Here are 10 Arizona State football players hoping to make it to the NFL

Arizona State is projected to have anywhere from five to seven players selected in the NFL Draft. The last time the Sun Devils had that many called in a season was in 2008 when they had five selected, led by offensive lineman Mike Pollak who went in the second round to the Indianapolis Colts. Six players were selected in 2000 led by defensive end Erik Flowers who went to the Buffalo Bills in the first round.

This would mark the ninth straight year in which ASU has had at least one player chosen.

LB Darien Butler (5-10, 226)

Made 37 career starts as a four-year starter and three-time team captain. Finished second on the team with 68 tackles despite missing three games. Also had 8.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, three breakups and two sacks. Named one of 16 semifinalists for the 2021 Butkus Award, given to the nation's top collegiate linebacker at the FBS level. Had 18 tackles for loss or no gain, which tied for eighth among all FBS linebackers. Trimmed down in 2021 and was much quicker to the ball, improving his play in both man and zone coverage. Lacks the size and length NFL teams are looking for at the position. Participated in East-West Shrine game and NFL Combine but didn't do all physical activities because of injury. Recorded 19 reps in bench press at ASU Pro Day.

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NT D.J. Davidson (6-5, 325)

The Mesa Desert Ridge product made 27 career starts, one of just two defensive players to start every regular-season game. The 20th-highest-graded defender overall in the Pac-12 (76.0), regardless of position, and the third-highest graded defensive interior lineman in the league, the 15th-highest-graded defender in the league on run defense (77.7), and tops among interior linemen. Recorded 31 defensive "stops" on run defense this year, good for second in the FBS among interior linemen. Recorded 57 total tackles, 48 tackles on running plays – fourth most of any FBS defensive lineman. Participated in East-West Shrine game. Showed well at the NFL combine with 23 reps in bench press (second among players at his position), a 7.85 in the three-cone drill, a 4.72 in the 20-yard shuttle and 28 inches in the vertical. Those marks were all top eight with his three of those among the top four.

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LT Kellen Diesch (6-7, 300)

Two-year starter after transferring from Texas A&M. Was the ninth-highest graded overall offensive player in Pac-12, regardless of position (86.4), second-highest graded tackle, third-highest graded player in the league as a pass blocker (88.2) and second among tackles, 12th-highest-graded player in the league on run blocking (84.1) and fifth among tackles. Was the eighth-highest graded offensive lineman in the FBS as a pass blocker and Top-50 among all FBS linemen as a run blocker. Out of 180 FBS tackles with at least 350 snaps in pass protection, Diesch gave up the fourth-fewest quarterback pressures in the nation (7) and fewest in Pac-12. Of ASU's 753 offensive snaps, Diesch played 741. Participated in the East-West Shrine game and boosted his status with a strong showing at the NFL Combine where he posted a 4.89 in the 40 which was second at his position and the best by a Pac-12 lineman since at least 2000. According to NFL research, it was the second-fastest by a player measuring taller than 6- and 300-plus pounds at any combine since 2003, behind three-time Pro Bowler Taylor Lewan's 4.87. His 32.5 in the vertical was third and his 20-yard shuttle of 4.43 was second. Some projections have him going as high as the third round.

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S Evan Fields (6-1, 205)

The Oklahoma City native has a sensational sophomore season but then ASU was limited to four games in 2020 due to COVID-19 and then his 2021 season saw him plagued by a hamstring injury that limited him to seven games and he played just a handful of minutes in a couple of those. Best season came in 2019 when he tallied 83 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Totaled 204 tackles, three forced fumbles and two interceptions, playing in 45 games in his ASU career. Not projected to hear his name called in the draft but should land offers to sign as an undrafted free agent.

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TE Curtis Hodges (6-7, 245)

The Mesa Mountain View graduate struggled with injuries in his career but emerged as one of the Sun Devils' most improved players in the last two years. Had 373 yards on 20 catches in 11 games, after entering the season with just 227 yards in four previous seasons (29 games) combined. Averaged 18.7 yards per catch – good for 20th in the FBS, second in the Pac-12 and second among all FBS tight ends. Also graded out at 71.8 as a run blocker for the season, second among Pac-12 tight ends and 32nd among FBS tight ends. Participated in NFLPA Bowl. Combine marks included a 4.85 in the 40, 34.5 in the vertical, 116 in the broad jump and a 4.28 in the 20-yard shuttle with the vertical and 20-shuttle marks both third at his position. He will likely sign as an undrafted free agent.

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DE Tyler Johnson (6-4, 280)

The Highland product was ASU's lone first team All-Pac 12 selection, after earning second-team accolades in 2020. Finished 2021 with 33 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and three pass breakups. Also had a 32-yard fumble return inside the five-yard line. The seventh-highest graded edge defender in the Pac-12 overall (76.5) and fourth among edge defenders in the league on run defense (79.6). Led the team with 8.5 tackles for loss, bringing his career total to 29.5, also posting 15.5 career sacks. Participated in Hula Bowl but was snubbed when it came to an invite to the combine which surprised many but did take part in ASU's Pro Day with marks of 4.81 in the 40, 19 reps in the bench press, and 7.54 in the three-cone drill. Projected as an undrafted free agent.

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CB Jack Jones (5-10, 175)

A Pac-12 All-Conference selection for the second time. Finished with 42 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, six breakups and three forced fumbles. Was ASU's highest-graded defender with a score of 79.4 overall, good for 15th among all Pac-12 defenders regardless of position. It was the fourth-highest grade among all Pac-12 corners, 33rd among all FBS corners. Recorded a grade of 78.8 in coverage, fourth among Pac-12 corners, ninth among all Pac-12 players and 33rd among all FBS corners. Forced an incompletion on 12.5% of targets thrown his way, eighth among all Pac-12 corners. Was MVP in ASU's Territorial Cup win over Arizona highlighted by an 87-yard pick-six. Participated in the East-West Shrine game as well as the NFL Combine where he ran 4.51 in the 40. Working against him is his size and smallish frame although he is noted as a ball-hawking defender with a high football IQ. Projected as a seventh-round choice.

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CB Chase Lucas (6-0 185)

The Chandler High School alum started 49 games, finishing second on the school's career list in that department. Was honorable mention All-Pac 12 after twice earning second-team honors. Collected 34 tackles and broke up six passes this season. Targeted the most of all Pac-12 corners with at least 250 snaps in coverage at 20% but was one of just four of those corners to not allow a touchdown on the year. Forced an incompletion on 11.9% of the targets thrown his way, seventh among Pac-12 corners. Participated in East-West Shrine game. Invited to NFL combine where he had marks of 39 inches in the vertical and 128 in the broad jump, both third among all players at his position. He ran 4.48 in the 40. Projected a third-day draft pick in multiple projections.

C Dohnovan West (6-4, 300)

The three-year starter allowed just five quarterback pressures all season, tied for third among all FBS centers with a minimum of 300 snaps. Was one of just two centers in the Pac-12 to rank in the top six in overall offense, pass blocking, and run blocking grades on the season. Was a three-time All-Pac 12 selection, earning second-team honors the past season. Started at guard as a true freshman but moved to center as a sophomore, declaring after his junior season in 2021. Sat out the bowl game while recovering from hand surgery. Recorded marks of 5.27 in the 40, 28 inches in the vertical and 112 in the broad jump. Is projected to go as high as the fifth round.

RB Rachaad White (6-2, 210)

The catalyst of the ASU offense for the last two years, racking up 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns on 182 tries while catching 43 passes for 456 yards and one touchdown which helped earn him second-team All-Pac 12 honors. Had a season-high of 202 yards on 28 carries with three touchdowns in the Sun Devils' win over USC. As a junior in the four-game 2020 season, he averaged 10 yards per carry with 420 yards on 42 attempts with a best of 158 yards on 13 carries against Oregon State in a 46-33 win. Also had eight receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. White earned an invite to the Reese's Senior Bowl and also participated in the NFL Combine. His marks of 39 inches in the vertical and 128 in the broad jump at the combine were third among players in his position. Also finished with a 4.48 in the 40. Projections have him pegged for a fourth-round selection.

Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@gannett.com or 602 444-4783. Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU football could see big group selected in NFL Draft