As Arizona State's offensive line injuries pile, Ben Bray earns opportunity at center
Arizona State’s offensive line has dealt with a lot in the last four months.
A season-ending injury took out one of its most versatile players in Joey Ramos in the first game, while captain LaDarius Henderson has been out for four games. Factor in Des Holmes moving in and out of the lineup twice with minor injuries and it’s been tough to find consistency within the group.
These injuries have allowed other players chances to show off their adaptability and talent when it wasn’t expected of them coming into the year. When Henderson went down against Washington, redshirt sophomore Ben Bray stepped in at left guard for the second half.
After replacing Henderson, Bray was left waiting again when Holmes replaced Henderson at left guard and Emmit Bohle went to right tackle. The wait wasn’t ideal, but it gave Bray perspective on his career.
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“It’s really hard mentally when you put in these two or three years of work and there’s not any results showing in front of the TV,” Bray said. “You really have to double down, like the work I’m putting in regardless of if I start or not is going to create me into a better football player and more importantly create me into a better man for my future life and future career.”
It was Bray’s turn to step up again last Saturday after starting center Ben Scott went down against Washington State.
“It was pretty cold outside, it was 30 degrees,” Bray said. “I see Ben come off the sideline and I’m like, Alright, ready to go. I walk in there and I know the guys on the line, we have great chemistry. It’s only building up now. I started off a little rough and kind of out of control for a bit, but slowed down throughout the game.”
Bray, a Mesa Red Mountain product, has practiced at guard for most of his college career, but offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh slotted him into Scott’s place because of his intelligence.
“He’s a smart guy and I always like having that smart guy at center,” Cavanaugh said. “I like that position for him and he’s going to get better as he gets stronger.”
The game claimed many names on the injury list, forcing Bray to adjust with two different quarterbacks. Starting quarterback Trenton Bourguet went down in the first half, putting Emory Jones in his first game since Oct. 22.
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While adjusting to the intricacies at center, Bray has the task of replacing the team’s active leader in starts. If Scott misses Saturday, his streak will end at 27 and ASU will lose its third starter on the offensive line this season.
Scott’s status for Saturday’s final home game is unclear after he practiced Tuesday with a green non-contact jersey and did some light work. His injury and Bray’s promotion to his role haven’t changed the relationship between the two.
“I know he has my back from a Ben to a Ben,” Bray said. “He’s helping me on my technique and my drills and watching film. He’s got my back regardless of who starts. If he starts, I’m rooting for him and if I start, he’s rooting for me. There’s no unfriendly competition there. I wish him the best on his injury and coming back.”
Bourguet back
Bourguet exited Saturday’s game in the first half with a lower leg injury but has been back in practice this week taking reps with the first team.
Bourguet took a hard hit when he was sacked on the Sun Devils' first drive He remained in the game but struggled before being pulled midway through the second quarter. He said he talked to the coaching staff and it was a mutual decision that the game should be handed over to Emory Jones.
“There were a couple of hits lower that caused me to feel banged up,” Bourget said. “I tried to push through it but they just decided to be smart about it, not to try to risk more serious injury. I’ll be ready to go. I’m excited for this weekend.”
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Henderson undecided
Offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson says he is undecided on whether or not to return to ASU to use his last year of eligibility. He has been the starter at left guard but broke a bone in his hand in the Oct. 8 win over Washington.
He accepted an invitation to play in February's East-West Shrine Bowl but said that doesn’t mean he won’t come back. It just gives him an option if he wants to declare.
“I don’t know if that means for sure (he'll declare for the NFL Draft), but it's a great opportunity I’m glad I get to have and the option is there if I want to do that," he said. "So I'm just glad that I get to. It’s a lot to think about now, I’ve been praying a lot. Me and my family have been talking and praying about it together, and it’s just something that I’m going to decide here in a little bit.”
Soelle planning next steps
ASU linebacker Kyle Soelle has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl, joining Henderson to represent ASU.
The game will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 2.
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: As ASU's offensive line injuries pile, Ben Bray earns opportunity
