It seems like it was just a month ago that we were answering five questions about ASU’s football recruiting class of 2009.

That didn’t stop ASU from offering a scholarship to and receiving a verbal commitment from Chandler High running back Taylor Walstad over the weekend. As a junior, the 6-foot 205-pound Walstad had 80 touches for 691 yards and seven touchdowns.

Walstad’s commitment extends Dennis Erickson’s mission to restock the running back position in preparation for the loss of a trio of seniors in 2009. A quick look at the position:

• Seniors – Shaun DeWitty, Dimitri Nance, Jarrell Woods
• Juniors – none
• Sophomores – Ryan Bass, Avory Battle (walk-on)
• RS-Freshmen – James Morrison
• Freshmen – Cameron Marshall, Jamal Miles, Marcus Washington
• High schoolers – Taylor Walstad

So, Walstad should be jumping into some stiff competition when he arrives on campus in 2010. Not that he seems like one to shy from a fight, if the video below is any indication.

Does he have what it takes? Check out the video below and decide for yourself.

Oh, and if you catch a glimpse of a 6-foot-7 285-pound behemoth blocking for Walstad, that’s teammate William Poehls. Big No. 75 is expected to be on ASU’s radar soon.

Thanks to maxpreps.com for the statistics and photo!

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Dennis Erickson is 61 years old and not getting any younger. So his weekend promotion of a 30-something wunderkind with head coaching bloodlines and a reputation as a five-star recruiter looks to us like tapping an heir apparent.

ASU’s new assistant head coach, 38-year-old Matt Lubick, is the son of long-time Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick.

He coaches safeties at ASU, but more importantly he coordinates ASU’s recruiting efforts with a primary area of responsibility is Los Angeles where he butts heads against the Pac-10’s heavy hitters—and wins his share of battles.

Lubick was one of the top 25 recruiters of 2009 according to Rivals.com. He was one of only three Pac-10 coaches on the list along with Norm Chow of UCLA and Ken Norton Jr. of USC. Here’s what they said about Lubick:

“In Lubick’s time at ASU, he quickly has established himself as one of the best recruiters in the Pac-10 and in the nation. Pulling off the [Signing Day] surprise with five-star linebacker Vontaze Burfict from USC alone might be enough to get recognition on this list, but his overall body of work is quite impressive. He landed two other four-star recruits, and he’s quickly become a well-respected recruiter in California’s loaded Inland Empire.”

This year alone Lubick’s list of high-profile recruits included Burfict, defensive back Osahon Irabor and athlete Matthew Tucker.

He’s responsible for the Corona pipeline which over the last two seasons has landed six athletes at ASU, and his personal ties to the Rockies have landed him in living rooms from Colorado (Jack Elway) to Montana (Brock Osweiler).

What does this mean for the future of ASU football? Well, nothing if the Sun Devils continue their tailspin from last season.

But if Erickson can guide the program back to respectability this season and then ride the momentum of back-to-back top 30 recruiting classes to big seasons in 2010 and 2011, he’ll be 64 and able to pick his successor when he chooses to retire.

Why not name the assistant head coach that signed your quarterback, built half your defense and recruits the most important metropolitan area on the West Coast?

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( Photo by the amazing Robert Kline)

Dennis Erickson hasn’t rested in upgrading the Sun Devil football roster since Signing Day a week ago. ASU has added three bodies since we broke down the football Class of 2009 with a quick Q&A.

The biggest late addition was veteran linebacker Gerald Munns. In a monster game against Stanford, Munns registered seven tackles (including one without a helmet), a deflection and an interception—all with a broken pinkie that required the insertion of pins days later. Munns was named Pac-10 defensive player of the week for the effort.

However, Munns played just three games as he sat out against UNLV and then left the team after the Georgia loss to deal with personal matters. Those matters are apparently behind him. Now that he’s back, it’ll be interesting to follow the training camp battle between Munns and highly-regarded freshman Vontaze Burfict.

The Sun Devils also secured late commitments from a pair of high schoolers.

Kipeli Koniseti wasn’t offered a scholarship by ASU heading into signing day. But Erickson pulled the trigger that afternoon and landed the dual threat quarterback/linebacker from Sacramento.

Don’t expect to see Koniseti on the field this season as the coaching staff figures out where they want to play him. He’s currently listed as an athlete.

And yesterday, the Sun Devils landed Jarrid Bryant an athletic receiver-returner who spent last year playing football and basketball for a prep school in Connecticut where he eight touchdowns on returns and two touchdowns on just eight catches.

Before heading for Connecticut, Bryant went to Corona Centennial, a school that has now sent six grads in the last two years to ASU. Like Koniseti, it may time some time to get Bryant up to speed.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for something to get excited about now, check out Vontaze Burfict’s highlight reel or watch Corey Adams in action.

Sun Devil Class of 2009

Corey Adams, DT, 6-foot-3, 292 pounds, Scottsdale (Saguaro)
Jarrid Bryant, WR, 6-foot-4, 185 pound, Salisbury, CN (Salisbury Prep)
Vontaze Burfict, LB, 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Corona, CA (Centennial)
Christopher Coyle, TE, 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Westlake Village, CA (Oaks Christian)
Dean Deleone, DE, 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Park City, UT (Orange Coast CC)
Evan Finkenberg, OL, 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Tesoro)
J.J. Holliday, WR, 6-foot, 165 pounds, Tucson (Santa Rita)
Osahon Irabor, CB, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Upland, CA (Upland)
Anthony Jones, LB, 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, Chandler (Hamilton)
Kipeli Koniseti, ATH, 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Sacramento, CA (Grant)
Kody Koebensky, OL, 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, Scottsdale (Saguaro)
LeQuan Lewis, CB, 6-foot, 195 pounds, Norwalk, CA (Cerritos College)
Cameron Marshall, RB, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, San Jose, CA (Valley Christian).
Shane McCullen, S, 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, Apache Junction (Apache Junction)
Jamal Miles, RB, 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Peoria (Peoria)
Brock Osweiler, QB, 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, Kalispell, MT (Flathead)
Gregory Smith, DE, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Perris, CA (Citrus Hill)
Max Smith, TE, 6-foot-2, 258 pounds, Scottsdale (Saguaro)
William Sutton, DT, 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Corona, CA (Centennial)
Fred Thornton, OL, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Phoenix (South Mountain)
Matthew Tucker, S, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Aurora, CO (Grandview)
Marcus Washington, RB, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Phoenix (Desert Vista)

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1. So, how does the Class of 2009 stack up?

This class of 19 high schoolers and two JC transfers – including the four who signed in December – is about middle of the Pac. Rivals, ESPNU and Scout ranked the class between fourth and sixth in the conference. Nationally, the class was ranked 26th and 29th by Scout and Rivals, respectively. Last year, our class was ranked 17th and 21st.

If not for the late addition of Vontaze Burfict, the class surely would have ranked in the 30s as it did in Erickson’s first season. Still, recruiting is all about stacking quality classes, so consecutive Top 30 classes built on high schoolers rather than JC transfers is a sign of good things to come.

2. Speaking of Vontaze, how good is this kid?

Well, you saw the video, right? The professionals also like what they see out of Burfict, a 6-foot-3 245-pound linebacker from Corona (CA) Centennial. He’s a five-star recruit and the top middle linebacker prospect in the country.

ASU claims that he’s the highest ranked high school prospect ever to sign with the school—topping Zach Miller, Terrell Suggs and a host of guys from the Frank Kush era that were too early to be ranked by the Internet scouting services. When asked to compare Burfict to a former player, Dennis Erickson said: “I guess I could say Ray Lewis, but I don’t want to put that kind of pressure on him.” High praise indeed.

3. What happened to all the big names in Arizona?

ASU hauled in nine prospects from the state of Arizona, but missed out on four of the top five as Desert Vista defensive tackle Devon Kennard picked USC, Palo Verde receiver Adam Hall stayed home in Tucson, and Chaparral linemen Craig Roh and Taylor Lewan headed for Michigan.

However, Erickson made amends by signing Saguaro’s Corey Adams, a monster defensive tackle who picked ASU over USC and Ohio State. A five-star recruit, the 6-foot-3 290-pound Adams could start alongside Lawrence Guy as a true freshman next season. (Check out Corey Adams’ highlight video.

4. Shouldn’t we have signed some offensive linemen?

The offensive line was atrocious last year, but don’t expect it to get any better because of the guys ASU signed yesterday. Evan Finkenberg, Kody Koebensky and Fred Thornton may end up fine players, but they won’t be ready to meaningfully contribute this fall.

The Sun Devils played a number of promising youngsters last year including Zach Schlink, who was lost midway through the season to a knee injury. When ASU failed to uncover a junior college lineman who was ready to contribute immediately, it fell back on Schlink and his buddies to carry the load. Experience and age can only help.

5. Now it’s your turn.

What are your thoughts on this year’s class? Vote for the player you think will have the biggest impact on the left. And drop your thoughts in the comments below.

Sun Devil Class of 2009

Corey Adams, DT, 6-foot-3, 292 pounds, Scottsdale (Saguaro)
Vontaze Burfict, LB, 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Corona, CA (Centennial)
Christopher Coyle, TE, 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Westlake Village, CA (Oaks Christian)
Dean Deleone, DE, 6-foot-3, 255 pounds, Park City, UT (Orange Coast CC)
Evan Finkenberg, OL, 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA (Tesoro)
J.J. Holliday, WR, 6-foot, 165 pounds, Tucson (Santa Rita)
Osahon Irabor, CB, 5-foot-11, 183 pounds, Upland, CA (Upland)
Anthony Jones, LB, 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, Chandler (Hamilton)
Kipeli Koniseti, ATH, 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, Sacramento, CA (Grant)
Kody Koebensky, OL, 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, Scottsdale (Saguaro)
LeQuan Lewis, CB, 6-foot, 195 pounds, Norwalk, CA (Cerritos College)
Cameron Marshall, RB, 5-foot-11, 210 pounds, San Jose, CA (Valley Christian).
Shane McCullen, S, 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, Apache Junction (Apache Junction)
Jamal Miles, RB, 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, Peoria (Peoria
Brock Osweiler, QB, 6-foot-8, 235 pounds, Kalispell, MT (Flathead)
Gregory Smith, DE, 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, Perris, CA (Citrus Hill)
Max Smith, TE, 6-foot-2, 258 pounds, Scottsdale (Saguaro)
William Sutton, DT, 6-foot-2, 275 pounds, Corona, CA (Centennial)
Fred Thornton, OL, 6-foot-4, 310 pounds, Phoenix (South Mountain)
Matthew Tucker, S, 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, Aurora, CO (Grandview)
Marcus Washington, RB, 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, Phoenix (Desert Vista)

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The Sun Devils appear to be in for some very good news sometime today. If Riverside Press Enterprise sources are to be believed, a letter of intent from Vontaze Burfict (featured in the video above) is on its way to Tempe.

The jilting of USC by the nation’s top linebacker – who hails fromt heir own backyard – is one of those expect the unexpected moments on the recruiting trail. Expect more such moments today as the letters of intent roll in to Tempe.

Here’s Rivals.com’s Jeremy Crabtree‘s take in the Arizona Republic: “He would instantly become the headliner in an already impressive class. He’s a seek-and-destroy linebacker who competed at the highest level of high school and dominated, then did it on a national stage at the Army (All-American Bowl) game. He’s one of the hardest hitters I’ve seen in 10 years.”

Burfict apparently chose the Sun Devils because he likes ASU’s academic support program and because his Corona Centennial teammates Ryan Bass, Shelly Lyons and Brandon Magee are already in Tempe and current teammate Will Sutton is en route.

Where does this leave ASU in the scholarship department? (If you’re a regular reader, this breakdown will look familiar to you.)

ASU starts with 85 scholarships, and 62 scholarship players from last year’s team are due to return next fall.

• Junior college transfers DE Dean DeLeone and DB LeQuan Lewis and high schoolers QB Brock Osweiler and S Matthew Tucker have already signed and will enroll this spring.
• Walk-ons RB James Morrison, DB Pierre Singfield and SN Thomas Ohmart were expected to earn scholarships.
• And 2008 signees WR Kemonte Bateman, who was academically ineligible, and WR Allante Battle, who’s in school on a track scholarship, will count against the final tally.

That leaves about 14 scholarships and about 17 unsigned recruits. So expect Bateman or high schooler Anthony Rose to come up short academically, a high schooler to grey shirt and come onboard next winter, or our walk-ons to remain without scholarship.

Or, expect the unexpected today. You never know what could happen on Signing Day.

Class of 2009
Burfict’s commitment pushed the number of unsigned Class of 2009 commitments to 17.

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The Sun Devils lost hometown defensive lineman Devon Kennard to USC this week, but they may get even today. That’s because Vontaze Burfict, the nation’s top linebacker out of Corona, Calif., is expected to announce his intention to jilt the Trojans in favor of ASU.

Why? Because he likes ASU’s academic support program and because his Corona Centennial teammates Ryan Bass, Shelly Lyons and Brandon Magee are already in Tempe and current teammate Will Sutton is en route.

Wondering how the No. 1 linebacker prospect in the country looks against high school competition? Check out the video below.

The Sun Devils already added offensive lineman Evan Finkenberg and running back Cameron Marshall to the fold this week. And ASU is hosting visits from defensive lineman Justin Brown and linebacker Kipeli Koniseti this weekend.

Where does this leave ASU in the scholarship department Well, ASU starts with 85 scholarships, and 62 scholarship players from last year’s team are due to return next fall.

• Junior college transfers DE Dean DeLeone and DB LeQuan Lewis and high schoolers QB Brock Osweiler and S Matthew Tucker have already signed and will enroll this spring.
• Walk-ons RB James Morrison, DB Pierre Singfield and SN Thomas Ohmart were expected to earn scholarships.
• And 2008 signees WR Kemonte Bateman, who was academically ineligible, and WR Allante Battle, who’s in school on a track scholarship, will count against the final tally.

That leaves about 14 scholarships, and Marshall and Finkenberg pushed our number of unsigned recruits to 16. So expect Bateman or high schooler Anthony Rose to come up short academically, a high schooler to grey shirt and come onboard next winter, or our walk-ons to remain without scholarship.

There’s still a lot of time between now and Wednesday.

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(Photo courtesy East Valley Tribune)

Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson has reportedly hauled in a couple more big catches—with the biggest fish possibly coming Tuesday morning.

Though he’s not publicly announced his decision, San Jose running back Cameron Marshall has chosen ASU over Northwestern, Oregon and Utah—if the rumor mill is to be trusted. The 5-foot-10 210-pound back rushed for 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior.

Also, offensive tackle Evan Finkenberg has publicly committed to the Sun Devils. A native of Orange County, Finkenberg is 6 feet 5 and 255 pounds and will need to develop his game after moving to the line from tight end last summer.

The biggest fish could be on the line soon. Five-star end Devon Kennard of Phoenix Desert Vista will announce his college intentions Tuesday morning. He’s reportedly leaning away from ASU and toward California, Texas or USC. But you never know.

Meanwhile, Vontaze Burfict, a five-star linebacker from the Corona Centennial pipeline that has already placed three alums at ASU, continues to consider ASU, although he’s verbally committed to USC and is considered by some an academic risk.

At least one cog in the rumor mill already has Burfict committed to the Sun Devils.

Two other names getting tossed around are linebacker Eric Martin and wide receiver Randall Carroll. Still plenty of time between now and next Wednesday!

Class of 2009
The week’s commitments pushed the number of unsigned Class of 2009 commitments to 16.

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Arizona State football coach Dennis Erickson may have unearthed a diamond in the rough yesterday when he landed his 14th verbal commitment.

The latest addition to the Class of 2009 is 6 feet 3 and 235 pounds. He can play four positions. Oh yeah, and he’s 19 years old.

Meet tight end/fullback/linebacker/defensive end Greg Smith, who was recently described as “so raw, it’s a little scary, his upside is tremendous” by his coach at Perris Citrus Hill in California’s Riverside County.

Smith’s age and, uh, rawness are aftereffects of tremendous struggles earlier in his life. The Riverside Press-Enterprise recently documented Smith’s struggles.

“Back then, Smith was choosing where to sleep at night. With his mother battling drug addiction, Smith dropped out of Alta Loma High his freshman year and began washing cars to support himself. He bounced around, spending his nights at the homes of various family members and friends. “I was homeless,” Smith said. “It was a tough time.“

ASU plucked Smith away from a who’s who of non-BCS West Coast powers, but Oregon was reportedly gaining interest in taking on the project.

The guess here is that ASU’s improving defensive depth will land Smith on the offensive side of the ball as a tight end/fullback hybrid. Smith had 33 catches for 712 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior.

For the record, his teammate Deontae Cooper is a 6-foot, 185-pound running back who rushed for 3,000 yards and 43 touchdowns this year. Too bad he’s a junior.

Class of 2009
Smith’s commitment pushed the number of unsigned Class of 2009 commitments to 14. Click here for a rundown on our scholarship situation.

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