Saguaro product Javen Jacobs proving to be a versatile weapon in ASU football's offense
The Arizona State Sun Devils have been a bit short-handed in the backfield with two scholarship athletes slowed by injuries this spring. The answer, at least for now, has been plugging in sophomore Javen Jacobs into the backfield. Jacobs is primarily a slot receiver but the role he is now filling isn't much different than the one he was in at Saguaro High School.
The 5-foot-10, 193-pounder can do just about anything. No one knows that better than Jason Mohns, the first-year tight ends coach at ASU who was Jacobs' head coach at Saguaro.
"What really makes him special is what you're seeing right now, the ability to play in the slot, line up in the backfield, move all around," Mohns said after the Sun Devils wrapped up scrimmage play on Tuesday at Sun Devil Stadium. "He makes us very versatile, the ability to do multiple things with him on the field where you can line up five-wide, and then you can get back into a true 11-personnel look and he can run the ball. I tried to move him around because he has a unique skill set."
Jacobs wasn't just a versatile player at Saguaro, he was a star, leading the school to its first-ever Open Division State Championship. He scored two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving, in the team's win over previous champion 6A Chandler.
On the season he tallied 920 receiving yards, along with 577 special teams yards. He only had 342 rushing yards but had 10 touchdowns. He finished his prep career with 2931 all-purpose yards, and 26 touchdowns, the majority of that coming in the last two years because his first two years were spent on the defensive side of the ball.
He was pegged as the No. 1 athlete and No. 24 overall prospect in the state by 247Sports.
Despite those accolades, major programs weren't exactly beating the door down. He had a dozen or so Division I offers but they weren't exactly high-profile programs. So he chose to walk on at ASU.
Mohns said it was just a matter of Jacobs not being the biggest or the fastest.
"Not a lot of teams recruit that type of position. They're either recruiting a true receiver or a true running back. So when you look at the board and you start evaluating players, the receivers coach isn't taking him because he can find that true receiver and the running backs coach probably won't take him because he can probably find a running back," Mohns said. "But to have a vision and a plan for a player like that in your offense and to recruit that position, you can see what a player like that can do."
Jacobs was unfazed by it all. He was confident his skill set would translate to success with a major college program and he welcomed the opportunity to try and showcase his talent for the home school. He is even wearing the same No. 8 he wore in high school.
While he may have come as a walk-on, he was rewarded with a scholarship this season.
"What made me choose this program was just what made me happy," he said. "When I made that decision I prayed about it for a long time and it came down to where would I be happy and it came down to being here and being with my family, just making the most of college. I haven’t looked back since. I am making the most of every day and it’s a blessing to be here."
Most of Jacobs' playing time last season as a true freshman came on special teams. He had seven punt returns for 18 yards and four kick returns for 105 yards with a best of 47 yards.
Return specialist is a spot he could easily make his mark again this season with ASU's top two players in that regard, Daniyel Ngata and D.J. Taylor, both transferring out. Jacobs has been working there along with wide receivers Elijhah Badger, Melquan Stovall and Xavier Guillory.
Transfers DeCarlos Brooks and Cam Skattebo look to get a majority of the carries out of the backfield and the wide receiver group is a deep and talented one.
Jacobs bounces back and forth between the receivers room and the running back room, which he doesn't necessarily mind. He has to get in prep work for each position.
"I go from different meeting to meeting, learning different plays and just staying caught up with everything in the receiver room so in this offense, I can motion from backfield to slot. We've got to know the big picture anyway so it isn't too bad," Jacobs said. "I just find a way to get in space and make plays. That’s what I love to do."
"The running back room is so genuine. Coach (Shaun) Aguano does a great job with those guys in there. It’s really a family. They welcomed me in right away and everybody is willing to help me out and any questions I have they’re right there to help me along the way so I'm picking it up pretty fast and having fun with the process."
His coaches are happy to have him.
"He is one of those utility knives you want to have in your drawer," Mohns said. "You open it up and might not use it very often, but when you need it, it's very useful. He's one of those guys that can contribute and make plays in a lot of different ways. Everybody needs a player like that."
"Javen Jacobs is a guy that can play any spot on the field," wide receivers coach Ra'Shaad Samples said. "He's underestimated in every room. What he brings to the table is unique. It just creates stress for a defense. It puts us in advantageous situations and allows us to create mismatches in the run and pass games."
Jacobs added that head coach Dillingham isn't unlike Mohns in that both tried to foster a fun, but competitive environment. He is focusing on doing his job, in whatever position.
"I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunities really and show that they can rely on me and when I’m in there I’ll do my part to help this team and help the guys around me. I just love this team and I’m excited for this season. I have a great feeling about it," he said.
More: After losing last season to injury, ASU's Gharin Stansbury hopes to make big impact
True freshmen impress
Among the newcomers this spring are two true freshmen who graduated early so they could take part in spring ball, defensive linemen C.J. Fite and Ashley Williams. Dillingham likes what he has seen.
"Those guys for freshmen, they’re not scared," he said. "The moment is not too big. That’s really what you’re looking for with freshmen is, when they get out there, is there a little bit of a timidness? Or are they going out there and just playing football? And both those kids are going out there, not scared and they’re playing. Are they making mistakes? Yes, they’re freshmen. Are they learning? Yes. But they’re not scared and they’re going out there and playing hard."
ASU adds transfer
The Sun Devils have added yet another transfer as defensive back Demetries Ford, who played the previous two seasons at FCS competitor Austin Peay, announced his intention to come to Tempe. The 5-foot-8, 170-pounder recorded 37 tackles, 16 breakups, one sack, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. His best game came against Alabama when he recorded six tackles (five solo tackles) and a sack.
Those numbers earned him a selection as Associated Press Third Team FCS All-America honors as well as All-ASUN Conference honors. He was the ASUN Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 14.
Ford started his career at Youngstown State, appearing in 18 games over two seasons.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Javen Jacobs helping out Arizona State football's short-handed offense
