Defensive back Ro Torrence will be the lone representative for the Sun Devils at the 2024 NFL Draft Combine as he looks to make a statement for himself and move up teams’ draft boards.
Torrence, who transferred to Arizona State before the 2022 season, was a major contributor to the Sun Devil defense.
He totaled 76 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 11 defended passes in his time as a Sun Devil.
Before joining the Sun Devils for the 2022 season, Torrence started his collegiate career at Hutchinson Community College. At HCC, he and his team won the NJCAA National Championship in the 2020-2021 season. He also won Defensive Player of the Year in the NJCAA and earned first-team All-American honors. He then transferred to Auburn in 2021, where he saw little action, before joining Arizona State in 2022.
Torrence went on to break up five more passes in the 2022 season and had a big-time interception in the Territorial Cup game. Torrence only gave up 20 receptions for 225 yards, the lowest total from all corners who played at least 300 snaps across the PAC-12.
Going into the 2023 season, Torrence was looking to build off his 2022 success as well as step into a bigger role for the Sun Devils. First-year head coach Kenny Dillingham challenged Torrence to step up and be a leader for the team.
“He challenged me back in the spring,” Torrence said in an interview with Arizona’s NBC 12. “After spring ball was over, he wanted me to be better at certain things and I just took that challenge on and that’s what I worked on over the summer.”
Torrence embraced his new role with the team and worked hard over the offseason to be a leader of the Sun Devils defense. Torrence wanted to not just lead by example, but also be a vocal leader for the team. In an interview with Arizona Sports, redshirt senior defensive back Jordan Clark’s comments spoke to Torrence’s leadership.
“During summertime conditioning, a lot of guys kind of feel sorry for themselves at times,” Clark said. “And Ro doesn’t allow people to do that. Ro is going to make sure that he gets everything out of you because he wants you to be the best that you can be. So in those settings when things are difficult and there is adversity, that’s when he’s at his best.”
On the field, Torrence’s leadership was evident as he started all 12 games for the Sun Devils this season and again was a major contributor on defense.
In Week 7, Torrence and the rest of Arizona State’s defense held the Washington Huskies, who had the No. 12 total offense in college football, to just 15 points and 288 yards.
The defense caused four turnovers and Torrence picked off Heisman finalist and Maxwell Award winner Michael Penix Jr on Washington’s opening drive.
Torrence finished the 2023 season with 37 tackles, 2 sacks, an interception, and broke up 3 passes. This earned him an invite to the East vs. West Shrine Bowl where he put his versatility as a football player on display. Torrence got the start at corner and had three tackles, but also helped make plays on special teams.
As a jammer on the punt team, Torrence helped Oregon State’s Anthony Gould return a punt late in the third quarter for a touchdown. In addition to his invite to the East vs West Shrine Bowl, Torrence also was invited to the NFL Combine.
Currently, Torrence is projected to be a late day-three draft choice on many people’s mock drafts. However, at the combine, I can see Torrence flying up some teams’ draft boards when he puts his athletic talent on display. Paired with his staggering 6-foot-3 frame, Torrence could be a prospect that teams take a chance on during day two of the draft.
Torrence has all the tools to be starting on Sundays and could be the next great Sun Devil in the NFL.
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