ASU media relations and Todd Graham generously set up a lunch today Graham had with a handful of writers covering the program.
Here's some of what was discussed by Graham:
-- Book on Jaxon Hood isn't closed but he still has personal issues to address and won't be with the team in the spring.
-- Will Earley won't be with the team in the spring and is uncertain after that as he also is dealing with things he needs to take care of.
-- Jalen Harvey will play WR
-- Graham stressed need to improve on special teams and is evaluating everything anew. He will visit with teams including the Patriots, Oklahoma and Auburn as part of process. He said they were 8 of 12 in Pac-12 last year in specials and must get better. This was his No. 1 point of emphasis he kept coming back to through the 80-90 minutes.
-- Leadership is at an all-time high with players pushing players more than ever and no minimum standards issues to deal with.
-- Mike Bercovici will give ASU a different capability in the rhythm passing game and more verticality, things ASU hasn't been able to fully maximizing in their offense at ASU as yet, per Graham.
-- Billy McGehee is going to get first crack at RT backed by Quinn Bailey and if they need to kick out someone it will likely be Christian Westerman because they have more depth and talent inside.
-- Evan Goodman is being counted on to be the LT
-- JoJo Wicker, Stanley Norman, Kareem Orr, Steve Miller and Zach Robertson are freshmen who can play. Graham said he's not ever said that about freshmen OL but he's really high on these two.
-- Gary Chambers was the most improved player through the last year among those returning, with Tashon Smallwood and Demetrius Cherry also in the conversation. Graham said Cherry could be a high level OT draft pick but will probably stay at DL.
-- Jordan Simone was the biggest surprise for Graham last year.
-- Graham raved about Davon Durant as a pass rusher/Devil and wants to be better at only having to rush 4 and 5.
-- Tommy Hudson, Steve Miller and Terrell Chatman are some of the most underrated recruits in the class.
-- Nick Kelly could be the best center in the Pac-12 and an All-American. Had multiple surgeries for things he was playing through last year.
-- Edmond Boateng will play end, not Devil. A.J. Latu will play end, not Devil. Chans Cox will play both but is out of spring ball post-shoulder surgery.
-- Ronald Lewis will stay at corner
-- Tyler Whiley will stay at WR
-- Mo Latu will play nose tackle and remains quite large
-- Solomon Means has gotten a lot better physically this off-season.
-- This will be what he believes his best LB group he's ever coached.
Here's some of what was discussed by Graham:
-- Book on Jaxon Hood isn't closed but he still has personal issues to address and won't be with the team in the spring.
-- Will Earley won't be with the team in the spring and is uncertain after that as he also is dealing with things he needs to take care of.
-- Jalen Harvey will play WR
-- Graham stressed need to improve on special teams and is evaluating everything anew. He will visit with teams including the Patriots, Oklahoma and Auburn as part of process. He said they were 8 of 12 in Pac-12 last year in specials and must get better. This was his No. 1 point of emphasis he kept coming back to through the 80-90 minutes.
-- Leadership is at an all-time high with players pushing players more than ever and no minimum standards issues to deal with.
-- Mike Bercovici will give ASU a different capability in the rhythm passing game and more verticality, things ASU hasn't been able to fully maximizing in their offense at ASU as yet, per Graham.
-- Billy McGehee is going to get first crack at RT backed by Quinn Bailey and if they need to kick out someone it will likely be Christian Westerman because they have more depth and talent inside.
-- Evan Goodman is being counted on to be the LT
-- JoJo Wicker, Stanley Norman, Kareem Orr, Steve Miller and Zach Robertson are freshmen who can play. Graham said he's not ever said that about freshmen OL but he's really high on these two.
-- Gary Chambers was the most improved player through the last year among those returning, with Tashon Smallwood and Demetrius Cherry also in the conversation. Graham said Cherry could be a high level OT draft pick but will probably stay at DL.
-- Jordan Simone was the biggest surprise for Graham last year.
-- Graham raved about Davon Durant as a pass rusher/Devil and wants to be better at only having to rush 4 and 5.
-- Tommy Hudson, Steve Miller and Terrell Chatman are some of the most underrated recruits in the class.
-- Nick Kelly could be the best center in the Pac-12 and an All-American. Had multiple surgeries for things he was playing through last year.
-- Edmond Boateng will play end, not Devil. A.J. Latu will play end, not Devil. Chans Cox will play both but is out of spring ball post-shoulder surgery.
-- Ronald Lewis will stay at corner
-- Tyler Whiley will stay at WR
-- Mo Latu will play nose tackle and remains quite large
-- Solomon Means has gotten a lot better physically this off-season.
-- This will be what he believes his best LB group he's ever coached.
