Wolves tackling shortage

Defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen
Defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen

JONESBORO -- Waylon Roberson's college decision had already been made Jan. 5 as the defensive tackle from New Mexico Military Institute settled in to watch the team he would soon join play its final game of the season.

Roberson watched as Kareem Hunt ran for 271 yards and five touchdowns as Toledo beat Arkansas State 63-44 in the GoDaddy Bowl, which only reaffirmed his decision to sign with the Red Wolves.

"I was like, they definitely need some depth on the defensive line," Roberson said Monday following spring practice at Centennial Bank Stadium.

A thin defensive front that had developed over four coaching changes in as many years was the biggest concern of Coach Blake Anderson and defensive coordinator Joe Cauthen last season. It was cited as part of the reason for losses to Louisiana-Lafayette, Appalachian State, Texas State and Toledo -- games in which ASU gave up an average of 362 yards rushing.

Anderson maintained all season that the only way to correct the issue was through recruiting. Roberson, Robert Mondie and Jake Swalley make up the first installment of that restoration effort.

Roberson and Swalley, a junior from Highland (Kan.) Community College, signed with ASU in December in time for winter workouts. Mondie, whose brother Devin is an ASU offensive lineman, arrived at the same time but only after Alabama-Birmingham eliminated its football program.

All three chose ASU for the same reason -- a chance to play early and help a position in need.

Mondie also watched the bowl loss on TV and attended ASU's victory over Utah State in September.

"I saw that they struggled inside more than anything," he said. "I figured if I came, I had a good chance to come right in and start."

All three are getting the chance through the first half of spring practice.

Roberson played with the top defense during Monday's practice. Part of that was because Chuks Ota, who started six games last year, is nursing a sore quadriceps muscle, but Cauthen said Roberson has handled the role fine. Mondie was right next to him with the No. 1 group, while Swalley worked with the second group.

"You haven't seen a guy who looks completely out of sorts, that doesn't look like he belongs," Anderson said. "They've known where to be and for the most part have played within the system without having a lot of mental errors. Now we still have more to put in and we'll see how it goes from here on."

Cauthen said the transfers have taken to ASU's system so well he issued a challenge to Ota, who had 22 tackles as a true freshman last season.

"He's got to get his butt in shape and get well because he'll be passed up," Cauthen said.

Heightened competition is what Cauthen has been waiting for considering the state of ASU's defensive tackles a year ago.

When Cauthen arrived, the only defensive tackle with extensive experience was Dexter Blackmon. Last fall, the four starting defensive linemen consisted of end Chris Stone, Blackmon and the two who practiced the best that week.

Ota eventually found himself in a regular role, starting five of the last seven games, while Darius Rosser, Clifford Thomas, Chris Odom, Ja'Von Rolland-Jones, Caleb Caston and Carderious Dean each started at least one game. All but Blackmon are back, giving the group experience.

Now the three transfers give the unit depth, too.

"They're going to be immediate help," Cauthen said. "I would suspect that definitely all three will be in the top rotation."

Roberson's size puts him there. He is listed at 6-2, 338 pounds, and that's after losing almost 15 pounds since arriving in January. He said he wants to get below 330 by the time the season starts.

Mondie's FBS experience helps him. He played in 11 games for UAB last year, making eight tackles.

"I was always undersized," Swalley said. "If I wanted to play I had to have a motor."

Cauthen said he hopes the three keep progressing until fall, while promising that ASU's depth at the spot will never again reach what it was last year.

"Defensive tackle will no longer be an issue as long as Blake Anderson is here," Cauthen said. "It will be a priority."

Sports on 04/01/2015

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