ASU football: Jordyn Tyson out indefinitely

TEMPE, Ariz. – Arizona State football completed a beatdown of its rivals in Tucson on Saturday to the tune of 49-7. With the results of other Big 12 matchups, ASU secured its place in the Big 12 championship game with a spot in the College Football Playoffs on the line. But with that win, came the loss of ASU’s standout redshirt sophomore receiver Jordyn Tyson.

Tyson left Saturday’s game against Arizona in the third quarter after landing hard on his shoulder. This afternoon, head coach Kenny Dillingham said Tyson would be out indefinitely. So, what will ASU’s offense look like without the star receiver?

Jordyn Tyson is tackled by two Arizona defenders in the Territorial Cup on Nov. 30, 2024. (Photo by Sedona Levy/Sun Devil Daily)

What does the Jordyn Tyson loss mean for ASU football

As many might have expected, Dillingham said it’s the next-man-up approach. The Sun Devils have relied heavily on Tyson this season through the passing game. The star receiver surpassed 1,000 yards on the season last weekend with his third straight 100-yard receiving game and his fifth overall this year.

Tyson has collected 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. In his last six games, he has 732 receiving yards, including 444 in his last three games. Tyson is ASU’s only receiver with at least 500 receiving yards. The Sun Devils’ second leading receiver is senior running back Cam Skattebo with 468 yards.

“Time to move some people around,” Dillingham said. “Time to get more people on the field, create probably more balance offensively.”

Jordyn Tyson ran wild on Arizona’s defense, tallying 143 receiving yards on eight receptions and adding a touchdown, before leaving the game with an injury. (Photo by Sedona Levy/Sun Devil Daily)

Who will step up without Jordyn Tyson?

ASU has a few players that could grow into bigger roles in Tyson’s absence. Redshirt senior receiver Xavier Guillory and redshirt junior tight end Chamon Metayer both have just shy of 300 receiving yards on the season, third and fourth for ASU, respectively.

Both players have had big moments throughout the season. It may not be as noticeable because Tyson has put up incredible numbers and Skattebo racks up more than 150 scrimmage yards per game, but these two guys have the ability to be playmakers. Guillory has had a long touchdown catch in each of the last two games. Metayer has collected 139 receiving yards over the last five games. The two pass catchers have combined for five touchdowns over the last four games.

Some other skill position guys that could step up in the receiver role are graduate student Melquan Stovall, redshirt senior Jake Smith, redshirt senior Troy Omeire, and redshirt freshman Derek Eusebio. Stovall and Smith have shown bursts of talent and production throughout the season. Omeire is behind Tyson on the depth chart and could see an increase in snaps, and Eusebio is a young talented player who flashed Saturday with a 64-yard touchdown catch.

As ASU football gets ready for the Big 12 championship game, expect many of these guys to get involved in the passing game. Balance will be key, and it’s unlikely for one single player to recreate Tyson’s productivity. Look for Leavitt to spread the ball around and get the running backs involved out of the backfield as well.

The running game will continue to be key

The loss of Tyson will force the receivers around him to step up. However, don’t think this will alter what has driven the Sun Devils’ success all season long.

“As always, you have to be able to run the ball, and have good play action,” Dillingham said.

As fans who pay attention to Dillingham have noticed, he keeps it very simple sometimes. Regardless of Tyson’s injury, the key to having a successful offense is running the ball with success, to create the opening for play action down the field.

ASU has one of the best running backs in the country, Skattebo who is a five-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. The Sun Devils will pound the rock with Skattebo and add in some of the sophomore running back Kyson Brown’s elusiveness and speed to get the ground game going. Then, ASU will look to get the passing game going with the guys mentioned above.

There is no shortage of talent on this offense, it just hasn’t had to shine its brightest with Tyson’s incredible play. Whether it be other receivers stepping up, or Skattebo and Brown making plays out of the backfield, ASU will have to fill the void left by Tyson’s absence.

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