Arizona State LB James Djonkam is not messing around going into fall camp and the 2023 season.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Djonkam recorded 15 tackles (two for loss) in 10 games played in 2022 for the 3-9 Sun Devils. He was primarily a special teams player, as he had 157 special teams snaps, accumulating three tackles and a blocked extra point.
The now 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior said that this year’s team has more than a chip on their shoulder.
“We come together really great,” Djonkam said, “because it’s more of a boulder than a chip because (after last) year and (with us) projected to win about three to four games, it’s such an understatement. But it’s okay because low expectations, but we have high standards. So that’s one thing that we’re really excited about because we’re going to show a lot, especially in this conference.”
Djonkam came over to the Sun Devils after one season at Independence Community College (Kansas), where he had 64 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.
With a whole new coaching staff on the defensive side and over 50 newcomers, Djonkam is ready for the season to start.
“One thing I’m excited about is really just going out there having fun with my teammates because during this offseason, we all came together,” Djonkam said. “We’re more of a family than a team now, I consider these boys my brothers at this point. I can really go out there and fight with them, come out victorious and after the games have a good time.”
Djonkam said he is focusing on becoming more of a leader and lifting up his teammates, especially the younger players. He has big expectations for himself and the team.
“My personal goal is to become an All-Pac-12 linebacker. And as a team, we’re going to win the conference without a doubt.”
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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @Brendan_Mau
