is a quick study," Rodriguez said. "He'll see something in a game he watched on television and then come to me the next day and ask about it. He's always thinking and focusing on what he needs to do to get better, not just when he's on the football field. There aren't a lot of guys that think that way." Rodriguez is the school's sixth position coach in as many years, so Matus has had a lot of voices when it comes to the intricacies of the defensive line. He was recruited by previous head coach Todd Graham but opted to honor his commitment to the school despite the coaching change. As a true freshman he contributed on the scout team. Then last season he saw some time as a reserve in certain packages and on special teams. - Arizona Republic


(DS#999 DE) rSr/2024 DE Michael Matus, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  NOV 9 PAC-12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Merlin Robertson, Jr., LB, Arizona State (Carson, Calif.),...Robertson recorded a fumble recovery and interception against No. 20 USC, and now has two interceptions in his past three games dating back to last season....He also posted 10 combined tackles, including one tackle for loss and five solo tackles...Kept USC from a potential tying or go-ahead score in the final minutes of the first half when he made a diving interception off the arm of Kedon Slovis at the ASU 10-yard line...Late in the third quarter, Robertson tackled USC RB Stephen Carr for a one-yard loss on 4th & 1 at the ASU 6...Ended another USC drive in the fourth quarter after recovering a fumble forced by teammate Evan Fields. Also nominated: Isaiah Lewis, S, Colorado; Isaiah Pola-Mao, S, USC; Ron Stone Jr., E, Washington State. - Pac-12 Football

(DS#44 OLB) Sr/2023 OLB Merlin Robertson, Arizona State
News Source: Pac-12 Football
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  Merlin Robertson is back: He was the Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2018 but had a tough sophomore season, although his play did pick up in the last couple of games. With the media unable to watch practices it was tough to gauge where Robertson was heading into the season although coaches and teammates praised his off-season preparations. That showed on Saturday. A leaner, more fit Robertson had an acrobatic interception in the second quarter and stopped a USC ball call carrier on a fourth and 1 at the ASU 6, finishing with 10 tackles, the interception and a fumble recovery. - Arizona Republic

(DS#44 OLB) Sr/2023 OLB Merlin Robertson, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  11/09/20 - Frank Darby, rSr/2021, Arizona State, 6-0, 201 (DS#29 WR) + More +

  Frank Darby needs to be a huge part of the offense: The senior was being looked at the heir to Brandon Aiyuk as the vertical, big-play threat in the passing game. When he left the game in the first half with a rib injury, it left a huge void in the ASU offense with no other receivers who had more than eight catches last year. ASU has some promising young receivers, but they're still learning. Darby's absence was particularly glaring when the Sun Devils needed to rally in the last minute after USC took a lead. - Arizona Republic

(DS#29 WR) rSr/2021 WR Frank Darby, Arizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  Xazavian Valladay and Trey Smith each rushed for 85-plus yards and two touchdowns, and Wyoming cruised past Hawaii 31-7 on Friday night. Valladay carried it 32 times for 163 yards and Smith gained 89 yards on 20 runs for Wyoming (1-1, 1-1 Mountain West), which has won nine straight home games. Levi Williams passed for 112 yards. Valladay's 18-yard touchdown on the opening possession was the only TD over 7 yards for either team. He added a 6-yard score, and Smith had scoring runs of 1 and 2 yards. Chevan Cordeiro was 10-of-26 passing for 106 yards with one interception for Hawaii (1-1, 1-1). Dae Dae Hunter scored Hawaii's lone touchdown on a 3-yard run to pull to 10-7 in the second quarter. The Rainbow Warriors were outgained 281-123 on the ground and turned it over twice. Wyoming claimed the Paniolo Trophy for the 15th time in the 25 meetings between the schools. - Wyoming/AP College Football

(DS#19 RB) rSr/2023 RB Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State
News Source: Wyoming/AP College Football
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  10/12/20 - Jeff Sims, rSr/2026, Arizona State, 6-4, 222 (DS#48 RB) + More +

  OCT 12 ACC ROOKIE OF THE WEEK: Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech, Fr., Jacksonville, Fla.,...Recognized as ACC Rookie of the Week for the second time following his performance in Friday night's 46-27 win over visiting Louisville...Amassed 313 yards of total offense (249 passing, 64 rushing) and accounted for three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing)...Only quarterback in the nation that has passed for 240 yards and rushed for 60 yards three times this season...Helped lead Georgia Tech to its highest point total since Oct. 25, 2018 - a span of 21 games...Led the Yellow Jackets back from a 21-7 deficit with less than two minutes to go in the first half...The 14-point deficit tied for the third largest that Georgia Tech has ever overcome in a victory and tied for the second largest the Jackets have overcome in an ACC win (behind only a 21-point deficit in a 41-38 win over Virginia in 1998). - ACC Football

(DS#48 RB) rSr/2026 RB Jeff Sims, Arizona State
News Source: ACC Football
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