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A notable return, a marquee hire, and position battles heating up. Week 3 of ASU's spring practice held a lot. After @Joe Healey & I take a run down of the latest news, hear from new ASU wide receivers coach and Super Bowl XL MVP Hines Ward (11:18). Then after a chat with ASU's newest 2025 commit Xavier Skowron (35:39), we recap the latest moves and developments from spring practices. We also hear from Sun Devil WR Coben Bourguet (56:14), cornerback Laterrance Welch (1:04:41), and defensive end Ramar Williams (1:08:18).

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As you can imagine with 16 teams this will be a two-day event in Las Vegas

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Caleb with today's report

Week four of spring practice began today with another warm-weather session. This was obviously the first practice where new wide receivers coach Hines Ward instructed his group. Head coach Kenny Dillingham called today's practice a back-and-forth affair in which both the offense and defense had their moments, which is exactly what you want to see from your typical spring practice.



Offensive Two-Deep



First Team



LT Colby Garvin



LG Ben Coleman



C Sean Na’a



RG Makua Pule



RT Josh Atkins



QB Trenton Bourguet



RB Raleek Brown/Kyson Brown



SLOT Melquan Stovall



WR Jake Smith



WR Derek Eusebio



TE Bryce Pierre





Second Team:



LT Emmit Bohle



LG Kyle Scott



C Leif Fautanu



RG Ise Matautia



RT Jalen Klemm



QB Sam Leavitt



RB Cam Skattebo/George Hart III



SLOT Kaleb Black



WR Jordyn Tyson



WR Korbin Hendrix



TE Markeston Douglas




Defensive Two-Deep



First Team



DE Elijah O’Neal



DT CJ Fite



DT Jeffrey Clark



DE Clayton Smith



LB Keyshawn Elliott



LB Zyrus Fiaseu



Nickel Macen Williams



CB Ed Woods



CB Javan Robinson



Safety Shamari Simmons



Safety Xavion Alford



Second Team



DE Prince Dorbah



DT JP Deeter



DT Blazen Lono-Wong



DE Justin Wodtly



LB Jordan Crook



LB Martell Hughes



Nickel Cole Martin



CB Rodney Bimage



CB Latterance Welch



Safety Myles Rowser



Safety Montana Warren



During stretch lines this morning, with players in full pads, all eyes were on Ward, who calmly watched the stretches alongside football Chief of Staff Matt Butterfield, whose previous relationship with Ward helped bring ASU's new wide receivers coach into the fold. Once stretches ended, it was time to see Ward in action for the first time in individuals.



As the team broke into individual drills, the first order of business for Ward and the receivers was run blocking, the prominent calling card of Ward during his 14-year career with the Steelers. His players were squaring up on padded shields and driving the receivers.



The individual portion did not last long as the team came together for a two-minute drill variation of a team segment. The first group, led by Trenton Bourguet, was forced by the defense to dump the ball off short multiple times but kept the ball moving. The Bourguet to Douglas and Raleek Brown connections eventually ran out as the defense stalled the drive once it got close to the red zone.



It was a similar story for the second group. Leavitt found Korbin Hendrix and Kaleb Black for a first down before a couple of miscues brought up fourth and long. Leavitt scrambled for a first, then found Jordyn Tyson for another first before that drive stalled again as the defense played tough and forced incompletions.



As that period ended, the team got into a longer individual period. All position groups on both sides of the ball went into their usual groups with their position coaches.



Moving back to Ward on his first day, Ward had receivers cutting and catching tennis balls. Ward said, “If you can catch this tennis ball, you can catch anything.” Anytime a receiver dropped a tennis ball it was ten pushups on the spot as the group moved over to run routes on air.



With the quarterbacks, overall, the group looked good, as they put balls in good spots all day. Jaden Rashada continues to work back from injury, including taking third-team reps today instead of Navi Bruzon.



Nonetheless, Ward especially kept a tally of what was going on. Balls were getting caught until there was a short period where four straight balls were dropped. Ward exclaimed, saying, “Too many balls on the ground!” On a quick note, with the receivers, Xavier Guillory and Elijhah Badger remain involved in individual portions but were not seen in 11v11.



The team came together for another short team period, during which the defense dominated this portion. The first group did not get anything going and besides a completion to Pierre in the second group, J.P. Deeter and Tate Romney had some serious pressure to close the door on the second group.



Special teams followed. During the punt portion, Race Mahlum punted while a group featuring Raleek Brown, Jake Smith, Melquan Stovall, and Tyson returned. Once the team got to the field goal, Ian Hershey was two for two from 45 yards while Carston Kieffer was one for two.



During the wide receivers versus defensive back portion, some defensive backs had some good highlights. Rodney Bimage Jr. and Keontez Bradley went back-to-back on defensive wins. Jack Bal also had a nice rep. On the other hand, Melquan Stovall continued his dominance, scoring multiple times, while other players like Hendrix and Max Ware continued to have great camps, both scoring.



When it came to seven on seven, it was again very back and forth. The defense collectively kept almost everything in front of them, forcing shorter throws. That said, Bourguet found Ware and Stovall for second-level completions that would have been first downs. The same goes for Rashada finding Guillory once for a nice gain and Leavitt having the prettiest throw of the day finding Guillory downfield for a nice gain.



This is not to say the defense did not ever respond. Latterance Welch had beautiful coverage on Hendrix taking a deep ball away. Shortly after, Xavion Alford had a PBU on a ball intended for Douglas. Kenny Dillingham said today's practice was back and forth, and so it was.



In the last team segment of the day, the offense failed to get the ball going on the ground. Prince Dorbah and Elijah O'Neal added sacks in the process. Rashada’s receiver dropped the ball, but it was intercepted by Zyrus Fiaseu, who got the defense fired up.



Leavitt responded with the play of the day. Leavitt rolled left and sailed a ball around 50 yards as Tyson jumped and came down with the ball in the endzone. Tyson's helmet was thrown to the ground in excitement, something Ward said he didn’t approve of at all, as the offense got the momentum back.



Bourguet started another drive that was taken into the red zone. It was here that Bourguet connected with Stovall for a touchdown as the tides changed again. That did not last long, as Leavitt, when he came back in, was picked by Romney, and returned for a pick-six. The whole defense celebrated, and the horn sounded, marking the end of practice. Quite the start to the week for the Sun Devils.



Dillingham said that offensive lineman Max Iheanachor would miss the rest of spring due to a shoulder injury but is expected to be ready for August’s fall camp. Running back Cam Skattebo had to leave practice due to injury; Dillingham said that he didn’t have a status update on him yet. Wide receiver Troy Omeire and running back DeCarlos Brooks were not observed at practice.

Our analysis piece provides a snapshot of each position just past the spring practice's midpoint and evaluating what positions ASU may seeks to add players at from the transfer portal, which opened up today

As a future Big 12 foe this is note worthy

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This report makes it sound as if it could be close to wrapping up (I know...famous last words), indicating that Antonio Pierce will not be part of ASU's negotiated resolution with the NCAA, and that Herm Edwards will have a show clause. I know he's never coaching again, but as toothless as that penalty is, it still had to be handed down.

BREAKING: As we reported in the Huddle earlier this week, Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward is set to be hired as ASU's WR's coach. Contract details have yet to be finalized but barring unforeseen circumstances, this appears to be the hire for ASU

This was told to me off the record a few days ago, but the news is out there: the senior defensive lineman who has missed the last couple of practices suffered an ACL tear during last Tuesday's spring practice and will also miss fall camp but will have a chance to possibly suit up midseason or later. Since he's a sixth-year player, it is hard to say if he won't play later this year, will he ever play again for the team or not. In theory, could ask for an NCAA waiver to suit up in 2025, but it's unclear if he would take that route.

While Cooper is someone who could play inside and outside, he was expected to line up at the defensive end. As a reserve, he was mainly battling defensive linemen such as Elijah O'Neal and Cincinnati transfer Justin Wodtly for snaps. His injury could help the depth chart niche for Purdue transfer Roman Pitre, Gharin Stansbury, and maybe even true freshman Ramar Williams, who has been one of the more pleasant surprises of spring.

Caleb with the offense and myself with the defense



Saturday practice was the first of Spring ball, moved to the evening to adjust to the busy Tempe schedule hosting Pat’s Run. Under the lights at the Kajikawa Practice Facility, the team saw two extensive 11v11 periods broken up by one special teams period in front of fans. Yet, it was a shorter scrimmage than the one a week ago today.



Offensive Two-Deep



First Team



LT Josh Atkins

LG Ise Matautia

C Sean Na’a

RG Kyle Scott

RT Jalen Klemm

QB Trenton Bourguet

RB Raleek Brown/Cam Skattebo

SLOT Melquan Stovall

WR Jake Smith

WR Derek Eusebio

TE Markeston Douglas



Second Team



LT Emmit Bohle

LG Ben Coleman

C Leif Fautanu

RG Makua Pule

RT Max Iheanachor

QB Sam Leavitt

RB Kyson Brown/George Hart III

SLOT Kaleb Black

WR Jordyn Tyson

WR Korbin Hendrix

TE Bryce Pierre





As the team started practice as media and fans walked in, the offense quickly dispersed into individual groups as a warm-up for the ensuing scrimmage-like period. Running backs worked on footwork over bags, offensive linemen blocked in groups of three, and quarterbacks, receivers, and tight ends ran routes on air in preparation.



As the team came together on the near field, Trenton Bourguet led the first group out. Unfortunately for the offense, the first drive would be telling of the defensive discipline coming to later drives. Two Cam Skattebo runs, and an incompletion led to a three-and-out. The defense trying to set the tone after a subpar practice on Thursday.



Sam Leavitt led the second team out with similar results to the first. Leavitt threw a ball to Kaleb Black, which was complete, but eventually could not build off of it to find a first down. Three-and-out. This was then followed by a three-and-out by a third group led by freshman quarterback Navi Bruzone.



The first group came back in, and things seemed to go from bad to worse. Colby Garvin was replaced by Jalen Klemm for the remainder of practice. Josh Atkins committed a false start and was replaced by Emmit Bohle on the drive, but after a completion to Korbin Hendrix, it was another three-and-out.



It was not until the fifth offensive drive the second group was bailed out on third down by a defensive offside, which led to a Skattebo run for a first down. The first of practice to that point. A short completion to Jordyn Tyson and a Leavitt scramble led to a first before a completion to Black led to the third first down of the drive. Tyson caught a “prayer” ball on third down to extend the drive, setting up a 15-yard Skattebo touchdown run. This ended in a short scuffle between some players, arguing about the allowed physicality level of the practice.



The third group stalled again, which led the first group to back out with a different quarterback. Jaden Rashada took his first snaps in 11v11 team portions after Kenny Dillingham assured the media he would not participate in such portions through Spring. Rashada did not do much as the drive ended quickly, and the second group did not find success after that either.



After a special teams intermission, Rashada came back out with the first group. After a first-down completion to Melquan Stovall, the drive stalled after a Jake Smith drop and George Hart III getting hit hard on third down.



It was then that Leavitt came back out to the field and found Tyson over the middle for a 60-yard gain. Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown combined in the backfield to make it first and goal. Leavitt then rolled out and found Tyson again for a touchdown, the group's second of the day.



The team transitioned into a red-zone style offense which saw the first group with Bourguet at the helm fail to score. It was the second group again that got off to a rocky start with a holding call. On third down, though, Leavitt gave a second-level ball in the corner of the endzone for Tyson, connecting yet again for another touchdown.



A short special teams period saw both Carston Kieffer and Ian Hershey kick from 45 yards at both hashes. Kieffer was 2-2, while Hershey was 0-2. Kieffer continuing to stay consistent before other kickers arrive in the fall.



At the end of practice, the first team behind Bourguet got one more shot. Bourguet found Stovall for a first down. This set up a Kyson Brown catch out of the backfield as he pounded through three tackles at the goal line for a touchdown that had the offense fired up.



The second group again ended on a high note as the running backs got the ball down to the half-yard line. Raleek Brown tried to pound it in but was stopped. The offense decided to go for it on fourth down and Leavitt used his legs on a rollout to get in to end practice. A better end to a slow start for the offense today.



A note for post-practice: newly hired wide receivers coach Hines Ward collected the receivers and talked to them, inheriting them right away. Ward was at practice watching and wasted no time trying to get involved. He will be coaching his group on the field next week, although it is unclear whether it will be on Tuesday or Thursday.



Defensive Two-Deep



First Team



DE Elijah O’Neal

DT CJ Fite

DT Jeffrey Clark

DE Clayton Smith

LB Keyshawn Elliott

LB Zyrus Fiaseu

Nickel Macen Williams

CB Ed Woods

CB Javan Robinson

Safety Shamari Simmons

Safety Xavion Alford



Second Team



DE Prince Dorbah

DT JP Deeter

DT Blazen Lono-Wong

DE Justin Wodtly

LB Jordan Crook

LB Martell Hughes

Nickel Cole Martin

CB Rodney Bimage

CB Latterance Welch

Safety Myles Rowser

Safety Montana Warren





The defense definitely had its way in the first handful of series during the scrimmage.



Great push up front disrupted the quarterbacks from getting comfortable in the pocket as well as halting the running game time after time. Prince Dorbah and Justin Wodtly stood out in the pass rush department. Defensive backs did just okay, and ironically, when they did not cover as well, the wide receivers, more often than not, dropped passes that could have moved the chains and then some. Perhaps the absence of Troy Omiere had a bigger impact than expected when it came to the collective performance of his teammates.



Xavion Alford had a near interception thrown by Trenton Bourguet, as well as a pass breakup, as did Tony-Luis Nkuba. Martell Hughes came close to notching an interception. I thought Chris Johnson had a few reps where he displayed good past coverage skills, forcing incompletions, but he also showed his lack of experience by getting called for pass interference on two occasions. Latterance Welch in coverage prevented a Jake Smith touchdown. Keith Abney II did a great job sniffing out a screen pass. Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo admitted that the quarterbacks collectively did struggle for the most part in the scrimmage but needless to say that the defense definitely had a hand in that caliber of performance.



But as a scrimmage progressed, I don't know if the defense was tiring or what, but suddenly, the quarterbacks had more time to operate in the pocket, and as Caleb mentioned, it became the Jordyn Tyson show. It's impossible to overstate how much Tyson has stood out these past two weeks. Can Skattebo took a while to get going but definitely did some damage on the ground in the last few series. I thought Kyson Brown really flexed his muscles on a few runs, and on one of them, scoring a short touchdown when he had no fewer than three defenders trying to stop him on the goal line. Raleek Brown flashed a bit, too, towards the end of scrimmage.



As Caleb mentioned, there was a special teams intermission, if you will, in the middle of the scrimmage, during which they worked on gunners getting to the punt returner.



The punt returners were Jordyn Tyson, Melquan Stovall, Jake Smith, and Raleek Brown.



The gunners were Macen WIlliams, Cole Martin, Clayton Smith, Kamari Wilson, and Roman Pitre.





ASU President Michael Crow, Interim Athletic Director Jim Rund, and former players Jaelen Strong and Kalen Ballgae attended practice. Sun Devil great Jake Plummer addressed the team during practice.

Recruiting analyst Chilly talked to some of the recruits who were in attendance at last Saturday's game and shared their impressions of their experience

Mornin Mates...

Today's Topic = The Sun Devil Limbo Dance

The football team has had back to back 3-9 seasons, good for 10th place in the PAC this past season, with only two conference wins...

The basketball team went 14-18 and 8-12, which was good for a 10th place conference finish this past season...

The baseball team, after its win last night against the Utes, is 16-19 and 7-10, good for 9th place in the 11 team conference standings...

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO, DEVILS..??

The administrative goal has been to have "competitive traction" in its Big 3 sports but even that is up for grabs these days in those high profile sports...

But, right now, in our revenue generating sports, we are having a lot more "agony" associated with defeat, than the "thrill" of victory, associated with winning...

Corky Simpson, former Tucson newspaper sports-writer, who now writes a column for the local Geezerville rag down here, wrote an article this weekend entitled "Enjoy the Agony"...

He points out that critics of die-hard sports fans say these fans are looking forward to an escape from everyday life that lacks whatever they are missing from it on a daily basis...

They might be suffering from the phenomenon of "dis-inhibition" or, as rabid sports fans, taking comfort in agony, stress, torture and torment that goes along with watching championship athletic competition like what happens during March Madness, etc...

It all boils down to this per Corky..."Agony in sports can be fun...along with the stress and torment and spilled beer and popcorn" associated with it...

And, I might add, the agony can lead to an assortment of vulgar voice bombs (VVB's) during these events, whether at the event itself or in one's entertainment room watching it on TV...

Aside from our Sun Devil swimming and diving team that just won a national championship, none of our Big 3 sports are competing at that kind of level, but we still dither over those sports, all of the time, whether they are competing for last or first place, right..??

So, are any of you enjoying the agony and torture related to what we are doing in our Big Three Sun Devil sports these days..??

Just as importantly, have we yet to reach the bottom in each of our Big Three sports..??

Football seems to be improving under Dilly and his staff but we won't know until next season whether this is true or not...

Basketball seems to be mired in an unenviable position under a coach who might be tagged a "dead-man walking" so things could get worse there, IMHO...

Baseball still has a chance to avoid a losing season but doesn't have much margin for error at this point...

Crow still hasn't named an AD and the NCAA still hasn't come down with their Notice of Allegations against our football program, yet, either...

Add it all up and we have a lot to stress and agonize over before summer arrives...

So, do you have enough beer, brats, chips, and dips (etc) on hand to continue to "enjoy the agony" for the rest of this Sun Devil sports season..??

G'day Mates and Go Devils!!!

“I wasn’t disappointed with the approach, but obviously disappointed in the results.” Once again, struggles at the plate doom the Sun Devils in an 11-5 Sunday loss to Utah

“There is no doubt in my mind that he's going to challenge those guys to get the best out of them every single day." Formidable playing accolades aside, it was Hines Ward's character that led Kenny Dillingham to hire him as ASU's new WR's coach

Would this even work?

The player signs a 4—or 5-year contract and starts out getting paid, say, 200K a year, which increases 50% a year for every year they are there. Say that 60% of the money they get a year is put in an escrow account that they can't touch until they complete the contract. At that point, they get 100% of everything in escrow. If they leave for another school, they lose the money in the escrow account. If they get cut or asked to move on, they would everything they have put away up until that point. Is this a feasible idea?