Last season, Cameron Marshall became ASU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2006. He scored 18 rushing touchdowns, which tied a school record. So how many games did Marshall take the field feeling totally healthy?
“Probably just one,” the senior said.
That’s what gives ASU fans hope for this season. A healthy Marshall could be a force in the backfield, one capable of breaking tackles and sustaining drives. Problem is: Marshall still isn’t 100 percent. After the first week of spring practice, Marshall felt pain in his ankle. The result: minor surgery, which put Marshall on crutches for the rest of the spring.
His hope is to be pain-free by fall camp, which will give the offense a boost. At this point, Marshall isn’t holding back.
“All-Pac-12, All-American, all-everything,” he said. “My goals are high for this year. I’ve expressed that and I want to make sure we do our thing out here in Tempe.”
Regardless of the uncertainty at quarterback, ASU is expected to run more this year. Last season, under former ASU offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone, the Sun Devils ran on 44.5 percent of 950 total plays. Over the last two years, Graham’s teams have rushed 54.9 percent of 944 plays (last year at Pittsburgh) and 53.4 percent of 1,006 plays (2010 at Tulsa).
The backfield, however, is crowded.
Aside from Marshall, senior James Morrison played so well during the spring that Graham practically guaranteed him carries. Junior Kyle Middlebrooks and sophomore Deantre Lewis have shown flashes, and the Sun Devils likely will try to get receiver Jamal Miles involved.
Making matters more complicated: Marion Grice, considered a top junior college running back, and talented freshman D.J. Foster arrive in the fall.
Graham, however, isn’t concerned.
“Cam Marshall, in my opinion, if he can get trained (following his surgery), he can be as good as there is in this conference and one of the best in the country,’’ he said. “He fits our style of downhill running.”
Marshall embraces the challenge.
“Obviously, we do have a lot of talented backs, and I love that because it keeps me on my toes and on my game,” he said. “There’s never time to take a day off. Never time to take a play off. It just motivates me more, to get in the film room and make more plays in practice and all that kind of stuff.”