The Arizona State Sun Devils continue to try to fill their two biggest holes on defense. The SPUR linebacker and the field safety position remain the only two question marks on a defense that showed flashes of dominance last year.

Today it was Chris Young taking his turn at the SPUR linebacker spot. The position had been manned by senior Anthony Jones for most of fall camp, however Jones has worn a no-contact jersey for the past two days of practice.

Young posted 82 tackles last season and is one of the leaders on defense for the Sun Devils.

"We're moving them all around," said Todd Graham about his linebackers. "Chris (Young) will get reps at WILL, but we are trying to get our best guys around the football, doing things they are best at."

Carlos Mendoza, Salamo Fiso, A.J. Latu and Grandville Taylor have all gotten reps at SPUR linebacker this preseason along with Young and Jones.

Nelson Playing Well at Field Safety

With freshman safety Marcus Ball out three to five weeks with a separated shoulder, the Sun Devil secondary continues to shuffle around. Ball had been getting most of the first team reps at field safety this fall and it looked likely he would start against Sacramento State.

In his place the last two days has been converted cornerback Robert Nelson. The redshirt senior appeared in all 13 games last season.

"He's picked it (field safety) up really fast," said cornerback Osahon Irabor about Nelson. "Coach Graham was happy with his performance yesterday, so things are looking good back there."

Kyle Middlebrooks Dumps Non-Contact Jersey

Throughout camp, senior Kyle Middlebrooks has donned a green, non-contact jersey. When the team returned from Camp Tontozona on Monday, Middlebrooks traded his non-contact jersey for a shiny new offensive jersey.

The Fountain Valley, California, native provides depth at wide receiver and running back.

"I think he's full speed, you can tell he had fresh legs yesterday," said Graham. "He's a guy that's going to factor in for us on offense and going to help us."

Observations

Freshman punter Matt Haack had arguably his worst practice of fall camp today. Haack was spewing punts all over the field Tuesday morning. The freshman has had his moments this fall, impressing Todd Graham in the Camp Tontozona scrimmage, however it looks like junior Dom Vizzare could become the No. 1 punter.

Today Marlon Pollard and Rashad Wodood were the second team cornerbacks and James Johnson and Viliami Moeakiola ran together as the second team safeties.

Jaelen Strong continues to run with the first team offense. Today, it was Strong, Kevin Ozier and Rick Smith as the wide receivers in the first team offense.

Up Next

The Sun Devils will have their second two-a-day practice tomorrow. The morning practice runs from 8:30-11 a.m. and the evening practice from 6:40-9 p.m.