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June 13, 2008 - 5:38PM
Starting tight end leaves ASU football team
Dan Zeiger, Tribune
The Arizona State football offseason roster reduction continued on Friday with the program's highest-profile departure to date.
Dane Guthrie, projected as the starting tight end, will not return for his senior season. The reason was not disclosed, but he missed a portion of spring drills due to academics.
Saguaro lineman Kody Koebensky commits to ASU
The 6-foot-3, 275-pounder, who transferred to ASU from Florida in 2005, played defensive end last season. He moved back to tight end prior to spring practice.
Guthrie is the fifth member of the team to depart since the end of the spring, following four reserves: receiver Rodney Glass, defensive lineman Zach Niusulu, linebacker Antone Saulsberry and tight end Lance Evbuomwan.
The tight ends below Guthrie on the spring depth chart were Andrew Pettes, Jovon Williams and Dan Knapp. Converted defensive end Wes Evans is also at the position, and the program signed two incoming freshmen, Steven Figueroa and Toa Tuitea (who could play on defense), and junior-college transfer Stanley Malamala.
If any of the departing players are not in good academic standing, ASU's NCAA Academic Progress Rate score would be affected. A team can lose scholarships if its APR score falls below 925 and a player leaves the program while academically ineligible.
The football team's APR score for the 2006-07 academic year was 933.
With Guthrie's departure, the Sun Devils are believed to be at the maximum-allowed 85 scholarship players, barring any other academic casualties among the current roster and recruits scheduled to arrive in the fall.
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