2008 saw a dismal performance by the Arizona State Sun Devils, finishing at 4-5 conference and 5-7 overall. After first the season 2-0 beating the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks (30-13) and the Stanford Cardinal (41-17), the Sun Devils went on a six game slide, effectively ending any promise at a full Bowl game at seasons end, thus ending quarterback Rudy Carpenters career on a false note.
To take matters worse, Arizona State had a risk to complete the season even at 6-6, going into the annual season ending game against rival University Arizona Wildcats, in the Territorial Cup, only to lose (10-31).
2009 holds a bit of a promising outlook as the Sun Devils have had a pretty strong recruiting season. Third class coach Dennis Erickson has been exploited to signing the highly sought after recruits from his years of glory as the National Champions at Miami. This off season, the Sun Devils had the opportunity to sign home state stand-out defensive player Devon Kennard, but missed him to conference heavy-weight University of Southern California Trojans. However, even with this deprivation there is hope as Coach Erickson was capable to sign linebacker Vontaze Burfict, the highest-rated signee in school history, from Centennial High School in Corona, Calif. away from the Trojans. Burfict has begun to be compared to Ravens star Linebacker, Ray Lewis, who was the greatest player Coach Erickson had ever signed.
Arizona State has also picked up a few others that leave hope for this coming season as starters, or as back-ups to study the system behind proven players, so they can get in the seasons to come. With 240 tackles and 34 sacks during his three-year prep career, Defensive Tackle Corey Adams from Scottsdale Saguaro High should give no problems jumping directly into the mix this coming season. The Sun Devils Offensive Line has allowed a terrible amount of sacks over the final match of seasons, which should allow Kody Koebensky of Scottsdale, AZ to get right away. The local stand-out can represent either Defend or Tackle.
Overall, after putting together a great recruiting class in 2008, which ranked as highly as 16th in the nation, Erickson managed to put together another excellent group of newcomers consisting of elite athletes from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Montana and Utah. Ericksons latest group consists of 21 student athletes, consisting of 19 high school players and two junior college transfers, while excellent talent, speed and athleticism has been enhanced at every spot on the team. Nine of these players rated among the top 30 in the country at their positions.
Though with any program there are growing pains as players graduate or leave early for the draft, this flavor is shaping up to be one of promise. Of course perhaps not an immediate rise to the top 25 but at least better than last season, and hopefully a storm in the correct direction. Behind the leaders of Dennis Erickson, this gifted young group has nowhere to go but up.
Freddie Brister is a big fan of college football. Freddie would care for you to see out his Glenna Jean Crib Bedding collection . He would also wish for you to have a smell at the Glenna Jean Coco collection .
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