Why Keene Is a Perfect Fit for ASU’s Offense
In this story:
The Deep Passing Game
When watching Keene, the biggest thing that stands out is how great of a deep ball thrower he is. Not only, is he pretty accurate in that area of the field, but the ball is so smooth out of his hand while throwing down the field. This matches up well, as a lot of ASU's pass catches are more so down the field type of receivers and field stretchers.
From Jalen Moss to Derek Eusebio to many more, ASU's receivers are more slender types of receivers who can get down the field quickly. So with Keene's great deep ball, ASU could be a team that really specailzies in this area of the field. A lot of ASU's big plays down the field this past season came from the likes of Jordyn Tyson and him making amazing plays down the field. However, with Tyson gone to the NFL, Keene's great deep ball and ASU's established receivers could be the way to get down field.
The Quick Game
While attacking down the field is great to set up a team in the redzone, it is also equally important to get a quick passing game going in the offense. This is where Keene can excel at, as the ball flies out of his hands. As priorly mentioned, ASU's receivers are quick, so Keene can get the ball out fast to his fast playmakers so they can create space and yards. Additionally, with ASU's tight ends looking to be great with AJ Ia and Khamari Anderson, the quick game could be as lethal for ASU as the deep game next year.
The Creation Game
Now Keene is not the only ASU QB that can create, as Cutter Boley can show that he can create on the run as well. However, Keene and Boley are a bit different of how they create. Boley is more so of a runner how Keene is more of a thrower. However, Keene is still mobile and athletic and can be dangerous if defenses do not account for him.
Another aspect of play creation and Keene being mobile is that it could boost the running game. By having a mobile QB, ASU could run some read options. Plus Keene is another rushing threat in the backfield in addition to the backs they have with Jason Brown Jr. and Demarius Robinson.
The Locker Room
One thing that stoodout about Keene was not so much on the field, but off the field. Keene's personality on social media seems to be very fun and energetic, which is important to football. As seen with this past year for ASU, seasons can be hard to due to some big injuries (Ben Coleman and Sam Leavitt) and tough losses (Utah Utes and Arizona). So, having a strong locker room is important, and it seems like Keene's high energy could be great for when things get tough for the Sun Devils.
Ultimately, it is up to ASU's coaching staff on who the starter is, both Mikey Keense and Cutter Boley bring a lot of great atrritubtes to the table. It seems like whoever ASU goes with, their QB room is going to be in good hands.
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Tanner Cappellini holds a mass communications degree from Arizona State University and is pursuing his dream of being the person at the games, practices, and events who takes others inside the team they love.