ASU Football: Rashad Wadood will not return next season

Would be redshirt junior cornerback Rashad Wadood will not return to the Arizona State football team next season for unspecified reasons. ASUdevils.com first broke the news on Twitter.

Rashad Wadood won't be back at ASU next season according to multiple sources close to the development.

— ASUDevils.com (@ASUDevilscom) June 12, 2014

Wadood was named the starter at boundary corner when the spring depth chart was released in April and was already filling a vacancy left by the graduation of Osahon Irabor and Robert Nelson. This means the spot is back open for competition but the rest of the options on the roster are even more inexperienced. Redshirt freshman William Earley is listed as Wadood's official backup but hasn't seen time yet on the field. Redshirt junior Solomon Means could also take his place but he only saw action in one game last season against Sacramento State.

Wadood saw playing time as a true freshman in 2011, playing in 10 games and making six tackles before tearing his ACL against Washington State. His luck was no better in 2012 when a torn labrum put him out for the season. Last season he appeared in 10 games but all seven of his tackles came against Colorado. The Long Beach, California native started most of the spring alongside Lloyd Carrington who had 25 tackles and an interception last season.

Other newcomers who could compete for Wadood's spot in fall camp include local four-star cornerback recruit Tyler Whiley out of Chaparral High School and four-star junior college transfer Kweishi Brown. Brown was the No. 24 JUCO recruit in the entire country according to ESPN's JUCO top 50.

Next year's defensive backfield will have to replace a lot of production regardless of who starts. The Sun Devils had 21 interceptions last season which led the Pac-12 and was third in the country. The maroon and gold have had 42 interceptions over the past two years good for second in the nation behind Houston (44).

Thursday 9 a.m. update: Confirmed part of the AZ Central report saying Wadood will meet with Todd Graham before the release is finalized.

Thursday 12 p.m. update: Wadood releases the following statement via Facebook: "I have never failed a drug test, missed a workout, showed up late, been suspended, been in any academic trouble and Ive also earned the scholar baller academic award. So no, I was not forced to leave ASU, I chose to leave. To clear that up."

Thursday 12:30 p.m. update: Wadood is officially granted his release from his scholarship and the ASU football team.