House of Sparky - Sun Devil Legends Series: Countdown to KickoffFluently Speaking Victoryhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47079/fave.png2013-08-31T10:00:02-07:00http://www.houseofsparky.com/rss/stream/41186452013-08-31T10:00:02-07:002013-08-31T10:00:02-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 1 Phillippi Sparks
<figure>
<img alt="Phillippi Sparks (right) with Darren Woodson. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wxohwOVN0kk4wXs7j-kOOCuJ5Rg=/0x23:393x285/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18747263/woodson.0.png" />
<figcaption>Phillippi Sparks (right) with Darren Woodson. | ASU</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The final installment of our 'Summer of Legends' series honors a local prospect who locked down opposing receivers in the Sun Devil secondary.</p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>On the final day of August, summer at House of Sparky finally draws to a close. Today is the last installment of our "Summer of Legends" series and tomorrow we transition to our game week coverage. Before we roll into the 2013 football season with a full head of steam, it is only proper that we extend our readership our gratitude for your support this summer.</p>
<p>Covering a football team over the summer is a difficult task. The staff here at House of Sparky faced many challenges, but we sincerely hope that series' like our "Pac-12 Power Rankings," the "Best Moment" poll and the "Summer of Legends" countdown entertained you and even helped educate you about the rich tradition at Arizona State.</p>
<p>Now it's time to close the books on summer and begin our fall. But before we do so, we honor the greatest Sun Devil to ever wear jersey No. 1. Fittingly, our selection is a local player who starred on defense, which are both qualities that would make the Sun Devils' current coaching staff proud. So without further ado, we introduce a legend for the final time.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Phillippi Sparks (1990-1991)</p>
<p>Earlier this week, we honored Maryvale High School alum Darren Woodson who patrolled the defensive backfield during his time in Tempe. Woodson boasts an "against all odds" story and had to walk-on to the team at Arizona State coming out of high school. Ironically, one of Woodson's teammates at Maryvale joined him at Arizona State and had an equally difficult road to travel.</p>
<p>Phillippi Sparks graduated from Maryvale in 1987 but lacked the pedigree to attract Division 1 attention. Sparks decided to continue his career at Glendale Community College where he helped lead the team to the 1988 Junior College National Championship. After two seasons in Glendale, Sparks made the short drive over to Arizona State where he fit right into the secondary.</p>
<p>In 1990, Sun Devil coach Larry Marmie put Sparks in the lineup at the left cornerback spot and the decision paid dividends immediately. Sparks brought energy and life to the field as a kick returner, but he did his best work defending passes. The Pac-10 Conference honored Sparks as a Second Team All-Conference defensive back, but Sparks still had room left for improvement.</p>
<p>As a senior, Sparks had his eyes on the NFL so he put together a season worthy of the scouts' attention. Against some of the best passing teams in the country, Sparks held his own and received First Team All-Conference recognition. Sparks' top honor came when he was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award, which recognizes the nation's best defensive back.</p>
<p>Like many great Sun Devils, Sparks only played two seasons because he transferred from junior college. But when he arrived, he gave his all and that's a quality that every single one of our legends displayed throughout their careers.</p>
<p><b>In the Pros: </b>From Maryvale to Arizona State and then to the NFL. It seems to be a theme for our legends this week, as Darren Woodson and Phillippi Sparks both took this road. The New York Giants drafted Sparks with the 41st overall selection in the 1992 NFL Draft, and Sparks made the most of his opportunity.</p>
<p>Sparks teamed up with Giants' corner Jason Sehorn to form one of the best defensive backfields in the 1990s. After eight seasons in New York, Sparks played his final year with the Dallas Cowboys before retiring prior to the 2001 season. In his career, Sparks notched 492 tackles, 27 interceptions, and one sack. Sparks is now a proud father of American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.</p>
<h4>More from House of Sparky:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/3/4688062/asu-football-tv-schedule-odds-matchup?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football: The Matchup of the Week</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/2/4687282/sun-devil-hockey-schedule-camp-powers?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Hockey: Training Camp Standouts</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/2/4687394/asu-football-todd-grahams-weekly-press-conference?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football: Todd Graham's Weekly Press Conference </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/2/4684136/asu-football-defensive-backs-alden-darby?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football Defensive Back Position Preview: The Next Man Up</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/2/4683362/arizona-state-football-wisconsin-usc-ucla-recap?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football: Week 1 Opponent Results and Recap</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/1/4683034/asu-football-mike-norvell-sacramento-state?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football: Q&A With Offensive Coordinator Mike Norvell </a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/9/1/4681748/asu-football-sacramento-state-todd-graham?utm_source=houseofsparky&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">ASU Football: The First Look at Sacramento State</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/31/4679594/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-1-phillippi-sparksKerry Crowley2013-08-30T11:00:04-07:002013-08-30T11:00:04-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 2 Brett Hudson
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/57ynishIz73qwJC_HKwwYqJPMPI=/0x38:227x189/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18698981/2.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>An Arizona State cornerback from the early 2000s is the best Sun Devil to ever wear No. 2. </p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>Throughout our series, we've celebrated some of the most decorated Sun Devils in school history. But one of the great parts about peeking through the Arizona State record books is discovering the underrated players.</p>
<p>Today, we look at a Sun Devil who never made an All-American or All-Conference team, but his presence was felt on a game-by-game basis. Like many current impact Sun Devils, Hudson was an elite junior college transfer who came in and started immediately. He gave Arizona State two great seasons in the secondary and remains the best player to rock No. 2 in program history.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Brett Hudson (2002-2003)</p>
<p>For the second time this week, we have the opportunity to profile a junior college transfer who made his name in the secondary at Arizona State. It's fitting that junior college players have earned legend status of late because Todd Graham plans on relying so heavily on them this season. In fact, a current No. 2, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/162476/steffon-martin">Steffon Martin</a> could surpass Hudson in our No. 2 rankings with a breakout year in 2013.</p>
<p>Hudson's story starts in Southern California as he played high school and junior college football in San Diego. A standout at Grossmont Junior College, Hudson won the Team MVP as a freshman and won the Male Athlete of the Year as a sophomore.</p>
<p>In 2002, Hudson transferred to Arizona State and was expected to contribute right away. Dirk Koetter inserted Hudson into the lineup at corner and Hudson responded by leading the team with four interceptions and 66 return yards. Arizona State's biggest win of the season came against No. 6 Oregon, and Hudson's late interception helped the Sun Devils preserve the lead.</p>
<p>As a senior, Hudson started for the second consecutive season, but the Sun Devils were unable to match their success from 2002. A year after appearing in the Holiday Bowl, Hudson and Co. went 5-7 and missed out on postseason play. Hudson was still able to compete after his career as a Sun Devil by representing the team in the Las Vegas All-American Classic.</p>
<p>Hudson is one of just a handful of players who wore No. 2 that started for the Sun Devils, so Steffon Martin has a real chance at overtaking his fellow JUCO transfer.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/30/4676320/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-2-brett-hudsonKerry Crowley2013-08-29T19:00:05-07:002013-08-29T19:00:05-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 3 Keith Poole
<figure>
<img alt="Quite possibly the greatest photo ever taken. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ak8CidBJfInIoGGCq7Eg4AsvTO4=/0x0:1100x733/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18657217/keith_poole.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Quite possibly the greatest photo ever taken. | ASU</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We know Jake Plummer is a Sun Devil legend, but who did Jake "The Snake" throw the ball to? </p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>With 96 down and three to go, you might figure we've exhausted just about every Sun Devil legend you could possibly think of. But you're wrong. Arizona State's football tradition and history are so rich that our series counting down the best players to wear each jersey number doesn't even touch upon many Sun Devil greats.</p>
<p>At No. 3, we meet one of Arizona State's most storied receivers, but we also recall one of the best all-purpose threats and a standout cornerback in the Honorable Mentions section. Keith Poole did plenty to deserve the "legend" tag, but so did Rudy Burgess and Omar Bolden. All three players, and many others who wore No. 3 during their time at Arizona State helped build the program into what it is today.</p>
<p>Truth be told, it's disappointing to us that this series is nearing the end because we've only scratched the surface in documenting the careers of players who made this program great.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Keith Poole (1993-1996)</p>
<p>When Jake Plummer earned the starting quarterback job in the fall of 1993, the Idaho native was expected to lead Arizona State's resurgence. Plummer accomplished his goal, but he needed the help of one dynamic receiver to do so.</p>
<p>Though Keith Poole began his freshman season on the sidelines, it didn't take long for the California native to burst onto the scene as Plummer's go-to threat. In 1994, Poole became a full-time starter and developed a comfortable relationship with Plummer.</p>
<p>The following season turned out to be Poole's coming out party, as the Sun Devil wideout began his assault on the school record books. As a junior, Poole reeled in 55 receptions for 1,036 yards and seven touchdowns. No. 3 proved to be a difficult man to cover and that held true against some of the best teams in the country. Against Nebraska, Poole caught six passes for 200 yards which helped him average 18.6 yards per catch on the season.</p>
<p>Poole earned First Team All Pac-10 honors, but individual accomplishments were never enough for him. His goal was a Rose Bowl and he teamed up with Jake Plummer to help turn that dream into a reality. In Poole's senior season, he snagged 47 catches for 867 yards and upped his touchdown total to 11 on the season.</p>
<p>Arizona State rode the chemistry that Plummer and Poole developed to a Rose Bowl appearance, but suffered a devastating 20-17 loss at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes.</p>
<p>Poole finished his career as one of the most prolific receivers in school history. His 140 career receptions rank eighth at Arizona State while his 2,691 yards put him fifth in that category. As a senior, Poole brought home Second Team All-American recognition and his second consecutive First Team All Pac-10 honor.</p>
<p><b>Honorable Mentions</b></p>
<p><b>Rudy Burgess: </b>Burgess is a Sun Devil at heart and he's still with the program as an assistant coach. During his career he was an outstanding all-purpose threat and made All-Conference lists as both a running back and a wide receiver.</p>
<p><b>Omar Bolden: </b>The Denver Broncos' defensive back became a shutdown corner during his days in Tempe and led the Sun Devils with three interceptions in the 2010 season. Bolden's best year came in 2008 when he earned Honorable Mention All-American recognition from CollegeFootballNews.com.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/29/4673844/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-3-keith-pooleKerry Crowley2013-08-28T16:00:03-07:002013-08-28T16:00:03-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 4 Darren Willis
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uBHqxch9TnA8E6CYcqDZgSh8Zfk=/0x33:223x182/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18587683/4.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Another member of Arizona State's first Rose Bowl team shows up in our legends series. </p> <p><b>The Background: </b>There have been plenty of great seasons in Arizona State history, but few if any match the 1986 season in terms of excitement and romanticism. When the Sun Devils joined the Pac-10 in the late 1970s, they would finally have the opportunity to play in the "Grandaddy of Them All."</p>
<p>For Pac-10 teams, the Rose Bowl was the pinnacle. Before the BCS system, playing in the Rose Bowl was the culmination of only the most successful of seasons. In 1986, the Arizona State faithful finally got their chance to watch their beloved Sun Devils partake in the festivities in Pasadena.</p>
<p>Our "Summer of Legends" series has honored so many contributors from the Sun Devils' first Rose Bowl squad, and today, we recall another. Darren Willis was a starting safety, a smart defender, and ultimately, a Rose Bowl champion.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Darren Willis (1983-1986)</p>
<p>In talking about the greatest teams in Sun Devil history, it's impossible to avoid mentioning the 1986 team. In talking about the greatest players from that team, it's almost equally impossible to avoid mentioning Darren Willis.</p>
<p>Willis is one of nine Sun Devils who received All-American honors during that unforgettable season, and the only member of the Arizona State secondary to do so. Willis was an anchor in the defensive backfield, and his imposing presence kept teams from having success through the air against the Sun Devils.</p>
<p>In 1983, Willis came to Arizona State from Santa Monica High in Southern California, where he won a state championship the previous year. After watching from the sidelines for most of his freshman season, Willis took the field as the starting free safety during the fall of his sophomore year.</p>
<p>That season, Willis led the Sun Devils with three interceptions and earned his reputation as a ball hawk. In 1985, Willis was not listed as a starter, but he used that as motivation heading into his senior season.</p>
<p>When it came time for Willis to begin his swan sang, he took the Pac-10 by storm and became one of the finest safeties in the conference. Willis earned All-Conference honors and even made an appearance on the Honorable Mention All-America list, but neither of those individual accomplishments are what Willis will remember most.</p>
<p>Instead, Willis will recall celebrating on the field after the 1987 Rose Bowl with his fellow Sun Devil teammates after they defeated the University of Michigan by a final score of 22-15. Willis is one of many Sun Devils to come through the program, but he's one of just a handful who can call himself a Rose Bowl Champion.</p>
<p><b>After Arizona State: </b>Upon graduating, Willis decided to take his game to the next level. However, that next level was the Arena Football League, and not the NFL. Willis played receiver in the AFL and helped guide the Tampa Bay Storm to the 1991 ArenaBowl Championship.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/28/4669366/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-4-darren-willisKerry Crowley2013-08-27T19:00:05-07:002013-08-27T19:00:05-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 5 Zach Catanese
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ViR-60FPw0vBnMHJNqAtnErBSQY=/0x36:230x189/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18533263/5.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>After transferring in from Junior College, Zach Catanese produced two productive seasons in the Arizona State secondary. </p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>When discussing the qualities of a legend, it's hard to evaluate players who only give us a small sample size to work with. Some players have extraordinary years that are impossible to ignore, but many junior college players only have two years of eligibility to make their presence felt.</p>
<p>At Arizona State, No. 5 hasn't exactly been a popular number. It first debuted in the early 1980s, and it doesn't have the tradition that other numbers have. But when Junior College transfer Zach Catanese donned the number in 2005, the California native embarked on a quiet but productive career.</p>
<p>Unlike most of our legends, Catanese wasn't an immediate standout. But he did have an outstanding work ethic, a willingness to learn and improve, and the desire to succeed that is common among all of our Sun Devil legends. For those reasons, Catanese joins our elite and represents the players who wore No. 5 at Arizona State.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Zach Catanese (2005-2006)</p>
<p>Zach Catanese didn't always look like the imposing defensive back he was during his days as a Sun Devil. Before he arrived in Tempe, Catanese weighed less than his 230-pound playing weight, and he took awhile to grow into his 6-foot-2 frame. Catanese lacked the build of a true Division 1 football player, so after high school, he enrolled at Shasta Junior College to prepare himself for the college game.</p>
<p>Catanese was a playmaker throughout his high school days, and that didn't change when he first played at the college level. At Shasta, Catanese made an immediate impact by racking up 77 tackles and five interceptions during his freshman season. As a sophomore, Catanese earned Preseason All-American honors and also became a team captain. Catanese played with a scholarship on his mind, and that came to him in the form of an offer from Arizona State that he accepted after his second season at the JUCO level.</p>
<p>Once he arrived in Tempe, Catanese picked up where he left off and the Sun Devils were glad he did. The learning curve was short for the defensive back, and he was installed into the starting lineup for the first game of his Arizona State career. On the field, Catanese thrived as he enjoyed one of the best seasons of his football career playing in the Pac-10 conference.</p>
<p>In 2005, Catanese started all 12 games and finished second on the team with 107 tackles. Catanese made an impact in every game and had at least six tackles in 11 of his 12 games. For his efforts, he earned Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition and the right to keep his starting spot the following season.</p>
<p>As a senior, Catanese again made the most of his opportunities. After earning Arizona State's Most Improved Defensive Player Award in his debut season, Catanese backed up his hard work by posting 59 tackles, forcing two fumbles, and snatching two interceptions in 2006. Catanese again earned Honorable Mention All-Conference honors before concluding his career as a Sun Devil.</p>
<p><b>Honorable Mention</b></p>
<p><b>Junior Onyeali: </b>If the Sun Devil defensive end wore No. 5 instead of No. 97 during his freshman season, the legend tag would belong to Onyeali. Onyeali won Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2010 and was a Freshman All-American, but has struggled with consistency during his career. Onyeali figures into the game plan this season as a pass rush specialist, so he may be able to challenge Catanese's legacy at No. 5 with a big season.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/27/4665628/asu-football-legends-zach-cataneseKerry Crowley2013-08-25T16:30:06-07:002013-08-25T16:30:06-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 6 Darren Woodson
<figure>
<img alt="Woodson (left) with Maryvale teammate and Sun Devil corner Phillippi Sparks. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/io23UuasL2C0BX02Q5ytM2xSrUA=/0x23:393x285/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18421883/woodson.0.png" />
<figcaption>Woodson (left) with Maryvale teammate and Sun Devil corner Phillippi Sparks. | ASU</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One of the Sun Devils' most famous alumni enjoyed quite a career in Tempe. </p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>Fall camp is a special time for a football team. It signals the return of old traditions, the excitement of a new season, and the opportunity to strap on the pads for yet another memorable season. In the case of Arizona State players, fall camp takes on an even greater significance as it typically means a trip up to Camp Tontozona.</p>
<p>Throughout the years, "Camp T" has been a place where teammates become brothers, and the program becomes a family. It's also been a place where newcomers hit the radar of new coaches, and where walk-ons grow into potential contributors. That's exactly the case for Sun Devil star Darren Woodson, who came to Arizona State in 1987 as an unheralded walk-on.</p>
<p>With a strong fall camp in 1989, Woodson went from barely having a spot on the roster to becoming an integral part of the starting lineup. Woodson's story is one of trials, triumphs, and tribulations, but it's only fitting that it culminates in success. Today, we honor one of the hardest working Sun Devils in No. 6 Darren Woodson.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Darren Woodson (1987-1991)</p>
<p>It's hard to imagine an NFL great having to walk-on to compete for a spot during his college days, but it's hard to imagine the background of Darren Woodson. The Phoenix native grew up in a single-parent family with his mother in a crime-ridden neighborhood known a Maryvale. Woodson attended the local public high school, which was not known for producing college talent.</p>
<p>After attending Maryvale High, Woodson enrolled at Arizona State with the hopes of making the team as a walk-on. A gritty competitor with a passion for football, Woodson needed plenty of coaching and fine tuning to help prepare his game for the next level. Fortunately, the Sun Devil linebacker coach was future NFL head coach Lovie Smith, and he knew just what it took to mold Woodson into a player.</p>
<p>Though he looked more like a defensive back, the undersized Woodson played outside linebacker at Arizona State and started opposite prolific tackler Mark Tingstad in 1989. With teams unwilling to run toward Tingstad, they tested the former walk-on and he proved more than capable as he racked up a career-high 122 tackles in his debut season.</p>
<p>Amazingly, Woodson took home Honorable Mention All Pac-10 honors, and he wound up being a vital part of Arizona State's defense. The following season, Woodson started at outside linebacker and repeated as an Honorable Mention All Pac-10 player.</p>
<p>By his third and final playing season, Darren Woodson had overcome the "undersized" tag and instead took on the "playmaker" tag. Woodson became one of just a handful of Sun Devils to earn All Conference honors three straight times as he took home Honorable Mention recognition yet again in 1991.</p>
<p>From his troubled beginnings as an academically ineligible walk-on to fighting to earn a scholarship and playing time, Darren Woodson endured quite the journey. But he came out of it on top, and that's why he still stands as the greatest Sun Devil to ever wear No. 6.</p>
<p><b>In the Pros: </b>If you didn't follow Woodson's career at Arizona State, you couldn't possibly miss him in the NFL. The Dallas Cowboys drafted Woodson in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft with the intention of shifting him to safety and the move paid off.</p>
<p>Woodson enjoyed a prolific NFL career and became the Cowboys' all-time career leader in tackles with 1,350. Woodson played in five Pro Bowls and won three Super Bowls during his time in Dallas and was considered one of the fiercest hitters of any professional defensive back.</p>
<p><b>Who Wears It Now?</b></p>
<p><b>Chans Cox:</b> If No. 6 didn't already have a storied legacy among local players, Cox has the ability to truly make No. 6 into something special. The Blue Ridge High School product is a true freshman this year who has the potential to make an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball. As the most highly touted recruit of the Graham era so far, Cox has big expectations ahead of him.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/25/4658098/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-6-darren-woodsonKerry Crowley2013-08-24T19:00:07-07:002013-08-24T19:00:07-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 7 David Fulcher
<figure>
<img alt="David Fulcher packed quite a bit of power into his tackles. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/O8LpZA9AWyCCOhu9BiF53bYOmKk=/0x27:359x266/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18375197/fulcher.0.png" />
<figcaption>David Fulcher packed quite a bit of power into his tackles. | ASU</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When you talk about the best players in ASU history, David Fulcher is definitely in the conversation. </p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>How do you become the best of the best? How does your name live on in more than just the history books, but in the memories of fans and of your opponents? Well for starters, you could play like David Fulcher.</p>
<p>During his career at Arizona State, Fulcher was the country's preeminent safety and the Sun Devils most talented player. Fulcher played safety, but simply describing him as a defensive back would downplay the role he really had. Fulcher roamed sideline to sideline and end zone to end zone with one mission: Stopping the opposition at all costs. Whether he was delivering a bone-crushing tackle or swooping in for an interception, Fulcher had knack for the big play like no Sun Devil defender ever had. For those reasons and so many more, Fulcher is one of the single greatest players to ever come through the program.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>David Fulcher (1983-1985)</p>
<p>Few Sun Devil players made All-Conference lists in their first season as a starter, but even fewer received All-American recognition in their debut campaigns.</p>
<p>Transforming from an unproven commodity into one of college football's best players takes time, but for David Fulcher, that timetable took days and not years. In 1983, Fulcher burst onto the scene as a first-time starter for Arizona State and put together one of the best season a Sun Devil safety ever played. We say one of the best, because the best two seasons were Fulcher's next two.</p>
<p>In 1983, Fulcher led the Sun Devils with four interceptions and a career-high 110 tackles. Despite starting the season as a relative unknown in college football circles, Fulcher made his presence felt enough to earn First Team All Pac-10 honors as well as Second Team All-American honors.</p>
<p>What could Fulcher possibly do for an encore? He started by recording his second consecutive 100-tackle season and though his interception total dropped, he still delivered fierce hits across the middle that garnered him national attention. In 1984, Fulcher joined a prestigious group of Sun Devils by earning Consensus All-American honors.</p>
<p>Still, Fulcher had more left to accomplish. For his swan sang, Fulcher went out with a bang by snagging a career-high and team-high six interceptions and accumulating 110 return yards. Though Fulcher did not lead the team in tackles for the first time in his career, he did earn Consensus All-American honors for the second straight season.</p>
<p>In doing so, Fulcher became the third Sun Devil to ever earn Consensus All-American honors twice. In the 28 years since his accomplishment, no Arizona State player has earned the honors twice and only seven Sun Devils have even earned Consensus All-American recognition.</p>
<p>Fulcher remains one of the greatest defenders to play for Arizona State, and it will stay that way for quite some time.</p>
<p><b>Honorable Mentions</b></p>
<p><b>Riccardo Stewart: </b>A team captain in 2003, Stewart made three consecutive All Pac-10 teams during his career as a safety.</p>
<p><b>Craig Newsome: </b>A 1994 Playboy All-American, Newsome had a penchant for big plays and led the Sun Devils with four in 1993.</p>
<p><b>Mike Black: </b>How about a little love for the specialists? Black received All-American recognition twice, and was the First Team All Pac-10 punter in 1980, 1981 and 1982.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/24/4654970/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-7-david-fulcherKerry Crowley2013-08-23T19:00:03-07:002013-08-23T19:00:03-07:00'Summer of Legends' No. 8 Luis Zendejas
<figure>
<img alt="Luis Zendejas lines up for a field goal. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Zm5H_shwd-_8UZKXAtPxT1BMl2E=/0x15:317x226/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/18318167/luis_.0.png" />
<figcaption>Luis Zendejas lines up for a field goal. | ASU</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>During his career at Arizona State, Luis Zendejas became Mr. Automatic. </p> <p><b>The Backstory: </b>After a few seasons of discouraging moments in the Sun Devil kicking game, there is renewed hope this season. Freshman Zane Gonzales arrived on campus this fall, and appears to have seized the starting field goal kicking job with ease. Gonzales brings a powerful leg, dead-on accuracy, and so far, a knack for hitting the big kick. Though Gonzales hasn't kicked in an actual game yet, he drilled all eight of his field goal attempts on the rough Camp Tontozona surface in front of more than 5,000 eagerly awaiting fans.</p>
<p>If Gonzales thrives this year, he'll remind long-time Sun Devil fans of another kicker who burst onto the scene his freshman year. In the early 1980s, the emergence of Luis Zendejas gave Arizona State a comfortable feeling about its special teams game, and that's something that few colleges have ever been able to say. So who is the man that Gonzales must live up to? Let's find out.</p>
<p><b>The Player: </b>Luis Zendejas (1981-1984)</p>
<p>It's hard to deal with the pressure of kicking important field goals as a college athlete, but maybe if you start by nailing big kicks as a freshman, you learn to cope with the circumstances. That theory holds true for Luis Zendejas, who started a brilliant college career with a dynamic freshman season.</p>
<p>In 1982, Zendejas started to mold his Sun Devil legacy under the tutelage of first-year head coach Daryl Rogers. As a freshman, Zendejas earned Second Team All Pac-10 honors, but that was just the beginning of his kicking exploits.</p>
<p>As a sophomore, Zendejas was called upon more frequently and led the Sun Devils in scoring for the second consecutive season. After drilling 16 field goals as a freshman, Zendejas upped his total to 24 field goals and finished with 102 points on the season. The Sun Devils enjoyed a 10-2 record, and won plenty of close games because of Zendejas' accuracy.</p>
<p>His 24 makes obliterated the school record that he set as a freshman, but he still wasn't done torching the record books. As a junior, Zendejas enjoyed one of the greatest seasons ever for an Arizona State kicker, as he hit on 28 of his 37 attempts.</p>
<p>Zendejas' name was called so frequently in 1983 that every outlet regarded him as the best kicker in the country which led to his status as a Consensus All-American. Zendejas joined a list of true Sun Devil legends who have earned that honor, but his prolific kicks meant the specialist was more than deserving of joining that esteemed group.</p>
<p>In 1984, Zendejas made his fourth consecutive All-Conference list, but fell just short of receiving All-American honors for the fourth consecutive season. Regardless, his name lives on in the Arizona State record books and will stay there for a long time.</p>
<p>Zendejas' 380 career points are the most ever by a Sun Devil player, and his 28 field goals from the 1983 season will be a difficult record to surpass. Zendejas made at least one field goal in 15 consecutive games between 1981-1982, and also had at least one point in 45 consecutive games at one point during his career. Perhaps most remarkably, of the 10 longest field goals in Sun Devil history, Zendejas has hit eight of them including a record 55-yarder.</p>
<p>It's hard to imagine any Sun Devil kicker living up to Zendejas' legacy, but if Gonzales comes close, the Sun Devils are in for quite a treat over the next four years.</p>
<p><b>Honorable Mentions</b></p>
<p><b>Terry Battle: </b>Terry Battle enjoyed quite a ride through the Arizona State program, and his 1,077-yard season in 1996 capped off an impressive career that culminated in a Rose Bowl appearance.</p>
<p><b>Brandon Magee: </b>The heart and soul of the 2012 defense will always be known as the player who helped usher in the Todd Graham era. Magee gave his all on every play, and stands among the most inspirational leaders this program has ever seen.</p>
https://www.houseofsparky.com/2013/8/23/4651240/asu-football-summer-of-legends-no-8-luis-zendejasKerry Crowley