One of Rob Likens earliest stated goals for his first year as Arizona State offensive coordinator was to keep Manny Wilkins from taking a pounding like the first two years as starting quarterback.
It's easy to forget Likens saying that back then because truthfully there was no good reason to believe it could happen.
ASU was No. 120 nationally in sacks allowed in 2017 (3.15 per game), a fractional improvement from No. 123 (3.42) in 2016.
With center A.J. McCollum graduating and especially guard Sam Jones leaving early for the NFL, Wilkins seemed on the path to more punishment, not less, in his final season.