ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU’s Deantre Lewis moving back to offense

Nov 13, 2012, 9:05 PM | Updated: 9:28 pm

Depth has been a factor for Arizona State in Todd Graham’s first year as head coach, especially in the defensive secondary.

Back in September, in an effort to bolster the defensive depth, Graham decided to switch sophomore Deantre Lewis from tailback and give him a shot at safety.

Lewis saw action in a handful of games on defense, tallying four total tackles. But he wasn’t part of the travel team that lost at USC 38-17, and it now looks like the experiment is over.

“We tried to move him over to DB and I think it’s been very tough from a learning standpoint for him,” Graham said following Tuesday’s practice in Tempe. “He kind of was excited about it for a couple weeks, then he got kind of confused and kind of hit a wall, so we’re going to probably move him back and get him going, working at tailback.”

Lewis opened eyes as a true freshman in 2010 when he ran for 552 yards on just 92 carries and scored four touchdowns. In that season, he had three consecutive games with more than 100 yards rushing (122 at Wisconsin, 127 vs. Oregon and 104 at Oregon State). He was also a threat in the passing game, catching 23 balls for 370 yards and another score.

Lewis was shot in February of 2011 while visiting family in Riverside, California. He didn’t play last season while recovering from his injuries.

“Deantre helped us in some nickel and dime stuff, he just wasn’t able to progress,” Graham said. “So he wasn’t playing, and if he’s not going to play, we’d rather him be back over there and give us some depth at running back.”

Arizona State Football

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What is Bobby Hurley’s future at Arizona State?

On the latest State of the Sun Devil podcast the guys react to the end of men's basketball season, and wonder what the future of the program will be and how the offseason will unfold. Plus, reactions to football's pro day.

3 days ago

ASU football field...

Dan Bickley

Arizona State reaches rock bottom at end of Pac-12 stay

Rock bottom is mostly a metaphor, a cliché for sports teams that have fallen and can’t get up. But you can find it on the map at ASU.

4 days ago

Michael Crow, Arizona State University president...

Kevin Zimmerman

Now would be a good time for Arizona State to hire an athletic director

Who's to make a decision on Arizona State coach Bobby Hurley without an athletic director? Michael Crow must make a decision soon.

4 days ago

ASU QB Drew Pyne...

Arizona Sports

Former ASU starting QB Drew Pyne headed to Missouri

After playing in just two games in his ASU football career, quarterback Drew Pyne is moving on to the Missouri Tigers.

8 days ago

Sparky's Fairway at Mountain America Stadium...

Tyler Drake

Sparky’s Fairway golf takes over Arizona State’s Mountain America Stadium

ASU's Mountain America Stadium is trading in its hash marks for yardage markers as Sparky's Fairway takes center stage beginning Thursday.

11 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: What does Arizona State men’s basketball need to do against Bronny James and USC?

On the latest edition of State of the Sun Devils, the guys discuss what Arizona State men's basketball needs to do next.

13 days ago

ASU’s Deantre Lewis moving back to offense