It's not so much The Fridge 2.0, but The Fridge times two in the Pac-12, as Arizona State and UCLA could each give their defensive stars -- Sun Devils defensive tackle Will Sutton and Bruins outside linebacker Anthony Barr -- looks on offense this season.
The Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year after posting 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss last season, Sutton practiced at fullback over the weekend, the Arizona Republic reported. Considering the nearly 300-pound senior's penchant for disruptive plays and quick feet, the move echoes defensive tackle William "The Refrigerator" Perry's part-time role on offense during the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl-winning season in 1985.
"We're going to play him at fullback on some short-yardage (situations) and on some Power I sets," Arizona State head coach Todd Graham said of Sutton. "He's pretty powerful."
Barr's deployment, as noted by the Los Angeles Times, is a little more natural. A top recruit coming out of high school with an avowed desire to play running back, Barr was an H-back during his first two seasons at UCLA, but was used sparingly. Barr carried the ball 15 times for 54 yards and one touchdown and caught 12 passes for 82 yards and one touchdown before being moved to defense last season by head coach Jim Mora, with incredible and immediate returns.
The idea of using defensive standouts on the other side of the ball isn't new for Mora and offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone. Defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a four-yard touchdown against California last season after lining up at fullback.
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