ASU Devils Den Football Podcast

Our friends at FanDuel.com have written a guest column this week centered around Sun Devil seniors from the 2012 season and their prospects in this upcoming week’s NFL Draft.

After enjoying their first winning season since 2007, the Arizona Sun Devils are excited to hear if a few of their top performers from a season ago have their name called during the 2013 NFL Draft. It is not a banner year for pro prospects out of Tempe, but it seems likely that at least a couple Sun Devils will get to live their dream rather than being left playing fantasy football.

LB Brandon Magee

According to most mock drafts, Magee is the only Arizona State player who is a lock to get drafted at some point. The outside linebacker would probably be projected even higher than he is now if health concerns were not surrounding him. Ever since missing all of 2011 with a torn Achilles’ tendon, he has had to prove to scouts he is fully healthy.  Magee’s athleticism has always been a huge part of his game. Scouts see him as a slightly undersized linebacker who could really do well at the weak side position. The 4^th or 5^th round seems the most likely right now, as he is rated anywhere between the 15^th and 20^th best player at his position.  He will be no stranger to the draft process this weekend, as he has been drafted three times in the MLB draft. He played for Arizona State’s baseball team, but due to limited success at the collegiate level, he appears to be all in as a true NFL prospect.

FS Keelan Johnson

The redshirt senior had a solid final season in Tempe, and now he is trying to parlay that into an opportunity to shine on Sundays. Currently on the fringe of the 7^th round and being a possible free agent pickup, Johnson will be one of many prospects around the country sweating things out during the entire process.  In 2012, his 88 tackles were second on Arizona State. He led the team with five interceptions, as he showed off his athleticism with 13 pass deflections as well. His size and speed is only average, which makes him sort of fall in the middle of the pack in the eyes of scouts. Someone will give him an opportunity though, and chances are he gets his named called. 

After those two players, things get dicey. The most likely to be drafted will be punter Josh Hubner. He is one of the top punters in the draft, but unfortunately only a few go each season. Deveron Carr, Rashad Ross, Jamal Miles, Cameron Marshall and Brice Schwab all had solid college careers, but they will more than likely be hoping for simply a tryout to get a chance.