Arizona State football ready for new faces in secondary to step up in season opener

Arizona State already was shorthanded on returning starters on defense coming into this season with only four.

However, the returning group took a hit in the secondary when potential starters Timarcus Davis and Jordan Clark were ruled out ahead of Thursday’s opener against Northern Arizona.

Losing both has given a chance for younger players such as redshirt sophomores Ed Woods and D.J. Taylor to prove themselves.

Woods will take over for Davis at corner after showing flashes of potential the last two years, according to the depth chart released ahead of Thurday's game. Woods didn’t see playing time in his freshman season in 2020, but showed a strong work ethic. His time on the field took a hit soon after when family issues took precedence and he was unable to fully participate.

Since training camp began, it was obvious there would be movement in the secondary with four seniors moving on. Making the most of his opportunity, Woods approached newly promoted defensive coordinator Donnie Henderson.

“When he talked to me, I told him to go back to when he first got here and competed, that’s all he can do. If you get beat, you get beat. So what, we all get beat,” Henderson said. “But for a guy like that who came in as a freshman and stood out to lose a year because of all the things he was going through on and off the field, I told him to not worry about all those things. When you’re on the field, you’re on the field to play. That’s all you can do. If you make a mistake, you move on.”

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ASU’s younger secondary will have a considerable amount of ground to make up from last season. The previous group was third in the Pac-12 in passing defense (194.8 ypg) and was second in interceptions with 16, one fewer than Oregon.

What last season’s group accomplished isn’t lost on the incoming group of starters. Taylor spent last season on special teams as the kick returner and studied under the secondary group.  He's listed as the starter at the nickleack position in the secondary going into Thurday's opener.

Switching from defensive back to running back and then back to defensive back, Henderson wanted Taylor to study the position more.

“He’s very athletic, he’s very fast, he’s strong, he’s big. Last year, when I was coaching the secondary, I held him back a little,” Henderson said.

When Clark went down in training camp, Henderson knew Taylor would be a great fit at nickel because of his physical play. Since then, Taylor has proven he’s learning the position over the last two weeks.

“If we can put him in enough situations that it’s repetition of what he’s supposed to do, he’ll skyrocket because of his athleticism,” Henderson said.

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Henderson has worked with helping the defense find the balance between enthusiasm and anxiety in the first game.

“Try not to get too excited early and use so much energy because that’s what’s going to happen. When you get excited and run up all that energy, next thing you know you’re going to start hyperventilating and get tired, those things,” Henderson said.

With all the emotions circulating, Henderson has seen it as a way to improve the connections on defense and believes his group is in a good position leading up to Thursday’s game.

"Communication is going to be a big thing and they’ve done a good job on that," Henderson said.

Injury report

Redshirt junior Joey Ramos will start at right tackle in place of Des Holmes. Holmes has missed the last few days of practice. Offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas confirme he will not be playing in the opening week. His injury is expected to take him out the second week at Oklahoma State.

Redshirt senior Emmit Bohle, who had been contending for the start at left tackle, will be the backup at both right and left tackle.

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Different perspective

Thomas will start his first game as the offensive coordinator at ASU in the booth. He preferred that option as opposed to being on the field for several reasons.

“You can see it from a different perspective and we’ve had some great guys that can communicate and get information relayed," Thomas said.

Thomas also mentioned the coaches will call plays in a multitude of ways, including signals and wristbands.

Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com or 602-647-4122. Follow her on Twitter @jennarortiz. 

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State football to debut new faces on defense in season opener