This is not the news ASU football fans were hoping for.
After cornerback Omar Bolden and wide receiver T.J. Simpson were both seriously injured in practices last week, fans were praying that the athletes did not tear their ACL's. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to the talented seniors.
Coach Dennis Erickson confirmed this news after practice on Tuesday evening. Erickson made it clear that they are having surgery next week, and in the meantime have been in rehab trying to strengthen their knees.
With the loss of these two players for the entire 2011 season being a very real possibility, who is going to step in and take over at these skill positions?
The wide receiving corps at ASU is fairly strong, with players such as Gerrell Robinson, Mike Willie, Aaron Pflugrad, Kyle Middlebrooks, and George Bell all capable of contributing on next season's team. Cornerback is a position that is of more concern at this time.
Deveron Carr is now the most experienced of the remaining cornerbacks, and he will play alongside one of the following players: Osahon Irabor, Devan Spann, Joe Eason (true freshman), and Alden Darby.
Darby played in all 12 games last season as a true freshman, and Irabor played well in 2010, especially when he made four tackles against Arizona during the Territorial Cup victory.
Regardless of who replaces these players, the loss of Omar Bolden is a serious blow to the Pac-12 Championship aspirations of this experienced Sun Devils team.
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