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ASU Football: Sun Devils welcome eight mid-year enrollees

The Sun Devils will bring in a school-record eight early enrollees in their 2016 recruiting class, including six junior college players.

By Ryan Bafaloukos
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Wednesday marks the start of the junior college signing period and the Sun Devils officially announced six JUCO signings for the class of 2016. Those six, plus two high school early enrollees make eight members of the 2016 recruiting class who will be on campus in January and participate in spring practice.

Let's break down the eight newest Sun Devils.

DE Koran Crump (6-3, 220) - Fort Scott Community College (Kansas)

Rankings (Rankings are JUCO players only)

247 Sports: No. 3 WDE (No. 26 Overall, 3-star

ESPN: No. 5 DE, 3-star

Rivals: No. 37 Overall, 3-star

Scout: No. 26 Overall, 4-star

Offers: Baylor, Cincinnati, Illinois, New Mexico, Tennessee, Wyoming

How He Fits: Crump is a Devilbacker prospect who will likely compete for playing time right away. The Sun Devils lose star pass rusher Antonio Longinio and Crump will compete alongside Ismael Murphy-Richardson for time at Devil in 2016 and he could also play Spur linebacker.

CB J'Marcus Rhodes (6-2, 205) - Kilgore College (Texas)

Rankings

247 Sports: No. 2 CB (No. 14 Overall), 4-star

ESPN: No. 3 CB (No. 26 Overall), 4-star

Rivals: No. 27 Overall, 3-star

Scout: No. 30 Overall, 4-star

Offers: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa State, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas A&M

How He Fits: Rhodes began his career as a WR at SMU after setting receiving records Stark High School in West Orange, Texas. At Kilgore College, he recorded 32 tackles and three interceptions last season and he could play either cornerback or safety at ASU because of his impressive size.

OC A.J. McCollum (6-1, 285) - City College of San Francisco (California)

Rankings

247 Sports: No. 1 OC (No. 110 Overall), 3-star

ESPN: No. 1 OC, 3-star

Rivals: N/A, 3-star

Scout: No. 96 Overall, 3-star

Offers: California, UTEP

How He Fits: McCollum flipped from Cal to ASU on Monday night and Wednesday morning his commitment became official. With Nick Kelly graduating, Stephon McCray is the favorite to be ASU's starting center in 2016 as he saw action in eight games in 2014

With McCollum in the fold, it gives the Sun Devils outstanding depth at center and the possibility of moving McCray to another position along the offensive line if needed.

CB Maurice Chandler (6-1, 190) - NE Oklahoma A&M CC (Oklahoma)

Rankings

247 Sports: No. 1 CB (No. 13 Overall), 4-star

ESPN: No. 2 CB (No. 22 Overall), 4-star

Rivals: No. 46 Overall, 3-star

Scout: No. 44 Overall, 3-star

Offers: Louisville, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, TCU, Utah, Washington State

How He Fits: Chandler is one of the top ranked JUCO cornerbacks in the nation and boasted a slew of Power 5 offers including Oklahoma and TCU. The Sun Devils will lose both starting cornerbacks from 2015 so there is a good chance Chandler sees the field early in his ASU career.

OT Tyson Rising (6-5, 290) - Ventura Community College (California)

Rankings

247 Sports: N/A, 3-star

ESPN: No. 7 OT, 3-star

Rivals: N/A, 3-star

Scout: No. 68 Overall, 3-star

Offers: Boise State, Houston, Fresno State, San Diego State, UNLV, Washington State, Hawaii, New Mexico

How He Fits: Rising recently told SunDevilsSource that he will win a starting job for the fall of 2016. ASU has to replace four starters on its offensive line from 2015 including right tackle Billy McGehee. Rising will likely compete with Sam Jones and Quinn Bailey for playing time at tackle in 2016.

DE Christian Hill (6-6, 265) - Glendale Community College (Arizona)

Rankings

247 Sports: No. 2 SDE (No. 16 Overall), 4-star

ESPN: No. 3 DE (No. 11 Overall), 4-star

Rivals: No. 12 Overall, 4-star

Scout: No. 38 Overall, 3-star

Offers: Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, San Diego State, Washington State

How He Fits: Hill has great size for a defensive end in the Pac-12 and the Sun Devils were desperately missing a consistent pass rusher last season. With Demetrius Cherry departing, look for Hill to push Edmond Boateng for playing time in 2016.

TE Jared Bubak (6-4, 235) - Lincoln, Nebraska (Lincoln Christian HS)

Rankings (High School Rankings)

247 Sports: No. 31 TE, 3-star

ESPN: No. 10 TE-H, 3-star

Rivals: No. 34 TE, 3-star

Scout: No. 38 TE, 3-star

Offers: Kentucky, Nebraska

How He Fits: Bubak is one of two high school commitments who will enroll early and participate in spring practice. Bubak projects as an H-back for the Sun Devils, primarily as a blocker. He will likely redshirt in 2016, with Kody Kohl, Grant Martinez and Raymond Epps all likely returning next season at tight end.

OG Marshall Nathe (6-3, 290) - Glendale, Arizona (Centennial HS)

Rankings

247 Sports: No. 35 OG, 3-star

ESPN: No. 43 OG, 3-star

Rivals: N/A, 3-star

Scout: No. 80 OG, 3-star

Offers: Louisville, Navy

How He Fits: Nathe committed to ASU back in March and will enroll in January. He has good size for a guard and was a leader on Centennial's Division I state title team this past year. It is extremely difficult for freshman to start on the offensive line so expect Nathe to redshirt.

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