LB Straker finds way with team

JONESBORO -- A little more than a week before the start of fall camp, Melique Straker made his first visit to Arkansas State. He hadn't played a football game in nearly two years -- Straker was on Carleton (Canada) College's roster for the 2019-20 season, but the Ravens didn't play last fall because of covid-19.

By the end of a private workout with Coach Butch Jones and linebackers coach Jon Shalala, the Red Wolves were all but ready to add Straker to the roster, and after they watched film, ASU offered the Brampton, Ontario, native.

Straker broke down crying.

The sophomore probably wasn't in tears Saturday after logging his first six NCAA tackles at Washington, only Straker's second game…