Hargis making transition from tackling to blocking

The Arizona State offensive line is still a work in progress, but Jon Hargis could be developing into a pleasant surprise at left tackle.

It was an eye-raising move when coach Dennis Erickson took Hargis from the defensive line and put him in charge of protecting the backside of quarterback Rudy Carpenter. But the sophomore’s crash course at the position could be paying off, as Hargis has held his own in fall practice.

Given that he often blocks Dexter Davis, one of the best defensive ends in the Pac-10, that is no small achievement.

“When you are the left tackle, you want to do every play perfectly,” said Hargis, a 6-foot-4, 306-pound product of Mesa Red Mountain High. “But for the most part, I’m doing quite well. I have a lot of areas I need to improve in, but going up against Dexter Davis has been great practice every day.”

There is still much room for improvement for Hargis, who was the guilty party on two of the offense’s six false starts during Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Camp Tontozona. He said he still has trouble reading linebacker movement.

Even though games are an entirely different, and tougher, proving ground, Hargis said he is not concerned about the offensive line, a unit that gave up a school-record 55 sacks last year and has had its struggles during camp.

“It’s kind of hard when you go against your own defense,” Hargis said.

“They know your calls, and our defense has been flying around a lot. It makes us better to go against them every day.”

INJURY REPORT

Erickson hopes to have many of his injured players back next week, including starting wide receiver Chris McGaha (toe), who has not practiced in eight days.

“The timetable is to have him ready to play against Northern Arizona, which means he would have to practice next week,” Erickson said.

“I don’t think he is in jeopardy (of not playing).”

Center Garth Gerhart is day-to-day with a high ankle sprain. Defensive end James Brooks (ankle), running back Shaun DeWitty (hamstring) and wide receiver Brandon Smith (hamstring) did not practice.

Safety Rodney Cox departed Tuesday’s workout with back pain, but Erickson said that it is not serious.

LINE MATTERS

Erickson indicated junior-college transfer Tom Njunge will be a backup at both offensive tackle spots.

Njunge worked on the right side on Tuesday after lining up on the left since the start of fall drills. He switched positions with Mike Marcisz.

The move was necessitated in part by the absence of Matt Hustad, who is out for at least a week with a knee injury.

“Tom is our third tackle, and he hasn’t played any right tackle,” Erickson said. “It’s designed to give us more flexibility.”

EXTRA POINTS

Saia Falahola would start alongside David Smith at defensive tackle if ASU played a game today. Falahola, a 6-2, 304-pound sophomore, was limited to three games last season because of arm injuries.

Jonathan English. Spencer Gasu, Paul Unga and David Bertrand are part of the defensive tackle rotation. …

The Sun Devils will not practice for two days after scrimmaging on Thursday. They will have a short workout on Sunday, are off on Monday due to the first day of classes and begin their usual game-week preparation on Tuesday.

The season opener against Northern Arizona is Aug. 30.