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ASU Football: 'Summer of Legends' No. 65 Todd Kalis

Our next Sun Devil legend was a three-year starter for Arizona State in the trenches.

No. 65 isn't chalk full of potential legends, but many solid contributors wore the number.
No. 65 isn't chalk full of potential legends, but many solid contributors wore the number.

The Backstory: Number 65 in our countdown of Sun Devil legends is a local product who lettered in tennis, football and track and field while in high school. He wanted to stay close to home so his parents could see him play football at the collegiate level. He is former Sun Devil offensive lineman Todd Kalis.

The Player: Todd Kalis (1983-1987)

Kalis started off his Sun Devil career on the defensive line. He redshirted in 1983 and the following season, ASU head coach Daryl Rodgers informed Kalis that he would be moving to the offensive side of the ball.

After not playing a lot in 1984, Kalis started every game for the Sun Devils at right guard in 1985 for head coach John Cooper. The Sun Devils went 8-3 that season, losing to the Arkansas Razorbacks 18-17 in the 1985 Holiday Bowl.

Kalis was a key member of the ASU offensive line in 1986, as the Sun Devils went 9-1-1 and were crowned Pac-10 Champions. The Sun Devils beat the Michigan Wolverines in the 1987 Rose Bowl 22-15, their only Rose Bowl victory in school history.

Kalis once again started at guard in 1987, as the Sun Devils went 7-4-1 including a victory over Air Force in the Freedom Bowl. Kalis finished his Arizona State career with 36 consecutive starts and was invited to the 1987 Senior Bowl.

In the Pros

Kalis was selected in the fourth round by the Minnesota Vikings. He played six seasons for the Vikings, starting only 15 games for the Purple and White.

In 1994, Kalis signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers and won the starting right guard position. He started all 11 games he played in that season, before a broken ankle ended his season.

In 1995, the veteran was released on the last day of training camp by the Steelers. He signed with the Cincinnati Bengals where he spent the final season of his career in 1996.

Honorable Mentions

Ron Scarfo (1962-1964) While Scarfo never started for the Sun Devils, he nabbed our attention as an Honorable Mention because he was a team captain in 1964.

Chris Lorenzen: (1974-1975): Lorenzen was only a roster player for two seasons, but he managed to pick up Honorable Mention All-Western Conference honors at defensive tackle in 1975.