Whether Phil Bennett returns as Arizona State defensive coordinator or someone else has the job under new head coach Herm Edwards, the Sun Devils should be good up front.
Even with defensive tackle Tashon Smallwood and rush linebacker A.J. Latu graduating, ASU returns some key players in the defensive front while adding Darius Slade, a defensive end transfer from Ohio State who shared the team defensive scout team most valuable player award with safety Owen Rogers.
"We think he's got tremendous potential," Bennett said of Slade, 6-4, 255 pounds. "He was in the rotation at Ohio State, which probably means a lot.