Redshirt junior receiver Jaelen Strong (center) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. The Sun Devils beat the Cardinal, 26-10. (Photo by Ben Moffat)
In just two years, redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong has emerged from junior college transfer to ASU legend, leaving behind a trail of excellent highlights as he enters this spring's NFL draft.
As he gets set to play his final game in the maroon and gold on Saturday, it's time to look back at the top 10 plays that No. 21 has had in Tempe:
10. Strong skies for the back shoulder against New Mexico
It didn't take long for Strong to prove his 2013 season wasn't a fluke, as he jumped into double coverage and caught this Taylor Kelly pass on his back shoulder to extend ASU's lead in its win over New Mexico.
9. No. 21 jumps over competition in 2014 opener
Redshirt junior wide receiver Jaelen Strong makes a leaping catch over Weber State cornerback Cordero Dixon. ASU leads 31-0 at halftime. (Photo by Sean Logan)
Strong made a bit of a habit of snatching passes in between defenders, hauling in this pass from redshirt senior quarterback Taylor Kelly in ASU's 2014 opener for one of ten catches on the night against Weber State.
8. Jaelen leaps to haul in a score against Stanford
GIF by Benjamin Margiott
This wasn't the most gaudy of Strong's grabs, but the leap and grab while twisting in mid-air certainly helped redshirt junior quarterback Mike Bercovici on this touchdown. After losing twice to Stanford in 2013, Strong and Bercovici helped the Sun Devils drub the Cardinal 26-10.
7. Strong is gone in his return to Los Angeles
After playing his junior college ball at nearby Pierce College, Strong returned to southern California with a vengeance in what was probably his finest game as a Sun Devil. This grab is just one of many fine plays Strong made all afternoon, running perfectly under Bercovici's pass and going the rest of the way untouched as ASU upset the Trojans.
6. Welcome to Tempe, Jaelen Strong.
It didn't take long for Jaelen Strong to introduce himself to Sun Devil fans, as he makes his first touchdown grab look easy (0:28 on the video) despite being interfered with as ASU rolled to a 55-0 victory over Sacramento State.
5. Strong, ASU run away with the Territorial Cup
ASU then-redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) fends off Arizona then-sophomore safety William Parks (11) during Arizona's 58-21 loss at Sun Devil Stadium on Nov. 30, 2013. (Photo courtesy of Tyler Baker, The Daily Wildcat)
Strong shined brightest in ASU's annual Territorial Cup matchup against UA, as he took in a deep pass from Kelly and outran the Wildcats to put away a 58-21 Territorial Cup victory.
4. Jaelen beats the Wildcats one-handed
In 2014's Territorial Cup Strong again came to the forefront. After appearing to injure his right shoulder just two plays before, the redshirt junior stretched out to grab Kelly's pass with just his left hand, snaring it in to get ASU back in the game. The Sun Devils fell 42-35.
3. Kelly. Strong. Back shoulder. Pac-12 South title.
Heading into 2013's matchup against UCLA, ASU needed just a win over the Bruins to win its first Pac-12 South title. As the first half was ending (0:16 on the video), Kelly found Strong on his back shoulder. He dove across the goal line to extend ASU's lead. The Sun Devils would win the game (and the Pac-12 South title) 38-33.
2. Jaelen Strong one-hands the Fighting Irish
GIF by Benjamin Margiott
In what was arguably 2014's signature win, Strong came up with a signature grab. The wide receiver roamed towards the pylon as Kelly rolled to his right, then reeled in the pass with just one hand to give ASU the early 10-3 lead. ASU would win over then-No. 10 Notre Dame 55-31.
1. The #JaelMary
GIF by Benjamin Margiott
Is there any better moment in ASU football under Todd Graham? I don't think so. A late Hail Mary to complete the comeback to upset USC on the road with a backup quarterback? Fittingly, it was Strong who high-pointed the football and snared it at the goal line, giving ASU a remarkable 38-34 win.
Reach the assistant sports editor at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter
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