Pac-12 Football: Top 10 players heading into spring games
By Zach Bigalke
Last year, Arizona State went through a quarterback grinder as one player after another went down with injuries. Manny Wilkins, who eventually took over the starting job in September, was not immune to the trend. He was twice knocked out of games and forced to sit the following week, and when he returned he was unable to get back into a rhythm.
The injuries derailed a promising season, with six straight losses to end the season preventing the Sun Devils from reaching bowl eligibility despite a 5-1 start.
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Wilkins will be under pressure in spring practice to retain his hold on the starting position. Blake Barnett transferred from Alabama and will challenge Wilkins for the lead role.
With dynamic running backs Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard both back this year for the Sun Devils, Todd Graham needs a quarterback he can count on in a make-or-break year for the coach. Whether Wilkins can show progress and fill that role will be a big story to watch this spring.