Key To Success: Which ASU Receiver Will Emerge As Top Target

This season for the Sun Devils, will usher in a new quarterback as well as feature a couple inexperienced receivers.

The new signal caller for ASU will be the 6'5" Senior gunslinger, Danny Sullivan. However, Danny has never started a game for the Sun Devils, he has had some quality experience under his belt against Texas, and early non conference opponents such as San Jose State, San Diego State, and Northern Arizona.

His experience standing next to Dennis Erickson on the sidelines the past couple of seasons cannot be overlooked either.

Sullivan progressed during the spring, so much so that the staff named him the leader and virtually locked him into the starting spot at quarterback for the Sun Devils season opener versus Idaho State.

However, the wide receivers are going to have to hold up their end of the bargain as well.

With Michael Jones graduating following a season in which he hauled in 61 passes for 744 yards and four touchdowns, the returning wide receivers will have to step up and carry the weight left from their number one receiver the past two seasons.

The player that might have the heaviest weight on his shoulders might be Senior receiver Chris McGaha.

Although, McGaha is a Senior at Arizona State and has always been a consistent contributor for the Sun Devils, the Phoenix product has never been the number one guy for Arizona State.

By many members of the west coast media, and even national media pundits have "dubbed" McGaha a possession receiver because of his lack of touchdown receptions. However, McGaha has the speed, route running precision, and hands to be the number one guy for Sullivan and Arizona State.

In McGaha's previous three seasons in Tempe, he has posted amazing numbers: 112 receptions for 1,569 yards, and 5 touchdowns.

All great numbers, although Sun Devil Stadium would be rocking a little bit harder if McGaha reaches the endzone five times in a single season.

Chris McGaha will not be the only notable receiver to watch on Arizona State. However, fellow Senior Kyle Williams, the speedy Junior Kerry Taylor, and Sophomore Gerrell Robinson will also help to improve the offensive production from the 2008 season.

Senior Kyle Williams has shown his big play ability on special teams, and occassionally on offense. However, the consistency out of Williams has yet to be shown.

During spring workouts for the Sun Devils, Williams showed a renewed confidence and leadership, while progressing through conditioning drills, weight lifting, and in the offensive huddle.

Last season Williams caught 19 passes and matched Michael Jones' touchdown total of four, while taking a step back from his sophomore season numbers of ten more receptions for 6 touchdowns.

Although, Williams looks to breakout as a receiver this season, he has already proven himself as a big play return man for ASU.

In 2008 Williams totaled over 860 yards combined on punt and kick returns.

The third wide receiver for Arizona State might show the most impressive jump in stats from season to season for the Sun Devils. As a true Freshman, Kerry Taylor only hauled in eight passes for 53 yards and one touchdown.

Last year, Taylor nearly tripled his production. In 2008 the Chandler, AZ native caught 27 passes for 405 yards and three touchdowns.

Taylor is not the biggest receiver, however, his route running precision and leaping ability sets him up for big play ability. Taylor was also featured on ESPN's top 10 plays during the spring, when he made an amazing behind the back catch for a touchdown.

The unproven player that might be the difference between a good receiving corps and a great receiving corps is Sophomore Gerrell Robinson.

The former U.S. Army All-American performer from Chandler Arizona's high school powerhouse, Hamilton high school has yet to make the big time impact that Sun Devil fans expected from him when the 6'4" athlete pledged to Erickson and Arizona State.

In 2008, Robinson only caught three passes for 26 yards. This upcoming season, Robinson's number will have to greatly increase for the Sun Devils passing attack to be as daunting as it was in years past.

Whether it is McGaha, Williams, or Taylor who step up to be Arizona State's number one receiver, all three and even Gerrell Robinson will have to be consistent contributors to the Sun Devil passing attack, for Arizona State to return to a bowl game and surprise people in the Pac-10.