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Sun Devils in the NFL: Midseason Update

by thesundevils.com
Nov 11, 2021

At the midway point of the 2021-22 NFL Season, Sun Devil Football has already had an influence. With nine Sun Devils currently on NFL rosters and several more pushing for a promotion on practice squads, the league is littered with Maroon & Gold connections. Whether it be standout ball carriers, dynamic pass catchers, maulers in the trenches, or special teams' weapons, former Arizona State stars are making a name for themselves. Read more about the impact Sun Devil Football has had in the NFL so far this season:

Eno Benjamin (Arizona Cardinals)
OVERVIEW
A former All-Conference running back, Benjamin is entering his second year with the Cardinals after being drafted by them in the Seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Benjamin looks to showcase his skills after being inactive last season.  Benjamin made a strong impression during the preseason but has yet to be active this season.

MIDSEASON UPDATE
Good things happen to those who wait and Eno Benjamin can attest to that. After being inactive for the first six weeks, Benjamin was activated week 7 to make his NFL debut. He recorded eight rushing yards on two attempts, but he was only getting started. Benjamin had his breakout game against the 49ers where he had 39 yards on 9 attempts. His biggest run was a 21-yard run where he trucked a 49ers defender before walking into the endzone for his first career touchdown.

Brandon Aiyuk (San Francisco 49ers)
OVERVIEW
Aiyuk is entering his second season with the 49ers after being taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Aiyuk looks to develop his game more after exploding on to the scene with 60 receptions for 748 yards and 7 total touchdowns.  In year two, Brandon has recorded five receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown. On special teams, Aiyuk has recorded four returns and 10.8 yards per return.

MIDSEASON UPDATE
In his second season with the 49ers, Aiyuk has shown flashes of brilliance for the team that took him 25th overall in the 2020 NFL draft. His best game came against the Arizona Cardinals where he recorded 6 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. Battling injuries, Aiyuk looks to build on his latest performance as the 49ers battle to make the playoffs.
 
Zane Gonzalez (Detroit Lions)
OVERVIEW
Former Lou Groza award winner, Gonzalez is entering his fifth season with his fourth team, the Detroit Lions. Gonzalez is coming off a season where he made 97% of his extra point attempts and kicked a career long 56-yard field goal. After starting the season on the Lions practice squad, Gonzalez was picked up by the Panthers where he is now flourishing. On the season Gonzalez is 3/4 on FGs, with his longest being from 42 yards and 5/6 on XP attempts.
 
MIDSEASON UPDATE
One of the most decorated kickers in Sun Devil football history, Gonzalez has found his footing with the Panthers. Since week three, Gonzalez has been perfect in field goal attempts and extra point attempts. In week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez carried the team to the win by kicking four field goals including a 57-yarder that was a career long in the Panthers 19-13 win over the Falcons. Because of his four field goal performance, Gonzalez was named NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
Lawrence Guy (New England Patriots)
OVERVIEW
A former standout linemen in Tempe, Guy is entering his fifth season with the Patriots.  Guy looks to help anchor a defense that returns multiple key pieces after many sat out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his 11th season in the NFL, Guy has 12 total tackles and has helped anchor a defense that has caused five interceptions and six sacks.
  
MIDSEASON UPDATE
In his fifth season with the Patriots, Guy has helped anchor one of the top defenses in the NFL. The Patriots defense ranks first in interceptions with 13 and ninth in yards per rushing attempt with a 4.1 average. On the season Guy has 25 total tackles and one sack.
 
Matt Haack (Buffalo Bills)
OVERVIEW
Haack is entering his fifth season in the NFL and first with the Bills. The Bills are getting a man who flips the field with a career average of 44.94 yards and 116 punts inside the 20. In his fifth year, Haack has averaged 46.4 yards in nine punt attempts and has pinned teams inside the 20 four times.
  
MIDSEASON UPDATE
Haack has been the field flipper for the Bills. Averaging 44.6 yards per punt, a big number that stands out for the punter is he's only given up 38 yards on nine returns, which is second best in the league.
 
Tommy Hudson (Tennessee Titans)
OVERVIEW
A workhorse during his days in Tempe, Hudson is entering year two with the Titans after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent in 2020. Hudson looks to display his blocking ability he showed while in Tempe. After starting the season on the Practice Squad, Hudson found his way on to the active roster and has been active for two games.
  
MIDSEASON UPDATE
After being elevated from the practice squad, Hudson has appeared sparingly for the Titans. Hudson has recorded three catches for for 31 yards in three games. Hudson is currently on injured reserve after injuring his ankle against the New York Jets
 
Kalen Ballage (Pittsburgh Steelers)
OVERVIEW
Ballage is entering his first year with the Steelers after bouncing around two team's last season. Ballage looks to build on last season where he had 303 yards in 91 rushing attempts. This season Ballage has appeared in two games for the Steelers and has made an impact on special teams.

MIDSEASON UPDATE
Kalen Ballage has appeared in all but one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Mostly appearing on special teams, Ballage has started to work himself into quality offensive reps behind rookie running back Najee Harris.

Frank Darby (Atlanta Falcons)
OVERVIEW
Darby is entering his first season with the Falcons after a decorated career in Tempe, where he averaged almost 20 yards a catch. Darby was drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and looks to showcase the deep play ability with the Falcons.  While he is on the 53-man roster, Darby has yet to be activated for the game day roster.
 
MIDSEASON UPDATE
In his first season in the NFL, Darby has appeared in two games but hasn't recorded any statistics. As the season progresses, Darby looks to showcase his talents that made the New Jersey product a threat in Tempe.
 
N'Keal Harry (New England Patriots)
OVERVIEW
A former All-Conference wide receiver, Harry is entering his third year with the Patriots after being drafted in the first round in 2019 with the 32nd pick by the Patriots. Harry looks to build off his sophomore campaign where he doubled his receptions and yards with 33 receptions for 309 yards in 14 games played. Harry set a career-high in yards per reception with 9.4. Harry started the season on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury suffered in a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

MIDSEASON UPDATE
After starting the season on injured reserve, Harry has slowly come along for the Patriots. He's appeared in five games with one start. As he gets back to the rhythm of things, Harry will try to showcase the deep threat ability he showcased that made him an All-Pac-12 player.
 
 

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