As the excitement builds with just 25 days remaining until the season opener, the spotlight shines brightly on Chase Lucas, a standout player whose contributions on and off the field have left a lasting impact. Hailing from Chandler, Arizona, Lucas was recognized as one of the top high school players in the state and chose to commit to Arizona State University over numerous other offers, including those from prestigious programs like Notre Dame and Nebraska.
After redshirting in his freshman year in 2016, Lucas made a significant impact on the field during his 2017 season, playing as a defensive back. His performance was remarkable, collecting 59 tackles and excelling as a lockdown cornerback. Lucas allowed only 40 catches out of 78 targeted passes, demonstrating his exceptional defensive skills. His impressive stats earned him numerous accolades, including being named a First-Team Freshman All-American and the only freshman to receive recognition on the Pac-12 teams that year.
Lucas’s sophomore year showcased further growth as he began on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, which honors the best defensive players in college football. He maintained a high level of performance, increasing his tackles to 62 and recording three interceptions. Continuing this trajectory, in 2019, he started all 13 games, proving instrumental in strengthening a Sun Devils defense that significantly improved in preventing big plays.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Lucas’s resilience shone through his impressive statistics in a shortened season, which included 15 tackles and phenomenal coverage metrics. Earning awards such as Second-Team All-Pac-12 honors, he demonstrated an exceptional level of performance that solidified his reputation in the conference.
In a delightful turn of events for fans, Lucas announced his return for a fifth season in early 2021. Serving as a team captain, he finished his college career on a high note, recording 34 tackles and earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 honors while notably preventing any touchdowns in coverage during the season. His college journey culminated with his selection by the Detroit Lions in the 7th round of the 2022 NFL Draft, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Currently, Lucas continues to pursue his dreams in the NFL, having recently been part of the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, further elevating his status from talented college athlete to a promising professional player. With a legacy defined by leadership, skill, and perseverance, Chase Lucas exemplifies what it means to be a true hometown hero as the Sun Devils gear up for another exciting season.