DEFENSE UNLEASHED: Owen Long's Football IQ Shines as ASU's Defensive Keystone

Arizona State Sun Devils’ linebacker room is turning heads as transfer Owen Long—fresh off leading the FBS in tackles—emerges as the defense’s new anchor. Can Long’s explosive playmaking and elite football IQ fill the void left by last year’s departures, especially as ASU prepares to battle powerhouses like Texas A&M, Iowa State, and Texas Tech? Parker Peril and Philip Mulford break down the fierce competition for starting spots, spotlighting the unique strengths of Martell Hughes’ hybrid versatility and veteran leader Zyrus Fiaseu’s experience. Key questions center on ASU’s depth behind the “big three,” concerns about undersized linebackers in the trenches, and whether Hughes can thrive in a full-time linebacker role. With the Sun Devils setting the stage for an aggressive, turnover-hungry defense under Kenny Dillingham and Brian Ward, this episode asks: Is this the year Arizona State’s linebacker corps becomes the heart of the defense? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.