Arizona State
Sun Devils

The senior's role was simple before: Stand behind Rudy Carpenter.

That is no longer the case with Sullivan taking over the No. 1 starting quarterback job heading into the fall. Sullivan showed off a lively arm and good presence, although he still hasn't proved he can get the job done in games.

That is the next step after apparently taking over the job, at least for now, over Samson Szakacsy and Brock Osweiler.

All eyes will be on Sullivan with ASU trying to rebound from a 5-7 season.

Sullivan, who was 15 for 43 for 151 yards in 2008, has clearly been better with more reps.

No longer in the shadow of Carpenter, who started the last 43 games at quarterback for ASU, is making a difference.

"Finally getting reps is a big thing. I have been sitting behind Rudy for so long that I didn't get that many chances," Sullivan said. "I am the No. 1 guy. That is giving me a chance to learn the game better."

If he can get the job done against an aggressive and physical ASU defense, his progress will make for marked improvement.

The Sun Devils are enjoying the hitting aspect on defense.

SPRING MOVERS:

SS Ryan McFoy -- His move from linebacker to strong safety has proved to be an experiment that has worked out perfectly. The senior has taken over the starting strong safety position, and cemented the deal with an interception in the final spring game.

DT Dean DeLeone -- Spent five years in the Coast Guard before playing at Orange Coast (Calif.) College. His time at sea has not slowed his legs. The 6-2, 245-pound lineman has emerged as one of the top defenders in the spring.

QB Brock Osweiler -- The quarterback of the future, at least that is the talk. At 6-8 and 237 pounds, the true freshman, who arrived in December, not only has the physical tools, but also picked up the playbook in a week. He is listed at No. 3 but is moving up quickly.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We don't talk about it, but in the back of our minds, we know we didn't do what we wanted to a year ago. Nobody wants to lose games, and nobody wants to go 5-7 again." -- ASU tailback Dimitri Nance said.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Getting pressure on the quarterback is a key. The Sun Devils have the right combination with powerful sophomore Lawrence Guy inside and Dexter Davis and James Books creating havoc on the perimeter. ASU goes nine deep at linebacker, starting with Mike Nixon, the team's leading tackler. The secondary lost a huge playmaker in Troy Nolan, but cornerback Omar Bolden and converted safety Ryan McFoy are going to be tough to beat.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: ASU kicker Thomas Weber, the Lou Groza Award winner in 2007, has converted 43-of-50 kicks. Three of the misses were blocks that were not his fault. Weber is automatic. He is going to add punting duties again unless somebody else steps forward. Weber doesn't mind. The return game is in great hands with Kyle Williams, an explosive weapon who averaged 17 yards per punt last season.

ROSTER REPORT:

--Quarterback Chasen Stangel decided to transfer just days prior to the final spring workouts after becoming the No. 4 guy on the depth chart.

--Quarterback Jack Elway, a redshirt freshman from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colo., is staying at school but has given up playing football. Jack is the son of Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway.

--The Sun Devils had a devastating injury report on the final day, losing backup defensive tackle Otis Jones to an ACL injury and backup center Thomas Altieri to a mild MCL injury. Linebacker Derrall Anderson suffered a dislocated elbow.

--Tailback Shaun DeWitty missed spring workouts with academic issues. He could come back to challenge for the starting nod in the fall.