You may very well see ASU come in on another 2017 local defensive end- Daniel Callender of Yuma Catholic.
This is still a pretty relevant thread when it comes to locals. Here's what I wrote on Callender below:
"I drove out to watch the 6-6, 230 DE play last year and saw someone with exceptional size, but didn't flash against a lower level of competition. Much like My-King Johnson, he's gotten stronger from junior to senior year, but still needs a lot of work as a pass rusher. I always wondered if an FBS team would take a shot on him as a project, and those questions were answered this week when Illinois offered, and I saw him out at the ASU/Wazzu game. It needs to be stressed that this kid is physically gifted- you can't teach his size. If ASU offered Callender they'd probably need 2-3 years of development before he could contribute, but the ceiling is high."
He actually visited ASU during the Washington State game. He has offers from Illinois and Wyoming. I've always seen him as a lesser prioritized option than Jalen Harris, My-King Johnson and Odua Isibor for most teams, and one who's given the benefit of the doubt over a proven DE in Andrew Nichols of Centennial because he's 2 inches taller.
...but even I have to admit the strides he's made as a senior impress me.
Here's tape from his playoff game against Show Low
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What's interesting about this film is that it finally shows me the agility, and dominance at the point of impact over lesser players that I didn't see as a junior. He's faster and stronger.
My guess is that ASU's interest indicates that Isibor, Johnson and Harris are all leaning elsewhere, but I don't absolutely know that to be true.
Here's my best, brief, breakdown of each of those guys so you know what ASU would be getting if it landed any of them.
Jalen Harris: Long, athletic, good awareness of what the OL is going to do. Downside is he's skinny, which can be addressed. Could develop into an interesting OLB prospect a la Dion Jordan- much less physically gifted, but better defensive instincts going into college.
My-King Johnson: Johnson is to pass rushing what Qualen Cunningham was to run-stuffing. He just looks like he was born to do it. Unlike Cunningham, Johnson wasn't strength training like a madman early on. Johnson's biggest issue has always been whether he can get stronger and maintain his fluidity. So far he's shown that he's on his way.
Odua Isibor: I talked to several opposing coaches and players who had to deal with him this year. He's not to be trifled with. Strong, aggressive, smart, hard-hitting, and a quick learner. He's still a tad inexperienced, but that's easily remedied. He's a solid developmental coach's dream.
Andrew Nichols: Not being 6-5 is his biggest sin. Every military academy and ivy league school wants him. I spent the entire D5 championship talking to a Princeton coach who flew all the way out just to see him and gauge if they had a shot.
Daniel Callender: 6-5.5, 235, rapidly getting better but still largely untested. Not as athletic as Harris, but he can move well. I've watched him play basketball. Not as natural as Johnson, but has a little bit of a larger frame to build on. Not as impactful as Isibor, but few players in the state are. Doesn't have the all around game of Nichols.
Of the 5, Callender is the biggest risk, and potentially has the second highest ceiling behind Isibor. If ASU were to offer, you'd have to think that it wouldn;t exactly excite the fan base, but they'd have a pretty good shot to earn his commitment.
