One of the bright spots throughout Arizona State’s Week 2 loss to Oklahoma State was undoubtedly wideout Elijhah Badger.

The third-year wideout had four catches for 38 yards in the Sun Devils’ opener against Northern Arizona on Sept. 1, a quiet performance on paper, but certainly an encouraging sign early. Over the weekend, he cemented himself as one of the top playmakers on the offense. He drew nine targets, reeling in six for 91 yards and a touchdown.

“I expect him to compete with any defensive back in the country, that’s how good I think he can be,” wideout coach Bobby Wade said this week, according to Devils Digest’s Cole Topham.

The 6-foot-2 Badger was a scout team player as a freshman in 2020. A year ago, his offensive touches were limited but he made the most of them. He scored on a pair of end-around rushes and finished the year with seven catches for 61 yards and three rushing attempts for 37 yards.

Each of the team’s top four pass-catchers last season have since left the program. Tailback Rachaad White (43 receptions) and tight end Curtis Hodges (20 receptions) are in the NFL. The top two wideouts left as transfers. That opened up plenty of opportunities this offseason for a number of guys to step into bigger roles in the passing game.

Badger has risen to the top after just two games.

Arizona State (1-1) returns home this week to face Eastern Michigan at 8 p.m. PT this Saturday on the Pac-12 Network.