Holiday Bowl trip a rare reward for the 'scrubs'

SAN DIEGO - All year, they have walked onto the practice field for Arizona State — yellow jerseys signifying their status — to get hit by those at the top of the depth chart.

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There have been no cheers, no glory, not even a game at the end of the week for players who were, years ago, usually labeled as “scrubs.” That term has been replaced by the more dignified “scout teamers.”

During game preparation, they are players who simulate the opposing offense and defense for the first- and second-teamers. Many are walk-ons who likely will never star at ASU but are there for love of the game. Some are true freshmen, redshirting and part of the team’s future.

“In practice, the first team goes most of the time, the second team for the rest,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “When you are on a scout team, you go every play, anywhere from 60 to 75 plays a practice. It’s hard. But you learn and get better. Most everyone goes through it in their career.”

For many scout-teamers confined to the sidelines during home games and not part of the traveling party for road dates, their game-experience reward finally arrives during bowl season. Since they are needed to simulate Texas during the Sun Devils’ Holiday bowl practices, they make the trip to San Diego.

They get the bowl gifts, and a ring.

“Is it good to get all of that stuff? Yes,” said freshman linebacker Oliver Aaron, chuckling. “I certainly got hit enough for it.”

As far as the coaching staff is concerned, the biggest benefit for those in yellow shirts is the extra work. ASU devoted the first four of its 10 postseason workouts to training camp-style drills, with younger players getting most of the turns.

“It’s like having another spring football for them,” Erickson said.

Among the players who have benefited from toiling on the scout team this season, and names Sun Devil fans could hear more often in 2008:

• Defensive end James Brooks made a push to play as a true freshman with an impressive camp performance. However, Dane Guthrie’s move from tight end allowed the coaches to hold off on Brooks, an athletic 6-foot-4, 270-pounder.

“It has been a season of work, getting better and competing against our best offensive linemen,” Brooks said. “It’s made me better. I haven’t lost time. Next year, I’ll still be a freshman.”

• Aaron, one of two highly-regarded true freshman linebackers from Florida — Derrall Anderson is the other — has sometimes made a play in practice and asked himself why he was not playing on Saturdays. However, he stresses patience.

“You have to give respect to the people in front of you,” Aaron said. “They are better than me. Next year, I’ll have to compete for a starting spot. Thanks to the things I’ve learned (on the scout team), next year I won’t be a freshman who makes freshman mistakes.”

• Running back Shaun DeWitty is an atypical scout-teamer — he played as a true freshman in 2005. However, depth enabled Erickson to redshirt DeWitty this year, although he pondered playing him after Ryan Torain suffered his foot injury in October.

At 6-2 and 217 pounds, DeWitty is the biggest Sun Devil running back.

“At first, it was hard (sitting out), but I realized that this was best for me,” DeWitty said. “This is what the coaches wanted me to do, and this is the best way I can help the team this year. I feel like I’ve gotten much stronger, which is what I needed.”

• With Mike Pollak leaving, true freshman Garth Gerhart likely will compete with sophomore Thomas Altieri for starting center in 2008.

“It’s a different world from high school,” Gerhart said. “The speed of the game, pass blocking, I’ve had to learn it all. Going against the No. 1 defense has helped me a ton.

“But I know I’m getting better, and, hopefully, next year, I’ll have a shot at starting. This experience will help me in that job battle.”

Among other freshman scout team members who could contribute as early as 2008 are tight end Dan Knapp — ASU’s coaches believe he could turn out to be the best player in the ’07 recruiting class — cornerback Jonathan Clark, receiver T.J. Simpson and offensive lineman Adam Tello.

“All of these guys have made the adjustment (to college) well,” said Matt Lubick, ASU’s safeties coach and recruiting coordinator. “Those guys who have been on the scout team have given the offense and defense great work. They’re some of the most productive scout teams I’ve been around.”