Sun Devil Football Signs 26 Student-Athletes To 2014 Class

TEMPE, Ariz. - Arizona State University has signed 26 student-athletes to national letters of intent to study and participate in football, head coach Todd Graham announced.

The class consists of 20 freshmen, five juniors and one sophomore, and two of the student-athletes are midyear signees already on campus that will participate in spring practice.

ASU’s 2014 Class Includes: 

Players from 11 different home states: California (10), Arizona (three), Texas (two), Georgia (two), Virginia (two), Colorado (two), Florida (one), Missouri (one), Nevada (one), Oregon (one), Pennsylvania (one) 

Fourteen players designated with a four-star ranking: ATH Kalen Ballage (Rivals), DL Edmond Boateng (ESPN); DB Kweishi Brown (ESPN); LB D.J. Calhoun (Scout, Rivals, ESPN, 24-7 Sports); WR Jalen Harvey (Rivals, ESPN, 24-7 Sports); DL Connor Humphreys (ESPN, 24-7 Sports); OL Sam Jones (ESPN); WR Eric Lauderdale (Scout, Rivals, ESPN, 24-7 Sports); RB Demario Richard (Scout, ESPN); DL Tashon Smallwood (Scout, ESPN); DL Dalvon Stuckey (ESPN, Rivals); DB Tyler Whiley (Scout, Rivals, ESPN, 24-7 Sports); QB Manny Wilkins (Scout, ESPN, 24-7 Sports); DL Renell Wren (Scout)

Thirteen high school prospects ranked within the nation’s top-30 at their position: Ballage (No. 6 ATH, Rivals) Humphreys (No. 8 Strong Side DE, Rivals); Wilkins (No. 9 Dual Threat QB, 24-7 Sports); Whiley (No. 11 CB, ESPN); Calhoun (No. 12 OLB, Rivals); Wren (No. 18 Weak Side DE, 24-7 Sports); Smallwood (No. 19 DT, ESPN); QB Coltin Gerhart (No. 21 Dual Threat QB, 24-7 Sports); LB Ismael Murphy-Richardson (No. 21 LB, Rivals); Harvey (No. 22 WR, 24-7 Sports); Jones (No. 23 OT, ESPN); LB Christian Sam (No. 27 LB, Rivals); Richard (No. 28 RB, Scout)

Five junior college prospects ranked within the nation’s top three players at their position: Stuckey (No. 1 DT, Rivals); Brown (No. 2 CB, ESPN); RB De’Chavon Hayes (No. 2 RB, ESPN/Rivals); Lauderdale (No. 2 WR, ESPN/Rivals); Boateng (No. 3 DE, ESPN)

Two of the top five defensive tackles in the west region (Scout): Smallwood (third), Humphreys (fifth) 

Two of the top five safeties in the west region (Scout): Dasmond Tautalatasi (fourth), Jamal Scott (fifth)

Two of the top eight quarterbacks in the west region (Scout): Wilkins (third), Gerhart (eighth)

Two of the top nine running backs in the west region (Scout): Richard (fifth), Ballage (ninth)

Two of the top 10 outside linebackers in the west region (Scout): Calhoun (third), Murphy-Richardson (10th) 

Two midyear signees: Boateng (junior college), Calhoun (high school)

Chad Adams, DB, FR, 5-10, 175, Allen, Texas/Allen HS

Physical defensive back from one of the nation’s elite high school football programs…able to play multiple defensive back positions…regarded as speedy and fearless and a great tackler for his position…helped guide Allen to back-to-back Texas 5A Division I state championships…Allen finished the year ranked as the second-best high school football program in America according to MaxPreps and Scout.com with a perfect 16-0 record…ASU head coach Todd Graham was the head coach at Allen High from 1995-2000…ASU running backs coach Bo Graham also played for Allen High…rated by Scout.com as the No. 47 cornerback prospect in the nation…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 68 cornerback recruit in the nation…listed by ESPN as the No. 72 cornerback in the country… earned All-Midlands Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…named a 10-5A First-Team All-District selection as a senior in 2013…totaled 98 tackles, nine pass breakups and two interceptions as a junior in 2012…earned First-Team 10-5A All-District and Third-Team All-State honors…recorded 65 tackles and one interception as a sophomore in 2011…chose ASU over Baylor and also earned reported scholarship offers from Connecticut, Kansas, Rice, Texas State and Yale…coached by Tom Westerberg at Allen High.

Quinn Bailey, OL, FR, 6-6, 302, Gilbert, Ariz./Higley HS

Local lineman with great height and size…played both offensive tackle positions and also saw time on defense in high school…earned First-Team Arizona All-State Division III honors by the Arizona Republic after his senior season…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 67 offensive tackle recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 81 offensive tackle prospect in the nation…listed by 24-7 Sports as the No. 86 offensive tackle recruit in the nation…ranked by ESPN as the No. 135 offensive tackle recruit in the country…his position coach at Higley High was former Arizona State lineman Jon Hargis, who lettered from 2007-10…coached by Eddy Zubey at Higley High. 

Kalen Ballage, RB, FR, 6-3, 215, Peyton, Colo./Falcon HS

Incredible physical specimen that combines power and speed as a runner…played every position other than offensive line in high school…dominated competition both on offense and defense…a skilled pass receiver in addition to his intimidating talent in the run game…listed by Rivals.com as the sixth-best athlete prospect in the country and a four-star recruit…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 27 athlete recruit in the nation…rated by Scout.com as the No. 52 running back recruit in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 71 overall prospect in the west region and the ninth-best running back recruit in the region…tabbed by ESPN as the No. 52 athlete prospect in the nation…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…rushed for 2,690 career yards on 318 carries (8.5 avg.) with 35 touchdowns in three varsity seasons…also caught 40 passes for 671 yards (16.8 avg.) with 12 touchdowns…saw action on defense, kick and punt returns and also punted…totaled 3,981 career all-purpose yards…enjoyed a sensation breakout senior season…carried 206 times for 1,943 yards (9.4 avg.) with 25 touchdowns as a senior in 2013…added 16 receptions for 360 yards (22.5 avg.) with six scores…totaled 2,628 all-purpose yards as a senior…collected 32 total tackles (28 solo) with 2.5 sacks and two interceptions…carried 42 times for 245 yards (5.8 avg.) with three touchdowns as a junior in 2012…added 13 receptions for 193 yards (14.9 avg.) with five touchdowns…totaled 609 all-purpose yards…posted 32 tackles (27 solo) with one sack…rushed for 502 yards on 70 carries (7.2 avg.) with seven scores as a sophomore in 2011…added 11 receptions for 118 yards (10.7 avg.) with a touchdown…collected 744 all-purpose yards…totaled 14 tackles (10 solo) on defense…chose ASU over multiple offers from Pac-12 programs as well as ones from Boise State, Colorado State, Georgia Tech, Kansas State, Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and Wyoming…coached by Brian Green and Terry Poirier at Falcon High. 

Edmond Boateng, DL, RS-SO, 6-4.5, 270, Fairfax, Va./Wiregrass Ranch HS/New Mexico Military Institute 

Midyear transfer already enrolled at ASU and will be with the team for spring drills…a four-star prospect according to ESPN…also rated by ESPN as the third-best junior college defensive end and the No. 25 overall junior college prospect in the nation…rated the No. 48 overall junior college player in the country by Rivals.com…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the sixth-best junior college strong side defensive end prospect and the nation’s No. 61 overall junior college recruit…comes to Tempe as a redshirt sophomore with four years to play three and has tremendous potential…earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his junior college sophomore season at New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell…had 19 tackles, including 6.0 for loss with 2.0 sacks, as well as two pass breakups in 11 games as a redshirt freshman…missed the 2012 season with a wrist injury…registered 24 tackles, including 5.0 for loss with 3.0 sacks as a senior at Wesley Chapel (Fla.) Wiregrass Ranch High School in 2011…coached by Joe Forchtner at New Mexico Military Institute. 

Kweishi Brown, DB, JR, 6-0, 198, San Diego, Calif./Valhalla HS/Grossmont College

All-American junior college transfer and one of the top junior college cornerbacks in the nation…comes to ASU with three years to play two starting in 2014…has great size and ball skills to bring to the Sun Devil secondary…looks to continue ASU’s recent trend of ball-hawking play by defensive backs…a four-star prospect according to ESPN…also ranked by ESPN as the No. 24 overall junior college prospect and the third-best junior college cornerback recruit in the nation…recorded 62 tackles, 16 pass breakups and four interceptions in 2013…had a team-high seven interceptions as a freshman in 2012…totaled 28 tackles including two for loss…registered 41 tackles and an interception as a senior at El Cajon (Calif.) Valhalla High School…chose ASU over scholarship interest from the Pac-12 as well as offers from Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas State, Nebraska and West Virginia…coached by Mike Jordan at Grossmont College…also coached at Grossmont by former ASU defensive back Brett Hudson (2002-03).

Darrius Caldwell, LB, JR, 6-6, 235, Atlanta, Ga./Mays HS/Pearl River CC

Physically gifted defender with the ability to play defensive end or linebacker…rated by ESPN as the fourth-best junior college defensive end in the country and the No. 40 overall junior college recruit in the nation…originally signed with Illinois out of Atlanta (Ga.) Mays High School as a member of the 2011 class…rated the No. 26 weak side defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals.com…ranked as the No. 76 defensive end recruit by Scout.com…also had scholarship offers from Buffalo, Georgia Tech, Marshall, Mississippi, North Carolina State, South Carolina, UCF, Virginia and West Virginia…chose ASU over South Carolina…also had scholarship offers from Louisiana-Lafayette, North Texas, South Alabama, Southern Miss and UAB…coached by William Jones at Pearl River Community College. 

D.J. Calhoun, LB, FR, 6-0.5, 213, El Cerrito, Calif./El Cerrito HS

Enrolled at ASU in January and will be with the team for spring drills…the top high school defensive player in ASU’s 2014 class…regarded as one of the most intense high school defenders in the nation and an incredible leader…has great range in pass coverage and physicality in run support…a hard hitter and considered one of the toughest high school football players in America…unanimously regarded as a four-star prospect…participated in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Game and was chosen to be a team captain for the West…rated by PrepStar as the No. 99 overall prospect in America…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 12 linebacker recruit in the country…ranked by Scout.com as the No. 145 overall prospect in the country and the No. 13 outside linebacker recruit in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 28 overall prospect in the west region and the region’s third-best linebacker recruit…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 12 outside linebacker prospect in the nation and the No. 183 overall recruit in the country…rated by ESPN as the No. 16 outside linebacker prospect in the nation…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 183 overall prospect in the nation, the No. 13 outside linebacker in the country and the No. 22 overall recruit in the state of California…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…as a junior in 2012 he was named League Defensive Player of the Year and unanimous First Team All-League as well as First-Team All-East Bay as a junior…was listed as an All-Metro selection by the San Francisco Chronicle…was also named Second Team All-Northern California by CalHiSports…chose ASU over virtually the entire Pac-12 as well as offers from Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Houston, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Nevada, San Diego State, Utah State and UTEP… coached by Kenny Kahn at El Cerrito High.

Coltin Gerhart, QB, FR, 6-0, 216, Murrieta, Calif./Vista Murrieta HS

Tremendously versatile athlete who was recruited by multiple schools to play numerous positions…enjoyed a standout senior season at quarterback and will begin his Sun Devil career at that position…a true dual-threat quarterback with equal effectiveness throwing and running the ball…a top baseball prospect as well and is expected to play baseball at ASU…would be the first football player since Brandon Magee in 2011 to be on ASU’s baseball roster…listed by ESPN as the No. 41 dual-threat quarterback recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 43 quarterback prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 108 overall prospect in the west region and the eighth-best quarterback recruit in the region… earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…his older brother, Garth, started 35 career games on the offensive line for the Sun Devils from 2008-11 and earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior…his other brother, Toby, starred at running back for Stanford and was the runner-up for the 2009 Heisman Trophy……nearly amassed 4,500 passing yards and 3,500 rushing yards over three years as a varsity performer…completed 60% of his passes for 1,733 yards with 20 touchdowns and only six interceptions as a senior…added 1,418 rushing yards with 25 scores on 140 carries (10.1 avg.)…averaged 101.3 rushing yards per game…posted 3,151 yards of total offense as a senior… attended Norco (Calif.) High School before transferring prior to his senior year…passed for 1,330 yards with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 1,131 yards with 20 scores as a junior in 2012…threw for 1,429 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions and rushed for 843 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore on varsity for Norco High in 2011…coached by his father, Todd Gerhart, in high school…Todd Gerhart also coached current and former Sun Devils such as Carl Bradford and Deantre Lewis at the high school level…chose ASU over reported scholarship offers from Boise State, BYU, Duke, Fresno State, Hawaii, Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and multiple Pac-12 programs. 

Jalen Harvey, WR, FR, 6-2, 185, El Cerrito, Calif./El Cerrito HS

Highly-regarded receiver on a national scale…able to play either wide receiver or defensive back…also played basketball in high school…rated by 24-7 Sports, ESPN and Rivals.com as a four-star prospect…regarded by 24-7 Sports as the No. 147 overall recruit in the nation, the No. 22 wide receiver in the country and the No. 15 overall prospect in the state of California…listed by ESPN as the nation’s No. 29 wide receiver and by Rivals as the country’s No. 41 prospect at the position…ranked by Scout.com as the No. 73 wide receiver recruit in the nation…listed by Scout.com as the No. 10 wide receiver in the west region prior to the 2013 season…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…chose ASU over scholarship offers from the majority of the Pac-12 Conference…coached by Kenny Kahn at El Cerrito High. 

De’Chavon “Gump” Hayes, RB, JR, 5-11, 192, Richmond, Va./Varina HS/Lackawanna College

Speedy junior college transfer with the skill set to help the Sun Devils in multiple ways…figures to be a dynamic threat as a rusher, receiver and on special teams…quick and explosive with excellent acceleration…widely regarded as one of the most prominent junior college running backs in America…agile with great change of direction…rated by Rivals.com as the second-best junior college running back prospect in the nation and the country’s No. 61 overall junior college recruit…also regarded as the second-best junior college running back in the nation by ESPN…rushed for 837 yards in seven games with seven touchdowns in 2013…averaged 119.6 rushing yards per game……rushed 77 times for 788 yards (10.2 avg.) with 11 all-purpose touchdowns in 10 games as a freshman in 2012…chose ASU over Kansas and Oklahoma…coached by Mark Duda at Lackawanna College.

Connor Humphreys, DL, FR, 6-4, 275, Portland, Ore./Central Catholic HS

One of the premier defensive linemen on the west coast…selected as a Second-Team All-America pick by USA Today after his senior season…participated in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl…guided Central Catholic to an undefeated 14-0 season in 2013 and the Oregon Class 6A state championship…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 108 overall prospect in the nation and the eighth-best strong side defensive end recruit in the country…rated by PrepStar as the No. 114 overall prospect in America…ranked by ESPN as the No. 23 defensive end recruit in the nation…regarded by Rivals and 24-7 Sports as a four-star prospect…listed by Scout.com as the No. 31 defensive tackle prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 73 overall prospect in the west region and the fifth-best defensive tackle recruit in the region…rated by 24-7 Sports as the No. 28 weak side defensive end prospect in the nation and the second-best overall recruit in the state of Oregon… mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…totaled 43 tackles (16 solo) with 5.0 sacks and seven additional tackles-for-loss as a senior in 2013…added four fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and two forced fumbles…posted 74 tackles (47 solo) with 6.0 sacks and 11 additional tackles-for-loss as a junior in 2012…added 17 quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, one pass deflection and one blocked punt…chose ASU over multiple offers from Pac-12 programs as well as ones from Boise State, Boston College, Tennessee, Wisconsin and Wyoming…coached by Steve Pyne at Central Catholic High. 

Sam Jones, OL, FR, 6-5, 285, Highlands Ranch, Colo./Thunderridge HS

One of the top overall prospects in the state of Colorado…regarded by ESPN as a four-star prospect and the No. 23 offensive tackle recruit in the country… earned All-Midlands Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 45 offensive tackle recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 54 offensive tackle prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 144 overall prospect in the west region and the No. 11 offensive tackle recruit in the region…rated by 24-7 Sports as the No. 37 offensive tackle recruit in the nation and the fourth-best overall prospect in the state of Colorado…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…earned All-State honors as a junior in 2012…picked ASU over multiple scholarship offers from Pac-12 programs as well as ones from Arkansas, Colorado State, Kansas State and Wyoming…coached by Joe Johnson at Thunderridge High. 

Brendan Landman, TE, FR, 6-5, 242, Danville, Calif./Monte Vista HS

Tall athlete with experience at multiple positions…earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…listed by 24-7 Sports as the No. 65 tight end recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 71 tight end prospect in the nation…earned First-Team All-League honors as a senior…chose ASU over San Jose State.

Eric Lauderdale, WR, JR, 6-2, 195, Fayetteville, Ga./Fayette County HS/Saddleback College

One of the top overall junior college prospects in the country…a dynamic playmaker during his two seasons at Saddleback College…looks to follow Jaelen Strong as an instant impact junior college transfer at wide receiver for the Sun Devils…unanimously rated a four-star prospect by all major recruit evaluation services…ranked by Rivals.com as the third-best junior college wide receiver in the nation and the No. 18 overall junior college prospect…listed by ESPN as the third-best junior college receiver in the nation and the No. 23 overall junior college recruit…one of only four junior college wide receivers in the nation for the 2014 class ranked with a  four-star rating or higher by Scout.com…rated by 24-7 Sports as the No. 31 overall junior college prospect in the country and the fourth-best junior college wide receiver in the nation…totaled 114 receptions for 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns during his two seasons at Saddleback College…caught 54 passes for 703 yards with nine touchdowns in only seven games as a sophomore in 2013…averaged 100.4 receiving yards per game…was Saddleback’s leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns despite missing four games…caught nine passes with a touchdown against Santa Ana on Oct. 5, 2013…totaled 108 yards on eight receptions with a touchdown against Ventura on Oct. 12, 2013…hauled in eight passes for 143 yards with a score against Fullerton on Oct. 19, 2013…had a sensational outing on Oct. 26, 2013 against Orange Coast after catching 13 passes for 255 yards with four touchdowns…collected 110 receiving yards on nine catches with two scores against Palomar on Nov. 2, 2013……as a junior college freshman in 2012, he registered team-highs of 60 receptions for 916 yards with seven touchdowns…in high school he set the school record in receiving yards and was named a South-Metro All-State First-Team member as a senior…also played basketball at Fayette County…chose ASU over Florida and also earned reported scholarship offers from schools including Arkansas, Houston, Illinois, Kansas, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin and multiple Pac-12 programs…coached by Mark McElroy at Saddleback College and by Tommy Webb at Fayette County High School. 

Ismael Murphy-Richardson, LB, FR, 6-4, 215, Goodyear, Ariz./Desert Edge HS

Sensational local athlete that garnered recruiting attention from all over the country…starred at wide receiver and linebacker, and expects to play linebacker at ASU…also a standout basketball player…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 21 linebacker recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 45 outside linebacker prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 65 overall prospect in the west region and the No. 11 outside linebacker in the region…rated by ESPN as the No. 60 outside linebacker recruit in the country…listed by 24-7 Sports as the No. 48 outside linebacker recruit in the nation and the No. 11 overall prospect in the state of Arizona… earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…earned First-Team Arizona All-State Division III honors by the Arizona Republic after his senior season…recorded 61 tackles including 20 for loss with one sack as well as three interceptions and two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns as a senior in 2013…totaled 59 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two interceptions as a junior in 2012…added 32 receptions for 747 yards with 11 touchdowns…chose ASU over reported scholarship offers from multiple Pac-12 programs as well as from Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas A&M…coached by Rich Wellbrock at Desert Edge High. 

Armand Perry, DB, FR, 5-11.5, 183, Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman HS

Able to play multiple defensive back positions and a standout on one of the country’s top high school football programs…earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…regarded by Scout.com as the No. 91 cornerback prospect in the nation…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 101 safety recruit in the country…listed by ESPN as the No. 116 safety prospect in the nation…totaled 53 tackles (42 solo) with five pass deflections, two interceptions and two forced fumbles as a senior in 2013…registered 53 tackles (27 solo), five pass deflections, two forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery as a junior in 2012…coached by Tony Sanchez at Bishop Gorman High.  

Demario Richard, RB, FR, 5-10, 203, Palmdale, Calif./Palmdale HS

One of the premier running backs in the west…gives ASU an excellent blend of strength, toughness and quickness…has a strong lower body and great burst…has excellent hands out of the backfield…speedy enough to dash to the sidelines and physical enough to run between the tackles…a four-star recruit according to ESPN and Scout.com…played in the 2014 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif.…listed by Scout.com as the No. 28 running back recruit in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 51 overall prospect in the west region and the region’s fifth-best running back recruit…rated by Rivals.com as the No. 38 running back in the nation…listed by ESPN as the No. 43 running back recruit in the country…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 44 running back prospect…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…a product of the same high school as former ASU star Derek Hagan, the Pac-10 Conference’s career leader in receptions at conclusion of his Sun Devil career…carried 503 times for 4,251 yards (8.5 avg.) with 63 rushing touchdowns over his three-year varsity career…also caught 29 passes for 563 yards (19.4 avg.) with five touchdowns…saw action on defense as well, collecting 78 career tackles with seven interceptions, three sacks and two forced fumbles…also spent time on kick and punt returns…tallied 5,469 career all-purpose yards…posted 153 carries for 1,180 yards (7.7 avg.) with 23 rushing touchdowns as a senior in 2013 and added 11 receptions for 211 yards with two scores…tallied 1,603 all-purpose yards as a senior…posted 44 tackles (22 solo) with five interceptions, three pass deflections and one forced fumble as a senior…had his top rushing season as a junior, totaling 1,722 yards on 188 carries (9.2 avg.) with 24 touchdowns…added 11 receptions for 212 yards with two touchdowns...collected 2,311 all-purpose yards…carried 162 times for 1,349 yards (8.3 avg.) with 16 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2011…caught seven passes for 140 yards with a touchdown…tallied 1,555 all-purpose yards as a sophomore…posted 34 tackles (13 solo), 3.0 sacks and two interceptions in 2011…chose ASU over scholarship offers from the majority of the Pac-12 as well as from Colorado State, Fresno State, Iowa State, Michigan State, Nebraska, San Diego State, Tennessee, Utah State and West Virginia…coached by Jeff Williams at Palmdale High. 

Christian Sam, LB, FR, 6-1, 220Allen, Texas/Allen HS

Defensive leader for one of the nation’s elite high school football programs…helped guide Allen to back-to-back Texas 5A Division I state championships…named Defensive MVP of the 2013 state championship game after tallying 5.5 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble…Allen finished the year ranked as the second-best high school football program in America according to MaxPreps and Scout.com with a perfect 16-0 record…ASU head coach Todd Graham was the head coach at Allen High from 1995-2000…ASU running backs coach Bo Graham also played for Allen High…rated the No. 27 linebacker recruit in the nation by Rivals.com…ranked by Scout.com as the No. 47 outside linebacker recruit in the nation…earned All-Midlands Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…listed by ESPN as the No. 85 outside linebacker prospect in the country…was named the Linebacker MVP at the 2013 Level Athlete Top-100 Video Showcase in Lancaster, Texas…chose ASU over reported scholarship offers including ones from Baylor, Boise, Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas Tech… coached by Tom Westerberg at Allen High. 

DeAndre Scott, DB, FR, 5-9, 180, Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter High School

Aggressive defensive back…comes to ASU from the same high school that produced All-Pac-12 wide receiver Jaelen Strong…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 49 defensive back recruit in the country…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 57 safety recruit in the nation…rated by Scout.com as the No. 65 safety prospect in the nation…ranked by ESPN as the No. 97 safety prospect in the country…a three-year varsity player…played offense and defense, kicked and punted…scored 22 career touchdowns and 145 total career points…totaled 59 tackles (38 solo) as a senior in 2013…added seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one sack…registered 1,089 all-purpose yards…rushed 32 times for 435 yards (13.6 avg.) with four touchdowns…posted 69 tackles (59 solo) as a junior in 2012…added six interceptions, four sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries… rushed 12 times for 173 yards (14.4 avg.) with two touchdowns…recorded 50 tackles (28 solo) as a sophomore in 2011…also had two interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries…carried 41 times for 216 yards (5.3 avg.) with two touchdowns…coached by Al Crosby at Imhotep Charter High.

Jamal Scott, LB, FR, 6-2, 208, Anaheim, Calif./Magnolia HS

Tenacious, versatile defender with tremendous upside…emerged as a sought-after recruit late in his high school career…played safety in high school but will begin his ASU career at linebacker…has the frame to add size…regarded as one of the hardest-hitting defenders in his region…rated by Scout.com as the No. 32 safety prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 69 overall prospect in the west region and the fifth-best safety recruit in the region…listed by 24-7 Sports as the No. 62 safety recruit in the country…ranked by ESPN as the No. 90 athlete prospect in the nation…earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…chose ASU over multiple Pac-12 offers as well as ones from Houston, New Mexico and San Diego State…coached by Ryan Olson at Magnolia High. 

Tashon Smallwood, DL, FR, 6-1, 292, Fresno, Calif./Central HS

An elite lineman with the ability to thrive in the Sun Devil defensive scheme…a superb pass rusher with tremendous size…registered 40 sacks over his junior and senior seasons…brings the physical skill set necessary to contribute at a high level to ASU’s attacking defensive scheme…rated by PrepStar as the No. 252 overall recruit in America…a four-star recruit according to Scout and ESPN…listed by ESPN as the No. 19 defensive tackle recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 20 defensive tackle prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 38 overall prospect in the west region and the region’s third-best defensive tackle…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 32 defensive tackle recruit in the country…ranked by 24-7 Sports as the No. 44 defensive tackle recruit in the nation…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…chose ASU over multiple scholarship offers from Pac-12 programs as well as ones from Alabama, Boise State, Fresno State, Houston, Miami (Fla.), Nevada, Oklahoma, San Jose State and Wisconsin.

Dalvon Stuckey, DL, JR, 6-3, 308, Defuniak Springs, Fla./Walton HS/Pearl River CC

One of the nation’s most fearsome junior college defenders…the top junior college defensive tackle prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com…explosive and dominant at the point of attack…has the potential to be an instant-impact contributor on the Sun Devil defensive line…brings incredible size and strength to ASU…a four-star prospect according to ESPN and Rivals.com…also rated by ESPN as the second-best junior college defensive tackle prospect and the eighth-best overall junior college recruit in the country…regarded as the No. 12 overall junior college prospect in the nation according to Rivals.com…posted 25 tackles, including 5.0 for loss, with 2.0 sacks as a sophomore in 2013…recorded 85 tackles, including 23.0 for loss with 8.0 sacks as a junior college freshman in 2012…rated the nation’s No. 23 defensive tackle prospect by Rivals as a senior at Defuniak Springs (Fla.) Walton Senior High School as a member of the 2012 class…listed by ESPN as the No. 24 defensive tackle recruit in the nation that year…ranked the No. 34 high school defensive tackle recruit by Scout.com…signed with Florida State out of high school and also had offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Iowa State, Louisville, South Carolina and Texas A&M…chose ASU over Auburn…also had offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Louisville, Miami (Fla.), Nebraska and West Virginia…coached by William Jones at Pearl River Community College. 

Dasmond Tautalatasi, DB, FR, 6-1, 189, Concord, Calif./De La Salle HS

Heady, attacking defensive back…one of the top safety prospects in his region…helped guide De La Salle to a combined 29-1 record over his junior and senior seasons…earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…rated by Scout.com as the No. 31 safety prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 88 overall prospect in the west region and the fourth-best safety recruit in the region…rated by 24-7 Sports as the No. 168 safety recruit in the nation…listed by ESPN as the No. 184 athlete prospect in the country…a standout two-way player as a defender and running back…posted 49 tackles (36 solo) as a senior with three interceptions and two forced fumbles…registered 40 tackles (33 solo) as a junior in 2012 with two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery…starred on both sides of the ball as a junior with 1,034 rushing yards on 127 carries (8.1 avg.) with six touchdowns…totaled 1,130 all-purpose yards as a junior…saw limited action on varsity as a sophomore in 2011…chose ASU over Pac-12 scholarship interest as well as offers from Nevada and San Jose State…coached by Justin Alumbaugh at De La Salle High. 

Tyler Whiley, WR, FR, 6-0, 193, Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral HS

One of the absolute best prospects in Arizona and a nationally elite recruit…comes to ASU by way of one of the state’s most prominent high school football programs…unanimously regarded as a four-star prospect…standout two-way player in high school that exceled equally at wide receiver and defensive back… played in the 2014 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif.…rated by PrepStar as the No. 78 overall prospect in America…evaluated by ESPN as a cornerback and tabbed nationally as the No. 11 prospect at the position…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 18 athlete recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 21 wide receiver prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 21 overall prospect in the west region and the region’s fifth-best wide receiver…rated by 24-7 Sports as the No. 55 wide receiver prospect in the nation and the No. 10 overall recruit in the state of Arizona…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…earned First-Team Arizona All-State Division I honors by the Arizona Republic after his senior season…one of the most dynamic athletes on a national scale, he was equally prominent at wide receiver and defensive back in high school…also exceled on special teams…caught 41 passes for 587 yards (14.3 avg.) with seven touchdowns as a senior in 2013…added 98 carries for 702 yards (7.2 avg.) with 12 scores…collected 1,654 all-purpose yards as a senior…totaled 29 tackles (25 solo) with 16 pass deflections, six interceptions, four tackles-for-loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery…scored 20 total touchdowns as a senior…tallied 36 receptions for 610 yards (16.9 avg.) with 10 touchdowns as a junior in 2012…posted 929 all-purpose yards…totaled 49 tackles (34 solo) with seven tackles-for-loss, six pass deflections, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery…chose ASU over scholarship offers from nearly the entire Pac-12 as well as ones from Hawaii, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, San Diego State and Tennessee…coached by Dave Huffine at Chaparral High. 

Manny Wilkins, QB, FR, 6-2, 181, Novato, Calif./San Marin HS

One of the most talented quarterbacks in America…the most highly-rated quarterback to sign with ASU since 2005…a consummate team leader with a tireless work ethic…verbally committed to ASU in the summer before his senior season and was the leading force among the commitment class…incredibly coachable and a spectacular student of the game…dynamic on the football field and able to beat opponents throwing or running the ball…regarded as one of the best football players in the history of his county…expected to be a perfect fit for the Sun Devil offense and has immeasurable upside…played in the 2014 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Carson, Calif.…competed in the illustrious Elite-11 quarterback camp in 2013…was named the Nike Football Training Camps Top Underclassman and a member of the Oakland All-Nike Camp Team in the summer prior to his junior year…labeled a four-star prospect by Scout, ESPN and 24-7 Sports…rated the ninth-best dual threat quarterback in the nation by 24-7 Sports…listed by ESPN as the No. 13 dual-threat quarterback recruit in the country…rated by Scout.com as the No. 14 quarterback prospect in the nation…also ranked by Scout.com as the No. 41 overall prospect in the west region and the region’s third-best quarterback recruit…listed by Rivals.com as the No. 20 quarterback recruit in the country…also a three-year varsity contributor on San Marin’s basketball team…mentioned on the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune’s “Western 100” list after his senior season…earned All-West Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…threw for 2,195 yards with 21 touchdowns and rushed 155 times for 811 yards with 15 scores…passed for 2,335 yards with 19 touchdowns and rushed 152 times for 567 yards with seven scores as a junior in 2012…played sparingly as a sophomore on varsity in 2011…chose ASU over Pac-12 scholarship interest as well as offers from Colorado State, Utah State and Wyoming…coached by Steve Stanfel at San Marin High.

Renell Wren, DL, FR, 6-4.5, 255, St. Louis, Mo./Lutheran HS

High-impact defender with great height and versatility…a rare signee from the state of Missouri for ASU and one of the state’s best players…starred at basketball as well…earned First-Team All-State honors as a senior…played multiple defensive line positions in high school…rated by Scout.com as a four-star prospect and the No. 36 defensive end recruit in the nation…regarded by Scout.com as the top defensive lineman in the state of Missouri and the state’s sixth-best overall recruit…listed by ESPN as the No. 106 defensive end recruit in the country… earned All-Midlands Region honors by PrepStar after his senior season…runs a 4.65 40-yard dash, bench presses 305 pounds and squats 505…chose ASU over reported scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan State, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Northern Illinois and Purdue…coached by Brian Simmons at Lutheran North High.