ASU Snapshot: Run Down On Red Wolves

The Pluses: Red Wolves return 50 lettermen and 17 starters, including four-year starting quarterback Corey Leonard and four-year starting tailback Reggie Arnold. The top two receivers also return from an offense that broke a 57-year school mark for total offense. Lou Groza Award finalist Josh Arauco returns for his senior year having already set school marks for placekicking. The defensive front is the best ASU has had in several seasons, led by the decorated Alex Carrington, last year’s Sun Belt defensive player of the year, at end. ASU returns eight defensive starters: three linemen, two linebackers and three defensive backs.

The Minuses: The offensive line’s gaping hole is the graduation of four-time all-conference left tackle Matt Mandich, and tight end David Johnson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensively, ASU needs someone to step into graduated Ben Owens’ shoes at middle linebacker.

The Schedule: Road games at Nebraska, Iowa and Louisville are the biggest tests. Sun Belt rivals Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida International all come to Jonesboro.

Hardest Spot to Fill: Has to be Mandich’s left tackle spot. All-conference tackles don’t grow on trees.

Easiest Spot to Fill: Replacing an NFL Draft pick isn’t easier said than done, but watch for Trevor Gillott and his great hands to shine in place of Johnson at tight end; plus, others will step up for blocking duties, including J.T. Jordan, who was All-Sun Belt along with Johnson last year.

Watch Him: While all eyes will be in Reggie Arnold at tailback, don’t be surprised to see a lot of sophomore Derek Lawson backing him up, or even playing alongside. And for newcomers, keep an eye on 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman wide receiver Taylor Stockemer.