The fifth-year senior was moved there in the spring and played some at the position during fall camp with the intent to learn enough that he could play there in case of a midseason emergency.
The need for Humes' veteran presence came earlier than expected.
"I love it," Humes said after Tuesday's practice. "For them to move me to that position, that shows me that my coaches have a lot of confidence in me to take that on my shoulders."
Humes is expected to play in his 42nd game and start for the 27th time in his career when ASU opens its season against Toledo on Friday night at Centennial Bank Stadium.