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Can Arizona State football contend in the Pac-12 in 2022?

By Rowan Fisher-Shotton

TEMPE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Herm Edwards of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts on the field following the Territorial Cup game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 38-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Herm Edwards of the Arizona State Sun Devils reacts on the field following the Territorial Cup game against the Arizona Wildcats at Sun Devil Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Wildcats 38-15. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils looks to pass against the Wisconsin Badgers during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the Arizona State Sun Devils looks to pass against the Wisconsin Badgers during the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Badgers defeated the Sun Devils 20-13. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Can the Sun Devils make up for their losses on offense?

In 2021, ASU’s offense wasn’t terrible by any means, particularly in the run department led by former second-team All-Pac 12 running back, Rachaad White. Unfortunately, the passing attack wasn’t explosive enough and the team lost almost all of its key contributors.

As previously mentioned, Arizona State football saw nearly half of its coaching staff from last year leave the program, including offensive coordinator Zak Hill, tight ends coach Adam Breneman and wide receivers coach Prentice Gill. They also witnessed their starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, transfer to LSU, their leading rusher, Rachaad White, get drafted to the NFL, while two of their top receivers in Ricky Pearsall and LV Bunkley-Shelton both departed the program as well.

All of this is to say that for the team to maintain their level of success, let alone build off it, they will need some fresh faces to step up. Thankfully, the offense should still be decent thanks to the quality of players the team was able to bring in through the transfer portal.

Alabama transfer Paul Tyson and Florida transfer Emory Jones might not be as flashy a prospect as Jayson Daniels. However, both were highly recruited out of high school as four-star prospects with multiple D-1 offers and each possesses the physical tools to thrive as a starting QB for a successful CFB program. Jones in particular, who amassed over 3,000 total yards with the Gators last season and has mobility will provide some much-needed assistance in the run department at ASU.

As for the run game, which was Arizona State’s strength in 2021, this should once again be solid next season. There’s no question that losing White will be difficult to manage, but Wyoming transfer Xazavian Valladay is an exceptional talent and one who’s coming of a tremendous three-year stint as the most productive rusher in the Mountain West Conference. So, he could easily have a breakout year with the Sun Devils in 2022. While Emory Jones can move the ball on the ground as well, taking off for over 750 rushing yards last year with the Gators.

The biggest question mark remains with the team’s receiving corps since they lost all of their top receiving options from last year as well as their tight ends and wide receivers coach. Acquiring receiver Cam Johnson from Vanderbilt and tight end Messiah Swinson from Missouri should help, but I suspect this team will once again rely on the run game in 2022.

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