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He played a pivotal role in ASU averaging 202.3 rushing yards per game, good for 24 th in the FBS and the most for a full season at ASU since 2012 (205.4) – and just the eighth time ASU has rushed for over 200 yards per game since joining the Pac-12 in 1978. Henderson elevated his game to help pave the way for a prolific rushing attack, as running back Rachaad White went over 1,000 yards in only 11 games. He is considered one of the best ten returning offensive lineman in the conference, earning Pac-12 Second Team honors. Senior offensive lineman LaDarius Henderson has been a force throughout his Sun Devil career, but is primed for a breakout fourth season in Tempe. LaDarius Henderson, Second Team Offensive Lineman Taylor nearly had another kickoff return for a touchdown against UCLA, but was tripped on a 42-yard return and earned a 15-yard penalty to set the Sun Devil offense up with prime field position. Despite his knack for success on returns, he was actually the fourth-highest graded player on kickoff coverage in the Pac-12 – also with a score of 77.7. He took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown in the Territorial Cup, the first Sun Devil to accomplish the feat against Arizona. He averaged 36.9 total yards per kick return attempt (including yardage on kicks taken out of the end zone), which was seven yards per return more than any other player in the Pac-12 and fourth among any player in the FBS with at least five kickoff returns.Īrguably the highlight of his Sun Devil career came when returned a kick 107 total yards for a touchdown against Arizona, the longest of any player in the FBS that season, according to PFF.
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He finished that year as the highest-graded kick returner in the Pac-12 with a grade of 81.1 from Pro Football Focus – good for 12th nationally. Taylor burst onto the national scene as one of the top return threats after a historic 2020 freshman season. He also eclipsed 40 punt return yards in victories over UNLV and Colorado. He was incredible in the season opener against Southern Utah, returning three punts a total of 87 yards, highlighted by a 47-yard return. Taylor added 191 punt return yards on 14 attempts, averaging 13.6 yards per return. He yielded 525 kick return yards on 24 attempts last season, including an electrifying 60-yard return against Washington State. During the 2021 campaign, he appeared in 12 games, collecting 716 all-purpose yards. Taylor is one of the most explosive athletes in the country, serving as the main punt and kick returner for the Sun Devils each of the past two seasons. Taylor has been receiving plenty of preseason love, with the latest coming in the form of a First Team All-Conference nod as a return specialist. Taylor, First Team Return SpecialistĮxciting sophomore play maker D.J. Here is more information on each of the five honorees:ĭ.J.
This comes on the heels of 13 Sun Devils earning a spot on the All-Conference team following the 2021 campaign. Kyle Soelle and Xazavian Valladay rounded out the group, as they each received Honorable Mention distinction.
Taylor landed on the First Team, while LaDarius Henderson and Merlin Robertson were Second Team selections. PAC-12 PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM (7/26)įive members of the Sun Devil Football program earned a spot on one of the Pac-12 Preseason All-Conference teams, the league announced on July 26th.ĭ.J. KEEPING TRACK OF THE SUN DEVIL FOOTBALL PLAYERS ON A PRESEASON AWARD WATCH LIST