Hey everyone, Arizona State football went through their fourth spring practice today. Here are our notes and observations from the two-hour session:
LOCATION: Practice Fields -- outdoors
ATTIRE: Full Pads (for the first time this Spring)
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Full two hours
Green non-contact jerseys: CB Jack Jones
Personnel Notes:
-- As Hod mentioned in another thread, linebacker Merlin Robertson was not at practice today. His dad who sadly was just at practice the other day has unexpectedly passed away at his home yesterday. So Robertson obviously not at today's practice and I would expect him to be out a good couple weeks keeping in mind that spring practice takes place in a couple weeks. I'm not aware of a timetable for his return.
-- Darien Butler and Willie Harts were both at practice but were in the bubble recovering from injuries. Both Harts and Butler practiced on Tuesday and we have yet to learn what they're dealing with.
- Safety Cam Phillips was not spotted at practice for the fourth straight day. When asked about it Thursday, co-defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce said Phillips "working on school." Interpret that as you will.
- Running back Demetrious Flowers was back at practice Saturday after missing the first three practices. Sorry for assuming the portal, Herm Edwards gave a vauge and odd response when asked about it Tuesday.
-- Wide receiver Frank Darby looked to have sustained a lower extremity injury during Thursday's 11-on-11 period. Today, he was on the sideline with a boot on his left foot. The injury is a moderate calf strain and Darby is expected to return before spring practices end in late March.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jayden Daniels
RB: DeaMonte Trayanum
WR: Geordon Porter, Ricky Pearsall, Brandon Pierce
TE: Curtis Hodges
OL: LT Kellen Diesch, LG Jarrett Bell, C Ben Scott, RG Dohnovan West, RT LaDarius Henderson
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Trenton Borguet/Ethan Long
RB: A.J. Carter Daniyel Ngata/Demetrious Flowers
WR: Andre Johnson, Jordan Kerley, Tannor Park, Angel Ruiz
TE: Nolan Matthews
OL: LT Spencer Lovell, LG Ben Bray, C Cody Shear, RG Roman DeWys, RT Ralph Frias
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Shannon Forman, Jermayne Lole, D.J. Davidson, Michael Matus
LB: Kyle Soelle, Elijah Juarez -- Fritzny Niclasse
CB: Chase Lucas, Kejuan Markham, Jordan Clark (Nickel) -- (Jack Jones would have been the first-team cornerback instead of Markham but, since it was full pads and he's in a green jersey, he sat out)
S: Aashari Crosswell, Evan Fields
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Amiri Johnson, Stephon Wright, TJ Pesafea, Stanley Lambert
LB: Caleb McCullough, Jordan Banks
CB: Timarcus Davis, Macen Williams, T Lee (Nickel)
S: KJ Jarrell, Connor Soelle
OFFENSIVE NOTES:
-- During the second-to-last scrimmaging series for the first team, a scuffle broke out between linemen on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. It was unclear who specifically was in the thick of it or how it got started because they were running plays on the far end of the field, going towards the end zone opposite of where media and fans were gathered. There wasn't any serious fighting, that much was clear. Just some extensive jersey-grabbing, shoving and jawing after the play was over, prompting a practice official to even throw his flag.
-- I know most of you weren't skeptical, but, man, DeaMonte Traynum looks really, really good. Saturday was the first time we got to see his massive frame compete with pads on and he busted run after run. The most impressive part is he's able to dart between the tackles because he's so big and strong -- but he's fast enough and versatile enough to get around the edge and even catch passes out of the backfield.
-- True freshman running back Daniyel Ngata left one of the position drills early in practice to get worked on in the training tent. It seemed like it was something to do with one of his ankles, or his leg, but he returned to scrimmaging later in practice and appeared to be fine. Can only assume it was a minor bump or bruise.
--
-- The offensive linemen began their Saturday morning practice working on staying low and taking an explosive step off the ball. Ladarius Henderson and Kellen Diesch turned in some of the best reps of the group, keeping their centers of gravity low and continuing to drive their feet all the way through the block. The group really emphasized run blocking throughout the practice, specifically downhill zone runs and pulling guard actions. Dohnovan West was the outlier of the two guards with his explosive lateral step to get moving, then sticking to the hip of the B gap he was pulling through
--
DEFENSIVE NOTES:
-- It is already evident the ASU defense is having some trouble dissecting what Zak Hill is drawing up on offense. For every play, there seems to be 2-3 different shifts and motions. In other words, eye candy that can trip up defenders. The one big positive that I think will come of it, regardless of if they face it in the real season, is communication. Safeties and cornerbacks are playing in the box, dopping back, doing all this different stuff based upon how the offense motions. That means the communication has to be upped between everyone. When a safety comes into the box, he's now a LB and the LBs need to talk to him and fill him in a snap second.
-- It could just be a thing to try out during the spring, but Jermayne Lole has been playing inside quite often. Lole, who was ASU's best pass rusher from the outside last season, doesn't exactly have the ideal size to come off the edge -- especially compared to Stanley Lambert (when he gains some weight) or Amiri Johnson. Could be a way to maxamize the DL talent regardless of position.
-- During an 11-on-11 play, Jayden Daniels was rolling to his left and just after the whistle blew, he threw a pass across his body that was picked off by Jordan Clark. Don't think it was a legit INT but, nonetheless, Daniels' mom and CB Jack Jones were jokingly jawing at each other on the sideline about whether it was a pick or not.
OTHER NOTES:
-- PUNT Returners:
Jack Jones
Brandon Pierce
Nick Johnson
Daniyel Ngata
T Lee
Punter -- Kevin Macias
-- Among the notable attendees of Saturday's practice was former ASU running back Kalen Ballage, Athletic Director Ray Anderson and these three guys -- each of them are finishing their final semester at their respective high schools and will arrive on campus this summer.
QUOTES:
-- During the period where every defensive unit rotates to a station run by one of the defensive coaches, DL coach Robert Rodriguez was trying to light a fire in the defensive backs: “Get a reputation right now that you’ll look forward to at the next level," he told them.
-- "That's you Nolan! Same damn thing that happened in the drill. Block the guy!" offensive line coach Dave Christensen said, calling out rising sophomore tight end Nolan Matthews for what was apparently a lackluster blocking effort on the inside run drill.
-- "You got to get so damn good at this that you work on it in the summertime. You got to take pride in that s---," defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez after explaining detailed techniques to the position group.
PART 1/2 ...
LOCATION: Practice Fields -- outdoors
ATTIRE: Full Pads (for the first time this Spring)
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Full two hours
Green non-contact jerseys: CB Jack Jones
Personnel Notes:
-- As Hod mentioned in another thread, linebacker Merlin Robertson was not at practice today. His dad who sadly was just at practice the other day has unexpectedly passed away at his home yesterday. So Robertson obviously not at today's practice and I would expect him to be out a good couple weeks keeping in mind that spring practice takes place in a couple weeks. I'm not aware of a timetable for his return.
-- Darien Butler and Willie Harts were both at practice but were in the bubble recovering from injuries. Both Harts and Butler practiced on Tuesday and we have yet to learn what they're dealing with.
- Safety Cam Phillips was not spotted at practice for the fourth straight day. When asked about it Thursday, co-defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce said Phillips "working on school." Interpret that as you will.
- Running back Demetrious Flowers was back at practice Saturday after missing the first three practices. Sorry for assuming the portal, Herm Edwards gave a vauge and odd response when asked about it Tuesday.
-- Wide receiver Frank Darby looked to have sustained a lower extremity injury during Thursday's 11-on-11 period. Today, he was on the sideline with a boot on his left foot. The injury is a moderate calf strain and Darby is expected to return before spring practices end in late March.
FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Jayden Daniels
RB: DeaMonte Trayanum
WR: Geordon Porter, Ricky Pearsall, Brandon Pierce
TE: Curtis Hodges
OL: LT Kellen Diesch, LG Jarrett Bell, C Ben Scott, RG Dohnovan West, RT LaDarius Henderson
SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Trenton Borguet/Ethan Long
RB: A.J. Carter Daniyel Ngata/Demetrious Flowers
WR: Andre Johnson, Jordan Kerley, Tannor Park, Angel Ruiz
TE: Nolan Matthews
OL: LT Spencer Lovell, LG Ben Bray, C Cody Shear, RG Roman DeWys, RT Ralph Frias
FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Shannon Forman, Jermayne Lole, D.J. Davidson, Michael Matus
LB: Kyle Soelle, Elijah Juarez -- Fritzny Niclasse
CB: Chase Lucas, Kejuan Markham, Jordan Clark (Nickel) -- (Jack Jones would have been the first-team cornerback instead of Markham but, since it was full pads and he's in a green jersey, he sat out)
S: Aashari Crosswell, Evan Fields
SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Amiri Johnson, Stephon Wright, TJ Pesafea, Stanley Lambert
LB: Caleb McCullough, Jordan Banks
CB: Timarcus Davis, Macen Williams, T Lee (Nickel)
S: KJ Jarrell, Connor Soelle
OFFENSIVE NOTES:
-- During the second-to-last scrimmaging series for the first team, a scuffle broke out between linemen on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. It was unclear who specifically was in the thick of it or how it got started because they were running plays on the far end of the field, going towards the end zone opposite of where media and fans were gathered. There wasn't any serious fighting, that much was clear. Just some extensive jersey-grabbing, shoving and jawing after the play was over, prompting a practice official to even throw his flag.
-- I know most of you weren't skeptical, but, man, DeaMonte Traynum looks really, really good. Saturday was the first time we got to see his massive frame compete with pads on and he busted run after run. The most impressive part is he's able to dart between the tackles because he's so big and strong -- but he's fast enough and versatile enough to get around the edge and even catch passes out of the backfield.
-- True freshman running back Daniyel Ngata left one of the position drills early in practice to get worked on in the training tent. It seemed like it was something to do with one of his ankles, or his leg, but he returned to scrimmaging later in practice and appeared to be fine. Can only assume it was a minor bump or bruise.
--
-- The offensive linemen began their Saturday morning practice working on staying low and taking an explosive step off the ball. Ladarius Henderson and Kellen Diesch turned in some of the best reps of the group, keeping their centers of gravity low and continuing to drive their feet all the way through the block. The group really emphasized run blocking throughout the practice, specifically downhill zone runs and pulling guard actions. Dohnovan West was the outlier of the two guards with his explosive lateral step to get moving, then sticking to the hip of the B gap he was pulling through
--
DEFENSIVE NOTES:
-- It is already evident the ASU defense is having some trouble dissecting what Zak Hill is drawing up on offense. For every play, there seems to be 2-3 different shifts and motions. In other words, eye candy that can trip up defenders. The one big positive that I think will come of it, regardless of if they face it in the real season, is communication. Safeties and cornerbacks are playing in the box, dopping back, doing all this different stuff based upon how the offense motions. That means the communication has to be upped between everyone. When a safety comes into the box, he's now a LB and the LBs need to talk to him and fill him in a snap second.
-- It could just be a thing to try out during the spring, but Jermayne Lole has been playing inside quite often. Lole, who was ASU's best pass rusher from the outside last season, doesn't exactly have the ideal size to come off the edge -- especially compared to Stanley Lambert (when he gains some weight) or Amiri Johnson. Could be a way to maxamize the DL talent regardless of position.
-- During an 11-on-11 play, Jayden Daniels was rolling to his left and just after the whistle blew, he threw a pass across his body that was picked off by Jordan Clark. Don't think it was a legit INT but, nonetheless, Daniels' mom and CB Jack Jones were jokingly jawing at each other on the sideline about whether it was a pick or not.
OTHER NOTES:
-- PUNT Returners:
Jack Jones
Brandon Pierce
Nick Johnson
Daniyel Ngata
T Lee
Punter -- Kevin Macias
-- Among the notable attendees of Saturday's practice was former ASU running back Kalen Ballage, Athletic Director Ray Anderson and these three guys -- each of them are finishing their final semester at their respective high schools and will arrive on campus this summer.
QUOTES:
-- During the period where every defensive unit rotates to a station run by one of the defensive coaches, DL coach Robert Rodriguez was trying to light a fire in the defensive backs: “Get a reputation right now that you’ll look forward to at the next level," he told them.
-- "That's you Nolan! Same damn thing that happened in the drill. Block the guy!" offensive line coach Dave Christensen said, calling out rising sophomore tight end Nolan Matthews for what was apparently a lackluster blocking effort on the inside run drill.
-- "You got to get so damn good at this that you work on it in the summertime. You got to take pride in that s---," defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez after explaining detailed techniques to the position group.
PART 1/2 ...
