Jack Loder's offenisve report:
The location of Tuesday’s spring practice was just about the only familiar element of an Arizona State football practice. New head coach Kenny Dillingham bounded around both fields of the Kajikawa practice facility, wielding a microphone and constantly barking orders that could be heard across Rural road. If anyone was questioning just how different the energy would be under Dillingham, those questions were answered promptly this morning.
“That’s not good enough!” Dillingham shouted over the loudspeaker, ordering players to return to the team huddle and break to individual drills all over again. “All we’re doing is breaking out of a huddle! That’s it! It’s not even challenging,” he continued after another failed attempt.
For the most part, players responded well. The day one boost led to a high intensity and efficient practice. An almost entirely new coaching staff mirrored Dillingham’s energy for much of the morning as well. Wherever you looked, a position group was being actively coached up. Here’s how this side of the ball looked.
We got our first look at freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada. He’s tall, lanky, and comes with an as advertised rocket arm. In quarterback and receiver drills, he was on the money on multiple out routes, featuring crisp three-step drops and tight spirals that arrive in a hurry. We didn’t get to see him air it out much, but Rashada’s accuracy and precision were evident. Once he spends a full off-season in the ASU strength program, his lengthy build will fill out nicely.
The first team period featured a tempo drill. The offense worked in the hurry up, and looked very clean doing so. Elijhah Badger made himself known as soon as possible, making a leaping grab on the sideline from Trenton Bourguet. Transfer QB Drew Pyne worked in next, finding Badger on a similar route to the opposite side of the field. It’s clear that Badger is the leader of the group by example, if nothing else.
But he does have company. Idaho State transfer receiver Xavier Guillory was perhaps the most impressive offensive player at Tuesday’s practice. Wearing No. 1, he was mostly unstoppable. On one play he gently caught a nice pass from Bourguet, he accelerated and threw up a peace sign. His display was popular among his teammates.
Another one on one highlight came on the next pairing. Dillingham matched up tight end Jalin Conyers with defensive back Jordan Clark. The size mismatch was impossible to miss, but Clark held his own on the route. When it came to the catch point, Conyers elevated and came down with the rock, boxing out Clark in the process. Unsurprisingly, Conyers dished out some chatter immediately following the play.
Later on, in this same one on one arena style drill, Guillory shined again. He accelerated over the middle and hauled in a pass that was just a touch too high from Rashada. By the time he came down with the rock, he already had two full strides on a chasing defender and was off to the races.
Drew Pyne found Jalin Conyers and Messiah Swinson on consecutive routes during the full 11 on 11 period. Conyers made a nice grab on a pass that was a bit behind him, while Swinson received Pyne’s dime in between the numbers. Trenton Bourguet later fired over the middle toward Swinson, but the throw was behind him, which allowed cornerback Ro Torrence to step in and break it up.
Chad Johnson Jr. added a highlight grab, reaching down and fielding a Bennet Meredith pass just above his shoestrings during 11 on 11. Johnson Jr. didn’t have much of a role in 2022, but he could be a bigger factor this upcoming season if he proves to be adept at transitioning to the Dillingham offense.
Wide receiver individual drills featured new activities as well. Rashaad Samples had two lines, with zig-zagging cones set up in front of each. The receivers would take turns bolting from cone to cone, stopping on a dime, and turning to catch a hot pass fired from close range. Samples didn’t take it easy on the group, immediately calling out players when they cut a cone or didn't make a clean catch without using their body.
Right in front of onlooking media, the receivers then set up a tunnel. Coaches fed balls into the new looking Juggs machine, which were then fired through a sea of waving arms about 10 yards to a waiting receiver.
The receiver, whose vision was obscured by the arms and faced the challenge of a high velocity pass at close range, dropped the ball more often than not. Badger and transfer Troy Omeire both starred in this drill.
Badger’s leadership looked like a big improvement as well. This past season, as much as he broke through on the field, he was never exactly a vocal leader. The shy persona that came to campus with him a few years ago seems to have evolved under Dillingham. Badger was shouting orders and encouragement, as well as joking and holding court with the group in between drills.
New tight-ends coach Jason Mohns worked on blocking and route technique with his players in his first collegiate practice. He was seen having a purposeful conversation with Jalin Conyers about his first move off the line of scrimmage between drills.
(this is from Hod) We can only mention the players that were there practicing, but we can mention that QB Daylin McLemore is no longer with the team. If you recall, I mentioned that he was a lock to not continue beyond spring practice as he is getting his degree in May and plans to retire from football.
First team offensive line L-R: Isaia Glass, Danny Valenzuela, Leif Fautanu, Joey Ramos and Max Iheanachor
Badger, Guillory and Melquan Stovall were taking most of the reps at first-team wide receiver. Tevion White and Cam Skattebo were rotating at first-team RB
The location of Tuesday’s spring practice was just about the only familiar element of an Arizona State football practice. New head coach Kenny Dillingham bounded around both fields of the Kajikawa practice facility, wielding a microphone and constantly barking orders that could be heard across Rural road. If anyone was questioning just how different the energy would be under Dillingham, those questions were answered promptly this morning.
“That’s not good enough!” Dillingham shouted over the loudspeaker, ordering players to return to the team huddle and break to individual drills all over again. “All we’re doing is breaking out of a huddle! That’s it! It’s not even challenging,” he continued after another failed attempt.
For the most part, players responded well. The day one boost led to a high intensity and efficient practice. An almost entirely new coaching staff mirrored Dillingham’s energy for much of the morning as well. Wherever you looked, a position group was being actively coached up. Here’s how this side of the ball looked.
We got our first look at freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada. He’s tall, lanky, and comes with an as advertised rocket arm. In quarterback and receiver drills, he was on the money on multiple out routes, featuring crisp three-step drops and tight spirals that arrive in a hurry. We didn’t get to see him air it out much, but Rashada’s accuracy and precision were evident. Once he spends a full off-season in the ASU strength program, his lengthy build will fill out nicely.
The first team period featured a tempo drill. The offense worked in the hurry up, and looked very clean doing so. Elijhah Badger made himself known as soon as possible, making a leaping grab on the sideline from Trenton Bourguet. Transfer QB Drew Pyne worked in next, finding Badger on a similar route to the opposite side of the field. It’s clear that Badger is the leader of the group by example, if nothing else.
But he does have company. Idaho State transfer receiver Xavier Guillory was perhaps the most impressive offensive player at Tuesday’s practice. Wearing No. 1, he was mostly unstoppable. On one play he gently caught a nice pass from Bourguet, he accelerated and threw up a peace sign. His display was popular among his teammates.
Another one on one highlight came on the next pairing. Dillingham matched up tight end Jalin Conyers with defensive back Jordan Clark. The size mismatch was impossible to miss, but Clark held his own on the route. When it came to the catch point, Conyers elevated and came down with the rock, boxing out Clark in the process. Unsurprisingly, Conyers dished out some chatter immediately following the play.
Later on, in this same one on one arena style drill, Guillory shined again. He accelerated over the middle and hauled in a pass that was just a touch too high from Rashada. By the time he came down with the rock, he already had two full strides on a chasing defender and was off to the races.
Drew Pyne found Jalin Conyers and Messiah Swinson on consecutive routes during the full 11 on 11 period. Conyers made a nice grab on a pass that was a bit behind him, while Swinson received Pyne’s dime in between the numbers. Trenton Bourguet later fired over the middle toward Swinson, but the throw was behind him, which allowed cornerback Ro Torrence to step in and break it up.
Chad Johnson Jr. added a highlight grab, reaching down and fielding a Bennet Meredith pass just above his shoestrings during 11 on 11. Johnson Jr. didn’t have much of a role in 2022, but he could be a bigger factor this upcoming season if he proves to be adept at transitioning to the Dillingham offense.
Wide receiver individual drills featured new activities as well. Rashaad Samples had two lines, with zig-zagging cones set up in front of each. The receivers would take turns bolting from cone to cone, stopping on a dime, and turning to catch a hot pass fired from close range. Samples didn’t take it easy on the group, immediately calling out players when they cut a cone or didn't make a clean catch without using their body.
Right in front of onlooking media, the receivers then set up a tunnel. Coaches fed balls into the new looking Juggs machine, which were then fired through a sea of waving arms about 10 yards to a waiting receiver.
The receiver, whose vision was obscured by the arms and faced the challenge of a high velocity pass at close range, dropped the ball more often than not. Badger and transfer Troy Omeire both starred in this drill.
Badger’s leadership looked like a big improvement as well. This past season, as much as he broke through on the field, he was never exactly a vocal leader. The shy persona that came to campus with him a few years ago seems to have evolved under Dillingham. Badger was shouting orders and encouragement, as well as joking and holding court with the group in between drills.
New tight-ends coach Jason Mohns worked on blocking and route technique with his players in his first collegiate practice. He was seen having a purposeful conversation with Jalin Conyers about his first move off the line of scrimmage between drills.
(this is from Hod) We can only mention the players that were there practicing, but we can mention that QB Daylin McLemore is no longer with the team. If you recall, I mentioned that he was a lock to not continue beyond spring practice as he is getting his degree in May and plans to retire from football.
First team offensive line L-R: Isaia Glass, Danny Valenzuela, Leif Fautanu, Joey Ramos and Max Iheanachor
Badger, Guillory and Melquan Stovall were taking most of the reps at first-team wide receiver. Tevion White and Cam Skattebo were rotating at first-team RB
