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TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Success on the field helped Arizona State on the recruiting trail last season.
Another strong season, another strong recruiting class.
After a second straight 10-win season, Sun Devils coach Todd Graham brought in a second straight recruiting class ranked among the nation's best on Wednesday, national signing day.
"The deal is we can get in doors now because of the success we've had with the elite recruits, to be able to be in attendance and be able to go and compete," Graham said. "And we did that."
The Sun Devils' 22-player class was rated No. 19 nationally by Scout and 21st by Rivals, rankings punctuated by the late addition of Joseph Wicker.
An explosive defensive lineman from Long Beach, California, Wicker had been deciding between several schools before calling Graham late Tuesday night to tell him he was headed to the desert, causing the coach to jump out of bed and do a "happy dance."
"I screamed at the top of my lungs when he said he wanted to be a Sun Devil and startled my wife a little bit," Graham. "And startled him a little bit, because it was real late at night."
Arizona State also stocked up on linemen on both sides of the ball and picked up a couple of solid quarterback prospects, including Brady White from Newhall, California.
Mike Bercovici, who filled in when Taylor Kelly was hurt last season, will be the starter next season, but has one year of eligibility left.
Arizona State's 2015 class includes 19 freshmen and three junior-college transfers, including linebacker Davon Durant and tight end Raymond Epps, both ranked among the best at their positions among JUCO players.
The Sun Devils' success on the field — three straight bowl berths under Graham — helped make it possible.
"How we've been received differently is because of the success we've had on the field and how the elite players are obviously ... we have a chair at the table," Graham said. "So that's different."
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ARIZONA STATE
Top 25 Class: Yes
Best in class: Joseph Wicker, DL, Long Beach, California
Best of the rest: QB Brady White, Newhall, California
Late addition: Wicker.
One that got away: Paul Lucas, RB, committed to Arizona State but went to Oregon State.
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