Quarterback
Andrew Walter (senior) will be given the ball for a third starting nod. Despite a stellar sophomore season, Walter slid in both yards and touchdowns during 2003. He also delivered only a 219.7 average during the Sun Devils seven unexpected, debilitating losses. While Walter's failures were consistently responsible for Arizona State's failures, he will once again be the crux of the Sun Devils' offense. Not withstanding 2003, he will be able to recover - he should produce amidst the non-defensive minded Pac Ten. Walter only completed a few more than half his attempts, but 24 TD passes offsets his inconsistent aim. If Walter fails, then head coach Dirk Koetter could hand the ball to either Sam Keller (sophomore), Chad Christensen (junior), or Mike Affleck (sophomore). Before the 2003 season, Keller was just another highly recruited signee from San Ramon Valley HS. Keller made the team, but not the depth chart (listed 5th on the 2003 official Spring Prospectus). He eventually leapt over the others to become Walter's backup. Look for Sam to get more action as Koetter commits to grooming him as a 2005 starter.

Running Back
Within the Sun Devils' running back core, there is an eclectic lot currently void of a defining lead. Atop this contingent is Loren Wade (sophomore), who strode into a leading role, despite his own opening depth chart position of fifth. Standing astride his position is Cornell Canidate (junior), who led the Sun Devils in rushing in 2002. As Walter slid in 2003, Wade pushed production past Candidate's '02 total of 493 yards to 773. However, that number still placed Wade only fifth amongst the Pacific Ten in rushing. Thus, a repeat of those numbers would not improve Arizona State's lackluster offensive balance. Wade will assume a commanding offensive role. Also expected to contribute are Hakim Hill (junior) and Randy Hill (red shirt sophomore).

Wide Receiver
For Walter to be effective, he will have to be aided by a mix of wide receivers. Leading this lot will be junior Derek Hagan, who has recorded 98 receptions and 1,481 yards during the last two seasons. Two years ago, he broke John Jefferson’s freshman receiving record and then followed that up with a stellar sophomore campaign where he was an honorable-mention All-Pac-10 selection. The onus for leadership will fall upon Hagan, especially since Skyler Fulton has graduated, and someone has to compensate for the 901 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns that Fulton amassed last season. Despite defining himself as the Sun Devils second leading receiver in 2002, Daryl Lightfoot transferred to nearby Northern Arizona Univ. after a bout with unhappiness in Tempe that led to only 11 catches in 2003. Also striding into a complimentary role this season will be third ranked pass catcher Matt Miller (junior). To give whichever QB an equal balance amongst wide receivers. For ASU to avoid their previous fate, Miller will need to aid in balancing this corps. Also needing to contribute will be Terry Richardson (sophomore), Moey Mutz (junior), and Rudy Burgess (sophomore). Richardson caught 16 passes for 236 yards last fall. According to Coach Koetter, Terry has the ability to be a great player in the league.

Tight End

ASU's new H-back position and a double-tight end set will present a multitude of looks to opposing defenses this fall. The tight end and the H-back are separate positions but are interchangeable by assignment. Junior Lee Burghgraef is the returning starter at tight end. He caught six passes for 62 yards last year, and he proved to be one of the team’s best run-blockers. Sophomore Jamaal Lewis caught 10 passes for 99 yards and two touchdowns last year as a tight end but will line up this fall as an Hback. Within the aerial shimmer of the Arizona State offense, there has unfortunately been little request for all tight ends. In short, a splendid season for them would be topping their '03 total of 16 catches. As with the fullback position (apparently now defunct), coaches need more focus on getting the ball to the TE so needed balance can be achieved.

Offensive Line
Due to the rapid-fire pace of Pac Ten play, a premium has been placed on offensive line finesse. Thus, the fact the Arizona State's returnees possess only one 300-plus pounded is not surprising. Similarly, the Sun Devils should struggle early. This will occur due to the existence of only one senior, Drew Hodgdon, on the entire two-deep depth chart. But these departures could be a blessing in disguise to overcome last year's pedestrian 3.5 yards per rush average. Improvement will be up to the three returning starters, especially the anchor of senior C Drew Hodgdon, to make it so. Grayling Love, a second-team All-Pac-10 selection last year, will get the nod at left guard. Carnahan, who started every game at left tackle a year ago, was named to the Sporting News Pac-10 Conference All-Freshman team. Look for the line to shuffle positions here or there to make of for the lack on veterans.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
While Walter's play did slide during 2003, his effectiveness will be last amongst Arizona State's overall concerns. In short, there is little question that Walter will produce numbers. The question lies within the effectiveness of the Sun Devils supporting cast. Additionally, athletic talent could be at issue both within the skill positions and along the offensive interior. Again finishing in the mid-40s for total offense can do for the Sun Devils, but ranking 96th in rushing cannot, at least if they expect it to reflect any overall team results. For Arizona State to reclaim bowl status, Wade will have to garner between 875-1,000 yards catching the pigskin. The receiving corps will also have to glimmer, as a minimum of four players will have to record 30 or more receptions. Excelling both tight ends and H-back involvement, as well as staunch offensive line play, would also produce their desired ends.

Defensive Line
Ranking 53rd in rushing defense won't get you anywhere in the physically-lacking Pac Ten. Seniors Jimmy Verdon and Ishmael Thrower did combine to provide a solid balance at defensive end - 14.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks prove this, huh. Despite this, though, the Sun Devils will need to improve their pass rushing prowess. This dictates that both will need to increase their previous outputs. Kyle Caldwell, who was named to the Sporting News’ Pac-10 All-Freshman Team, should be much more seasoned and add to the pressure factor. Junior Mike Talbot, a converted fullback who put on 20 pounds since last season, will also figure into the mix. The Sun Devils DTs were devastated by graduation. Lost are both 72 total tackles and 44 combined career starting assignments. Senior Connor Banks added 25 pounds in the off-season, enabling him to move from end to tackle, where he’ll play alongside senior Gabe Reininger and sophomores Jordan Hill. Hill made the move to defensive tackle from linebacker after adding 25 pounds. Reininger appeared in every game last season, making 12 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss.

Linebacker
Leading the linebackers will be junior Jamar Williams - he led ASU with 10.5 TFLs. While he will be the Sun Devils unquestioned second tier leader, the play of senior Justin Burks will be just as vital. If Burks and Williams can relieve the secondary's tackling burden, then the Arizona State should be able to garner a modicum of respectability. Both are capable of posting even bigger numbers this year in ASU’s new three-linebacker set. Juniors Matt Fawley and Lamar Baker, both of whom played safety last season, will compete for the starting “Devil” linebacker spot, the equivalent of a rover. Modeled after current St. Louis Ram Adam Archuleta, the Devil backer is expected to be able to adjust to oneback sets and must be a good blitzer. Ironically, the last time an ASU defense used the term “Devil Back,” the player who manned the spot was perennial All-Pro Darren Woodson of the Dallas Cowboys.

Defensive Back
Within the atmospheric play of the Pac Ten, solid secondary play is always a prime factor in winning. In 2004, the Sun Devils pass defense will be spearheaded by the veteran combination of R.J. Oliver and Chris McKenzie. Both mid-sized senior CBs had but two INTs and four pass breakups each, so they will have to step up to change their 95th pass defense ranking from '03. Also expected to make considerable contributions will be juniors Mike Davis Jr. and Josh Golden. Paired with their starting counterparts, these reservists should provide both solid depth and essential services within nickel situations. The fundamental leader of Arizona State's safeties is senior Riccardo Stewart. With the draft defection of Jason Shivers, Stewart's 84 tackles will return as the Sun Devils leading tackler. Accordingly, for Arizona State to be successful this season, Stewart has to be somewhat similar to the late Johnny Cash - "the man in back". It presently seems that only he can patch this war-torn crew to any next level(s). Senior Emmanuel Franklin successfully moved from cornerback to safety this spring and has played his way into the starting lineup on many downs.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
Defense has never been a jewel of Pac Ten play. With that stated, Arizona State's defensive play will not be consistent. Each level will need to compliment the others, but will more likely one will excel as others marginally falter. If the ravaged defensive line can disrupt their opponent's timing, then they can get their LBs loose, thereby allowing them to record tackles. In turn, the LBs would relieve the secondary's tackling responsibilities. If these three systems can simultaneously engage, Arizona State might contend for a conference championship.