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Local product Tyler Johnson part of young, improved ASU defense

Tyler Johnson was as surprised as anyone when ASU linebackers coach Antonio Pierce called him to go in with the first unit the Sun Devils first practice in preparation for Stanford three weeks ago.

To that point he had been getting in games on special teams and he had seen increased time on defense against Colorado, so he was happy to hear his named called to go in with the starting unit for the first time.

Head coach Herm Edwards and his staff have stressed all along that the best players will start and it doesn't matter who had started under the previous regime or who came in with the most impressive high school resume.