Tempe, AZ – ASU Football has caught a wave of new recruits for it’s 2014 Class. With safety Jamal Scott’s announcement today, the Sun Devils have secured seven verbal commitments in eighteen days. This is a healthy boost to #Graham360, the acronym for ASU’s recruiting campaign.

Sherman Morris, Assistant Athletics Director for Recruiting, said he expects the Sun Devils to secure 12-13 total commitments before game one, just 30 days from now. The class currently holds 9 members. Morris also noted that most recruits want to make their decision now so they can focus on their upcoming senior season.

DieHard Devil has narrowed 4.2 things you should know about each player:

More quality additions to the Sun Devil Recruiting Class of 2014

Tyler Whiley (4 Stars)

1. Tyler decided to #StayTrue2ASU as the first local commitment (Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, AZ) for the 2014 class. Whiley (6-1 / 187 lbs) can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball.

2. Whiley is labeled as the 13th rated “athlete” nationally, but is initially slotted for the WR position due in part to his advanced route-running skills at this stage in his football career.

3. His skill set and versatility easily make him a prospect that could contribute immediately at multiple positions on either side of the ball and in the return game.

4. Whiley chose Arizona State over many other big time programs including Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Michigan State and UCLA.

 4.2 Tyler is also the first “4 star” recruit in the 2014 class.

Nick Alexander (3 stars)

1. The trend of bolstering the WR core with big, tall and fast receivers continued when ASU secured a commitment from (6-3 / 185 lbs) Nick Alexander out of Lancaster HS (Lancaster, TX). Alexander is a clone of the type of receivers that Coach Graham stockpiled in the 2013 class.

2. Alexander plays in a run-first offense, and has shown the ability to be a physical blocker, which is paramount in the ASU offensive scheme.

#StayTrue2ASU

3. He also uses his size to get off the line with minimal disruption from defensive backs, and uses his body well in catching balls over would-be defenders.

4. He is considered raw in his route-running skills, but possesses all the physical tools to be a go-to receiver down the line.

4.2 ASU won the recruiting battle over Illinois, Oklahoma, SMU and Washington.

Alex Anderson (3 stars)

1. Coach Graham and staff secured DT Alex Anderson (6-3 / 295 lbs) out of O. Perry Walker HS (New Orleans, LA). Anderson is a two-way star for his high school team, but projects at guard for the Devils.

2. Anderson’s film shows a player who is very explosive off the ball from either lineman positions. He also demonstrates a “mean streak” and a consistent ability to finish his blocks downfield.

3. ASU beat out an impressive list of schools. Arkansas, Mississippi State, Missouri and West Virginia were among the double-digit scholarship offers for Anderson.

4. Per ASUDevils.com, Sun Devil recruit Manny Wilkins helped convince Anderson to come to the desert and build a legacy together. “At ASU, they said, ‘if football doesn’t work out, we’re still going to have your back forever, and you will get your degree and be successful in life,’ and that meant a lot.”

4.2 Keep it in the family. Anderson’s best friend is current Sun Devil Corey Smith. Alex also goes by the nickname “Pop.”

Coltin Gerhart (3 stars)

1. Coltin Gerhart from Vista Murrieta HS (Murrieta, CA) is listed as a dual-threat QB, but will begin his ASU career at the safety position.

2. Possessing a high football IQ and plenty of athleticism, Gerhart has only played safety sparingly in high school, so the learning curve will be steep.

3. Being a QB and graduating early in order to participate in spring 2014 practice in Tempe will certainly accelerate the learning process.

Coltin Gerhart will continue his brother Garth’s legacy at ASU.

4. ASU was the only school to offer Gerhart an opportunity to play defense and he chose ASU over Duke and Iowa State. 

4.2 Gerhart is the younger brother of former ASU center, Garth and former Stanford running back Toby. Both brothers are currently in the NFL.

Christian Sam (3 stars)

1. Christian Sam (6-2, 206 lbs), a versatile LB out of Allen HS (Allen, TX) is an exciting prospect that could be an early contributor at multiple LB positions.

2. The first thing that jumps out on film is his explosiveness off the line in blitzing, and sure tackling. He seems to have a nose for the ball, and is relentless running down plays that go opposite him.

3. He also possesses great skill in his drops into coverage and man-to-man coverage. This is the perfect type of linebacker to play against the spread offenses that are common in the Pac-12.

4. Sam said that “trust” with the ASU coaching staff was the key factor that convinced him to choose the Sun Devils.

ASU hopes to secure 4-5 more recruits before Game #1 on Sep. 5

4.2 His final decision came down to ASU and Baylor, with the Sun Devils getting their man. Sam also had offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Boise State and Wazzu.

Jamal Scott (3 stars)

1. Scott is the most recent recruit to pledge to the Devils as he gave his verbal earlier today. Scott (6-2 / 200 lbs) likes the way his style of play in the defensive backfield will fit in with the Sun Devils.

2. Rivals.com quoted Scott after his visit to ASU. “The defense, they showed me why they want me so bad,” Scott said. “The players were pretty cool, I met two or three of them and they were good guys. So I liked everything about them. “They also pulled up my highlight video and showed me what they do and what I do and it’s a great fit. I like the ASU coaches a lot too.”

3. Scott loves to make big time hits and will most likely start out as safety, with a future move to linebacker if he puts on more weight in the future.

4. After Scott visited Tempe and tried on an ASU jersey, he had a confident feeling of making his decision to become a Sun Devil.

4.2 The 16-year old chose the Sun Devils over Arizona, Oregon State, Utah and Houston.

Chad Adams (2 stars)

1. Adams (5-10 / 160 lbs) is a speedy athlete (4.37 sec / 40 yard dash) from Allen, TX who also boasts a 35 inch vertical leap. He will be counted on as a future cornerback in the Sun Devil defensive backfield.

2. Adams followed in the footsteps of his good friend Christian Sam, who also recently committed to the maroon & gold.

3. Adams was originally committed to Baylor, but made the switch to Arizona State. This is the second commitment that the Sun Devils snagged from Baylor. Adams also had offers from Washington, Connecticut and Kansas.

4. In a quote from DevilsDigest.com, Adams liked having other players from Texas in the Sun Devil program. “I met with Will Earley and Ellis Jefferson,” Adams recalled. “It was important to me to see Texas guys doing well away from home at ASU.”

4.2 The blackout Sun Devil uniforms are his favorite combo on game day.

What are you thoughts about ASU’s 2014 recruiting class to date? Comment below in the DieHard Forums.