It seems as if it’s not a national signing day unless Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson is asked to respond to a Mike Stoops charge about admissions standards at ASU.

On Wednesday, Stoops, Arizona’s coach, called ASU a “junior college” while discussing his 2008 signees with Tucson’s media.

“Each school has to recruit to their school and what kind of requirements they (have),” Stoops said. “Arizona State has turned into a junior college, and we’re a four-year college. According to all the players, they say its easier to go to school there.”

Laughing, Stoops added: “I thought we all had the same requirements.”

Among ASU’s recruiting class are three players — receivers Gerell Robinson and Jarrell Barbour and running back Ryan Bass — who decommitted from Arizona.

In 2007, Stoops said in a radio interview that ASU was able to admit some junior-college transfers that “we couldn’t get in.”

As was documented after Stoops’ comment a year ago, both schools are public institutions governed by the same Board of Regents, both are members of the same conference and adhere to the same NCAA rules, so their admissions standards are virtually identical.

Erickson’s response: “He can say what he wants, (the standards) are all the same. The bottom line in recruiting and all the talk going back and forth is who is going to win games and who isn’t.

“What we’ve done academically with our people here in terms of helping players be successful, they do a great job. All you have to do is look at it and see that. I’m really not sure what he’s talking about. I don’t want to get in a (talking) contest anyway.”

INJURY REPORT

Running backs Keegan Herring and Jarrell Woods both underwent ankle surgery after ASU’s loss against Texas in the Holiday Bowl, but Erickson said they will likely be available for spring practice.

“(Arthroscopic) surgery for some cleanup,” Erickson said. “They’re fine.”

Herring (815 rushing yards, five touchdowns last year) sprained his ankle against Arizona on Dec. 1. Woods’ injury nagged him for the entire season, as he did not play until the bowl game, in which he rushed for 20 yards and a TD.

Defensive lineman Eric Tanner and offensive lineman Matt Hustad are still rehabilitating after knee surgery in 2007. Erickson said that Hustad is probable for spring drills, Tanner is questionable.

NO MORE MORANT

ASU is not pursuing a sixth season of eligibility for defensive lineman Tranell Morant, ending the collegiate career of the Florida transfer who was highly touted when he came to Tempe in 2005.

An athletic 6-foot-6, 275-pounder, Morant did not play last year due to a knee injury. He had six tackles (all solo) and a sack in nine games for the Sun Devils, all in 2006.