ASU Football: Outlook of Sun Devils eligible for the 2018 NFL draft

Only one player was selected out of Arizona State at the 2017 NFL draft, and it wasn’t a skill player. That is all but assured to change in 2018, with the Sun Devils boasting a backfield pairing of future pros along with some other intriguing names to watch next season.

Entering the summer, the Sun Devils have a total of 60 players who will be eligible to submit their names for the 2018 draft—19 seniors and redshirt seniors, 23 juniors and redshirt juniors, and 18 redshirt sophomores (redshirt sophomores are eligible to enter the NFL draft).

Below is a complete list of players who will have eligibility following the conclusion of the 2017-18 college football season.

Notable Names to Watch

Kalen Ballage, RB - Sr. (NFL Draft Scout’s No. 7-rated RB)

Ballage bombarded his way into the realm of relevance with an NCAA record-setting scoring performance on national television against Texas Tech. For many, it was the first time they had been exposed to the towering back whose athleticism whose ability to run through defenders is only countered by his ability to run past them.

Ballage’s breakout junior year saw him expand his skill set, particularly receiving the ball as the Colorado native finished third on the team in both receptions (44) and yards (469). His 536 rushing yards (4.3 yards per rush) and 14 rushing scores also marked new career highs.

Arguably the largest question mark looming over Ballage is whether or not he can withstand a full workload, which has ultimately been out of his control splitting first-team duties with Demario Richard. Through three seasons, Ballage has never tallied more than 24 touches in a single game, and has yet to rush the ball more than 18 times in one contest. That trend isn’t likely to change, however.

Demario Richard, RB - Sr. (NFL Draft Scout’s No. 15-rated RB)

Richard is the lead workhorse of the ASU backfield. He accounted for a team-high 155 rushing attempts for 593 yards in 2016, a season after carrying the ball 209 times for 1,098 yards.

At a stocky 5-foot-10, 220 pounds, Richard’s ability between the tackles and knack for carrying defenders for extra yardage is what’s made him a mainstay in the Sun Devil offense over the past three years. In fact, Richard has displayed soft hands, catching a combined 45 passes for over 450 yards through his first two seasons before his total dipped to 13 catches last year.

Although his junior campaign didn’t build off his sophomore-year performance, Richard still possesses the potential to exceed those numbers during his final season in Tempe.

Koron Crump, LB/EDGE - Sr. (NFL Draft Scout’s No. 25-rated OLB)

Crump is an interesting prospect, but is still very much under the radar ahead of his final year in Tempe. His 6-foot-3, 220-pound frame isn’t meant to maintain a weight higher than 230 pounds, but his ability as a speed rusher can’t go unnoticed, having racked up nine total (fourth in Pac-12). There’s also something to be said for the high-effort plays and timing of several pressures he generated throughout his first year as a Sun Devil.

His athleticism alone makes him an intriguing prospect, and his skill level suggests he’ll find his way into the building of an NFL franchise, one way or another. Should he produce at the same rate he did last season, that should all be solidified.

DJ Calhoun, LB - Sr. (NFL Draft Scout’s No. 67-rated OLB)

Statistically, Calhoun has shown he can get after the quarterback (13.5 career sacks) and find the ballcarrier (team-high 77 total tackles in 2016).

The high-motored linebacker has also flashed the ability to work from different linebacker spots, however will need to prove he can piece everything together fundamentally to be higher up on teams’ draft boards. Having his running mate in Christian Sam should ease that a bit.

Tashon Smallwood, DL - Sr. (NFL Draft Scout’s No. 47-rated DT)

Smallwood has been an anchor along ASU’s defensive front since his first season at Tempe in 2014. A solid run defender, should Smallwood assert himself as a consistent pass rusher in 2017, he’ll begin to garner higher consideration at the next level.