Arizona State Football: 5 Players Who Surprised Us, 5 Who Need to Step Up

The Arizona State Sun Devils have one more game to prove themselves—against the Boise State Broncos in the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas.

Under Dennis Erickson this season, the Sun Devils started out the year with much success. Down the line, they faded and ended the season 6-6. While many players were playing at a shocking level, some continued to disappoint. 

Everyone is going to have to improve for next season. The Sun Devils have a well-built team, but there is still room for improvement. Some players are on the right track, while other still need some work.

Everyone is going to have to be playing their best come December 22nd, but for those returning next year, they will need to come back playing at the level they should be.

The following Sun Devils either surprised us this season or appear to still be a work in progress.

Surprised: Quarterback Brock Osweiler

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Brock Osweiler came through big this season. He threw for 3,641 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. This was Osweiler's first season as a full-time starter, and he definitely took advantage of the situation.

Osweiler did have a drop-off over his last few games, but he started out the season on a high note. He had flashes of greatness time and time again, and he will likely be much more successful in his senior season.

The Sun Devils offense ran through Osweiler, and he showed that he could manage the team. Many were unsure how the 6'8" quarterback would do, but he certainly proved any naysayers wrong.

Needs Work: Middle Linebacker Vontaze Burfict

Hopes were high for Arizona State Sun Devil fans, as they were banking on their All-American middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Unfortunately, the junior regressed.

In 2010, Burfict recorded 90 tackles. Eight-and-a-half of those tackles were for a loss. In turn, he only recorded 68 this season, including seven for a loss. Burfict did have an interception on USC quarterback Matt Barkley, but that one interception was not enough to mask the down year he had.

Burfict also was getting a lot of penalties. He is going to have to cool off and play well against Boise State to improve his draft stock. If he cannot, he would be wise to return to ASU for his senior season under a new coach.

Surprised: Wide Receiver Jamal Miles

Jamal Miles took on many different roles for the Arizona State Sun Devils this year. He played primarily wide receiver and kick returner, but he also played a little running back. He actually had one pass this season for a touchdown against the Missouri Tigers.

Miles had a total of 10 touchdowns this season. The majority of them came in receiving, where he scored six times with 361 yards. He also had three returns, two of which were kickoff returns.

Miles showed a lot of versatility, and he should continue to be an all-purpose threat next season and eventually in the NFL.

Needs Work: Running Back Cameron Marshall

Hopes were high for junior running back Cameron Marshall. The Arizona State Sun Devils knew they had an extremely talented back, but unfortunately ankle injuries hampered any consistency.

Marshall did run for 1,038 yards with 18 touchdowns, but he could have done much more. In seven of 12 games, Marshall ran for under 90 yards. In three games, he ran for more then 140 yards. As one can see, these numbers don't line up.

Is Marshall a special back or one that gets lucky? He will need to prove himself against Boise State and next year as well.

Surprised: Wide Receiver Aaron Pflugrad

Aaron Pflugrad was the Arizona State Sun Devils' second-best receiver this season. He did drop off in the middle of the season, but his 40 receptions for 620 yards with five touchdowns was still second-best on the team.

Pflugrad hadn't played much in his first three years, but this season he really came on strong with new starting quarterback Brock Osweiler. Pflugrad will hope to have one last big game this season against Boise State, as it will be his last as a Sun Devil.

Needs Work: WR/RB Kyle Middlebrooks

Kyle Middlebrooks is a work in progress. The utility wide receiver/running back combo has been useful, but he could take a back seat next season with Deantre Lewis coming back and perhaps the return of Cameron Marshall.

Middlebrooks would do best to make a name for himself in the receiving game, but unfortunately he is similar in stature to Jamal Miles. He is only a sophomore, so he does have time to grow. Middlebrooks will be a great piece in case anyone goes down, and he is always a threat for speed.

2012 should be just another developmental year for Middlebrooks, who will likely have his time to shine in his senior season with the Sun Devils.

Surprised: Safety Alden Darby

Sophomore safety Alden Darby had a huge year for the Arizona State Sun Devils. In his first year as a designated starter, he picked off the opposition three times. He also had a total of 41 tackles.

Considering he is only a sophomore, Darby still has work to do. He was impressive in his first real shot at starting, and he will continue to be a threat next season. The Sun Devils have great defenders, but their lack of experience really hurt them down the stretch.

Needs Work: Cornerback Osahon Irabor

Sophomore cornerback Osahon Irabor still has room for improvement in 2012. His lack of experience assisted in the Sun Devils' defensive collapse.

Irabor did have one interception on the year, but he only improved his total tackles to 45 from 40 just a season ago.

Irabor has potential, but he will need to come up big next season for this Sun Devils defense. This entire secondary is still being groomed, and next year it should be capable of defending whatever team is put in front of it.

Surprised: Defensive End Davon Coleman

Sophomore defensive end Davon Coleman was playing in his first season after being redshirted his freshman year. In his first season, he recorded 41 tackles. Five of those tackles were for a loss as well.

He was second to only Vontaze Burfict with 2.5 sacks. Coleman showed much promise in making this defense as dangerous as it was. He also managed to force a fumble on the season.

Coleman should come into 2012 ready to improve. He will help this Sun Devils front line become a threat in the Pac-12 for years to come.

Needs Work: Kicker Alex Garoutte

No player needs to improve more than Arizona State Sun Devils freshman kicker Alex Garoutte. 

On the season, Garoutte converted 14 of 21 field goals. He missed three against the UCLA Bruins—misses that sealed the Sun Devils loss and the start of their epic collapse. His miss against the Missouri Tigers in the second game of the season also forced the Sun Devils to go into overtime.

Garoutte was only a freshman, so he has plenty of time to redeem himself. The thing is the pressure will be even greater next season.

One more miss to lose a game and he could find himself out of a job.