Tempe, AZ – Highly touted junior college WR Jaelen Strong committed to the Sun Devils on Christmas Day with more expectations and optimism than even he was aware of. After all, he is the missing puzzle piece to an explosive ASU offense that has been lacking a deep receiving threat for several years.

However, Sun Devil Nation knew the gift they received. 

The casual fan might look strictly at his receiving numbers and touchdown catches as the barometer by which to judge his inaugural season in Tempe. However, just having him on the field will yield other important results.

Here are 3 ways Jaelen Strong will impact ASU’s Offense in 2013:

#21 WR Jaelen Strong, 6-4 and 205 pounds

SIZE

At 6-4 and 205 pounds, Strong is a dynamic play-maker with the physical tools and exceptional speed to be a home run threat throughout a game. He is big and strong enough to make catches with defensive backs draped all over him (that is, IF they can even run with him). He is the epitome of the “explosive” player that Coach Todd Graham covets for the Sun Devil offense.

DISTRACTION

Strong is a player that is almost impossible to cover in a man-to-man situation, and defenses have to be aware of his presence. Safeties will give him extra attention over the top and cornerbacks will try to blanket him on every route. This means, very simply, that with the extra attention Strong commands, there will be extra space behind the linebacking core for Chris Coyle, DJ Foster and others to gain space.

BLOCKING

Perimeter blocking is paramount in this offense, and ASU relies on speed to the outside in their zone read scheme. Strong has the physical prowess to be a dominant blocker on run plays and short passes to the outside, springing those plays for big gains.

Strong Fork

Those were humble words from one of the most sought after receivers in the 2013 class. “Talent only gets you so far without character and humility, and at the end of the day, you have to find out who the man is behind the talent,” he said.

So how does a JC recruit with scholarship offers from across the country choose ASU to finish his college career?

Strong explained that he knew Coach Norvell from his days at Pitt, and when Norvell and Graham “showed up at my house and talked to my mom and grandparents about hard work and being the best man that I can be, I knew it was a sign. That’s more important than anything, even though I want to play this game for another fifteen years.”

If I’m looking for a good investment in 2013, I’m buying stock in Mr. Jaelen Strong.