Going into the 2012 season, many Arizona State fans figured that the running back duties would belong Cameron Marshall. After having an outstanding 2011 season, he seemed poised to finish with a bang in his senior season. While Marshall did lead the Sun Devils in rushing, JUCO-transfer Marion Grice and freshman D.J. Foster both emerged as high octane, outstanding options not only in 2012, but for 2013. Now that year one is in the books for the talented Foster, just how good was he, and how good will he be?

D.J. Foster diving catch for TD in Boulder, Colorado

 From the very beginning, Foster showed that he was ready to help Arizona State. Although he is listed at running back, he actually had 40 more yards receiving the ball in 2012. Overall, he finished the year with 1026 yards (rushing/receiving) and six touchdowns while sharing the backfield with two other players. Those statistics made him one of the most promising freshmen in Arizona State football history, and with his ideal size and overall skill, he could really explode in the coming years.

Compared to past first year Sun Devils, Foster and defensive lineman Jaxon Hood, both born and bred in Arizona, became only the fifth and sixth true freshmen to start in their first-ever opportunity. Foster more than lived up to the hype after having an outstanding high school career in the state. He became the school’s freshman leader in all-purpose yardage, while finishing second in ASU history to another AZ talent, TE Zach Miller, in receptions and receiving yards. Pretty good for a non-wide receiver/tight end.

 With highly-skilled Marion Grice looking to prove his worth to play on Sundays, D.J. might not truly explode with his numbers in 2013 and be a solid FanDuel Fantasy Football pick, until 2014. He will still get plenty of opportunities to be a playmaker though, and his future is one of the brightest in some time in Tempe.