The look into the Arizona State Sun Devils secondary position group [defensive backs] will end with more review on the remaining players on the roster. These are going to be the “diamonds in the rough”, overlooked, and under-the-radar players that certainly have a chip on their shoulders, to play regularly.
If you missed it, here is Part 1.
Players (continued)
Conner Lewis – Redshirt Sophomore from Phoenix, AZ. 6’ 2’’ 180lbs. Safety/Defensive back.
*Side note: Lewis entered the transfer portal on October 22, 2021, but no update to transfer status.
Highlights
Research for stats during his short tenure in Tempe – came up with: one game played. Redshirted during Freshman season in 2020. Ranked as a three-star recruit, Connor’s high school career consisted of him playing safety and wide receiver at Boulder Creek High School. His stats include: on offense – 27 receptions for 623 yards and eight TD catches, and on defense – 62 tackles, three interceptions, and eight pass deflections.
Tarik Luckett – Junior (transfer from Colorado) from Lynwood, CA. 6’ 3’’ 205 lbs. Cornerback.
Stats
9 games played; 22 tackles; two interceptions; four passes defended; one forced fumble; one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick.
The transfer from Colorado is here to help bolster the secondary and it is a positive that he came from a in-conference (and division) opponent, as he possesses some junior college and Division 1 experience. If this is a defensive system that he can adjust to and learn quickly – he can play a part in some Nickel and Dime formations at the corner spot.
Kejuan Markham – Senior from Long Beach, CA. 6’ 1’’ 190 lbs. Safety.
Stats
18 games played; 25 solo tackles; 40 total tackles; 0.5 TFLs; one interception; five passes defended, and two fumble recoveries.
Was regarded as one of the top recruits coming into 2019, the former 4-star has appeared and contributed in games during his Freshman season. His Sophomore and Junior seasons were reserve position situations (because of so much DB talent ahead of him at the time) and special teams. Being a seasoned upperclassman may give him the nod to be a part of the secondary rotation at safety.
Keon Markham – Redshirt Junior from Long Beach, CA. 6’ 1’’ 198 lbs. Corner.
Stats
six games played; ten solo tackles; 18 total tackles, and one interception.
Keon is the younger twin brother of teammate Kejuan and has had a similar career trajectory so far – highly regarded incoming freshman, appears and contributes during Freshman season. The Sophomore season is having to be in a reserve and special team role. Interestingly enough, since the Markham brothers are similar in height and build, the brothers could play together at corner and safety, just like they did in high school at California powerhouse Long Beach Poly.
RJ Regan – Sophomore from Lakewood, CA. 6’ 0’’ 180 lbs. Cornerback.
Stats
Research for stats during his short tenure in Tempe – came up with 8 games played, no stats.
A former 3-star recruit, he is in the same vein as teammate Boyd III – looking to obtain some reps in practice and gain some trust from the coaching staff to be put into games. Once again, ability and technique will be what he will need to significantly improve on.
D.J. Taylor – Redshirt Sophomore from Brandon, FL. 5’ 10’’ 200 lbs. Special Teams/Defensive back.
Stats
11 games played; one solo tackle, three total tackles, 32 kick returns; 804 kick return yards; one kick returned for touchdown; 14 punts returned, and 191 punt yards returned.
The former 4-star recruit has a nice little niche as a special teams kick returner, impacting the game to the benefit of the Sun Devils. During his freshman season in 2020, Taylor was graded high by Pro Football Focus as a kick returner (81.1) and performed well. He played in the secondary from time to time, and while he is certainly a lock as the team’s primary kick returner, it remains to be seen if a spot in the secondary will be open for him to make any contribution.
Ro Torrence – Redshirt Junior (transfer from Auburn) from Bessemer, AL. 6’ 4’’ 197 lbs. Cornerback.
Stats
Three games played; five total tackles; one pass defended, and one forced fumble.
Torrence committed to transfer to ASU from Aubrun in April of 2022. He is a tall and lanky corner that played in the SEC and has junior college experience (2020-21 NJCAA and KJCCC Defensive Player of the Year at national champion Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, KS). While it is odd that he is not on the official roster as of yet, he certainly looks the part of at least being a starter for the Sun Devils – given his size and decent experience.
Macen Williams – Redshirt Sophomore from Carson, CA. 5’ 10’’ 170 lbs. Cornerback/Defensive back.
Stats
11 games played; four solo tackles; six total tackles, and three passes defended.
Ed Woods – Redshirt Sophomore from Oakland, CA. 6’ 0’’ 175 lbs. Defensive back.
Stats
Five games played; four solo tackles, and five total tackles.
Review
The Arizona State secondary position group has an obvious pattern of having both young and seasoned players with limited playing time and some have almost having no statistical performances in the games they have entered. With this accumulation of “rookie” players, the idea is that they can be coached up and they will have to endure being exposed to game-time situations as a “baptism by fire” circumstance, to see who accepts the challenge and forges on. Their untapped potential and development will hinge on: exact coaching, the ability to adapt, and being placed in the best possible position to succeed.
While the other defensive position groups have gotten some recognition as being key structures that will define that team, the secondary will be underestimated part of the team,but underestimated has proven to backfire for an opposition and it creates more momentum and confidence for the home team.
The credibility of this group will come from the growing pains during the season and there will be times of questionable optimism for a group that has had to replace departing talent from the previous year. I certainly will watch their growth and provide a belief in them – to perform at the right time, at key moments.