ASU, freshman Jaxon Hood a perfect fit

The Arizona State-Arizona Territorial Cup takes on a new meaning in the Hood family.

You could call it, “a house divided.”

That’s because the family boasts two scholar athletes, one from each school.

Jaxon Hood is a freshman defensive tackle for the Sun Devils, while his older brother Tevin transferred from the University of San Diego to join Rich Rodriguez in Tucson. Tevin has been working with the first defense at nose tackle.

So what can we expect when they both take the field November 23 at Arizona Stadium?

“It’s going to be war,” chuckled Jaxon Hood to Brad Cesmat Wednesday on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “It will be twice as intense. We love each other…but I’ll love you after the game. My family, they’re just going to cheer for both of us.”

Family love is something the Hood brothers haven’t always had in their lives. Their biological father, former Cardinals Pro Bowl defensive tackle Eric Swann, hasn’t been in contact with his sons for over a decade.

“I have talked to him once in the past 11 or 12 years,” Jaxon explained to Cesmat. “We went our separate ways. We don’t speak to each other. It’s been a long time.”

With the support of his mother (a standout college athlete, herself) and step-father, Jaxon excelled in the classroom and on the field at Chandler Hamilton High School.

After being recruited by a number of schools like Boston College, Washington, Michigan State, and UofA, Jaxson said choosing ASU wasn’t difficult.

“When I got [to ASU], I fell in love with the coaching staff,” he said. “Growing up, I wrote in my third grade journal I wanted to be an ASU superstar. I always liked ASU. It was just picture perfect.”

It appears first-year head coach Todd Graham and his staff has fallen in love with Jaxon, as well. The 6’0, 305-pound quick-footed run-stuffer will likely start when the Devils host NAU August 30.