Met a few of you Friday night- thanks for being part of the community that Hod's built here.
Because there were about as many football players as there were attendees, I was able to talk to several of them on Friday night.
First- Todd Graham reiterated that ASU has a commitment to Payson and Camp T. There's going to be pressure now from ASU, the fans, and the town of Payson to come up with a resolution to keep this going. Restaurants ordered extra food and staffed up anticipating today's influx that increases the population by 25%- so they'll unfortunately take a big hit. There's no doubt that the benefit to Payson is huge and they'll do whatever they can to help ASU come up with a resolution as they already have with updated turf at Rumsey park. The rest is going to need to fall to donors. I'm with Hod- I don't think this tradition is under threat.
Talked to some boosters, former players, etc about the QB battle. No one is on the same page here. Lots of trust in Graham to make the right decision, and if no one sets themselves apart, the expectation is that it goes to Wilkins.
Talked to freshman Jack Smith because there's been some back and forth as to hiw he'll be used. He said he's for sure a slot receiver. While he looks to have a more slight build than many of the players out here, and he's fairly confident he'll redshirt, he said his advantage as a former QB is that he's almost got 100% of the offense down. He said that part of his responsibilities on the team are going to be holding N'Keal Harry accountable (I guess they're roomates) and making sure he isn't late to meetings. He says the coaches know N'Keal isn't used to a tight ship, and they know Smith won't struggle with disciplinary issues, so they think it could be a good fit. Smith also echoed what you've heard every other QB say about Chip Lindsey- he said the man has a brilliant football mind, and the thing that sets him apart is his ability to convey and teach the info in a way the players can understand. He said that's necessary with how fast paced the offense will be. He said to expect lots of running to the ball and running plays one after the other.
I talked to Chase Lucas- he said it's even more of an eye opening experience than Bryce Perkins told him it would be. On the subject of Bryce Perkins- he said he barely recognizes him as a player from their time at Chandler together. He said if Griswold can make Bryce that big than he wonders what will happen with N'Keal Harry. That's when Harry chimed in and said he's already too heavy because of the way they get fed. He said he'd like to drop a couple pounds.
I talked to Cade Cote, who looks much bigger than he did as an incoming freshman. He said he feels way better about things after having a year under his belt, and that he feels as big as he looks. Another OL that seems to have taken full adavntage of his Summer is Marshal Nathe. He's obviously not 100% healthy- only 9 months off ACL surgery- and will probably obably redshirt, but as ine of the more unheralded players of the 2016 recruiting class, it's encouraging to see him with a D1 size body and build when compared against his teammates.
Some of the other young guys that players praised include Dillon Sterling-Cole (NFL body) and Frank Darby (huge steal from the east coast). This on top of Todd Graham praising Cohl Cabral after Friday's practice.
Because there were about as many football players as there were attendees, I was able to talk to several of them on Friday night.
First- Todd Graham reiterated that ASU has a commitment to Payson and Camp T. There's going to be pressure now from ASU, the fans, and the town of Payson to come up with a resolution to keep this going. Restaurants ordered extra food and staffed up anticipating today's influx that increases the population by 25%- so they'll unfortunately take a big hit. There's no doubt that the benefit to Payson is huge and they'll do whatever they can to help ASU come up with a resolution as they already have with updated turf at Rumsey park. The rest is going to need to fall to donors. I'm with Hod- I don't think this tradition is under threat.
Talked to some boosters, former players, etc about the QB battle. No one is on the same page here. Lots of trust in Graham to make the right decision, and if no one sets themselves apart, the expectation is that it goes to Wilkins.
Talked to freshman Jack Smith because there's been some back and forth as to hiw he'll be used. He said he's for sure a slot receiver. While he looks to have a more slight build than many of the players out here, and he's fairly confident he'll redshirt, he said his advantage as a former QB is that he's almost got 100% of the offense down. He said that part of his responsibilities on the team are going to be holding N'Keal Harry accountable (I guess they're roomates) and making sure he isn't late to meetings. He says the coaches know N'Keal isn't used to a tight ship, and they know Smith won't struggle with disciplinary issues, so they think it could be a good fit. Smith also echoed what you've heard every other QB say about Chip Lindsey- he said the man has a brilliant football mind, and the thing that sets him apart is his ability to convey and teach the info in a way the players can understand. He said that's necessary with how fast paced the offense will be. He said to expect lots of running to the ball and running plays one after the other.
I talked to Chase Lucas- he said it's even more of an eye opening experience than Bryce Perkins told him it would be. On the subject of Bryce Perkins- he said he barely recognizes him as a player from their time at Chandler together. He said if Griswold can make Bryce that big than he wonders what will happen with N'Keal Harry. That's when Harry chimed in and said he's already too heavy because of the way they get fed. He said he'd like to drop a couple pounds.
I talked to Cade Cote, who looks much bigger than he did as an incoming freshman. He said he feels way better about things after having a year under his belt, and that he feels as big as he looks. Another OL that seems to have taken full adavntage of his Summer is Marshal Nathe. He's obviously not 100% healthy- only 9 months off ACL surgery- and will probably obably redshirt, but as ine of the more unheralded players of the 2016 recruiting class, it's encouraging to see him with a D1 size body and build when compared against his teammates.
Some of the other young guys that players praised include Dillon Sterling-Cole (NFL body) and Frank Darby (huge steal from the east coast). This on top of Todd Graham praising Cohl Cabral after Friday's practice.
