Thursday marked the second day of fall camp so experimentation is still to be expected, however, with a prior day to compare to, some patterns start to emerge.
Some players, most notably along the defensive front, stayed in the same spots while the secondary saw a few changes.
One thing defensive coordinator Keith Patterson pointed out when we talked to him after practice was he wanted to make the defense more unpredictable and change where some players lined up, which will be talked about a little later.
With all of that said, here is how the depth chart looked after day two:
First team offense:
Quarterback(s): Manny Wilkins, Bryce Perkins
Running back(s): Demario Richard, Kalen Ballage
Wide receivers: Ellis Jefferson, Time White (slot), Jalen Harvey
Tight end(s): Raymond Epps, Kody Kohl
Left tackle: Evan Goodman
Left guard: Sam Jones
Center: Tyler McClure
Right Guard: Stephon McCray
Right tackle: Quinn Bailey
First team Defense:
Devilbacker: JoJo Wicker
Defensive end: Renell Wren
Nose guard: Ami Latu
Tiger: Tashon Smallwood
Sam LB: Salamo Fiso
Will LB: DJ Calhoun
Spur: Marcus Ball
Field corner: Gump Hayes
Boundary corner: Kareem Orr, J’Marcus Rhodes
Field safety: Laiu Moeakiola
Boundary safety: Armand Perry
Second team offense:
QB: Manny Wilkins, Bryce Perkins (rotating)
Running back(s): Nick Ralston
Wide receivers: Fred Gammage, Cam Smith, Terrell Chatman
Tight end(s): Grant Martinez, Frank Ogas
Left tackle: Evan Goodman
Left guard: Connor Humphreys
Center: Stephon McCray
Right Guard: Steve Miller
Right tackle: Zach Robertson
First team Defense:
Devilbacker: A.J. Latu
Defensive end: Edmond Boateng
Nose guard: George Lea
Tiger: Corey Smith
Sam LB: Salamo Fiso
Will LB: Carlos Mendoza
Spur: Koron Crump
Field corner: Bryson Echols
Boundary corner: J’Marcus Rhodes
Field safety: James Johnson
Boundary safety: Chad Adams
Note: Units get switched out at different times so sometimes the first team defensive line would be playing with the second team secondary or so it seemed. There was also some variation Thursday as to who played where which Patterson alluded to as something he would like to do. For example, Moekiola and Perry switched places in terms of field and boundary. Wicker at Devil was back at the boundary after being on the filed side yesterday. Patterson talked about a defense that will more dynamic and less static with more pre-snap movement compared to last season.
If you recall one anonymous offensive coordinator in the Pac-12 said in an interview to ESPN that the conference has seemingly figured out ASU’s defense, so changing up the scheme is the prudent way to go.
Quarterbacks:
The biggest, most prominent storyline of fall camp falls here and Thursday saw some change in the type of reps the quarterbacks took. Redshirt freshman Bryce Perkins worked with the veterans after working with the newcomers Wednesday, while redshirt sophomore Manny Wilkins continued to work with the vets.
Perkins got the first set of first-team reps with Wilkins running with the second team in the beginning.
Early on both QBs came under pressure but both did a good job climbing up into the pocket to avoid pressure instead of looking to run and escape which is a good sign.
Perkins and Wilkins both overthrew some deep balls, which probably should have been completed, but, it’s better to see them overthrown than underthrown where a defensive back can make a play on the ball. Perkins’ improved mechanics, namely not pushing the ball, were evident and the ball had more a zip to it. At the same time, his touch on his longer throws is improved as well.
The interesting thing was how well the newcomer quarterbacks performed. Both freshman Dillon Sterling-Cole and redshirt freshman Brady White had some good moments with both showing good touch on intermediate and deep routes. Sterling-Cole, in particular, displayed a big arm and may have the strongest arm out of any quarterback on the roster.
Both White and Sterling-Cole benefited from the fine play of several young receivers. However, the optimism from their performance with the newcomers needs to be tempered because they were playing mostly against younger players with minimal experience. It will have to be monitored how they do throughout the rest of camp.
Running backs:
Probably the strongest position group the Sun Devils have, running back saw no change from Wednesday to Thursday. Junior Demario Richard got the initial work with the first team but junior Kalen Ballage also saw some work with the first team. Walk-on Gil'Scott Jackson had some good reps with the newcomers.
It’s hard to judge running backs when the team is practicing in just helmets like they were Thursday. As practices get more physical and the shoulder pads come on Friday, the running backs will likely show more of their physical running style they both possess.
Redshirt freshman Jason Lewis practiced with the newcomers again and had one really good run but judging the running game when there is minimal contact can be a tough task.
Wide receivers:
The more the wide receivers work, they more they continue to impress.
With the veterans, redshirt junior Ellis Jefferson made some good catchers in 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and team work as did redshirt sophomore Jalen Harvey. In fact, Harvey may have ran some of the best routes of the day and his development has been pleasing as he continually drew praise from the coaching staff. Cam Smith caught a nice fade route thanks to an impressive Perkins pass.
With the newcomers, a lot is expected of freshman N’Keal Harry, being the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the country will do that, but fellow freshmen Frank Darby, Kyle Williams and Jeremy Smith both looked good as well. Harry made one tough contested one-handed catch but it was really Smith, Darby and redshirt freshman Chaz Collins who were the pleasant surprises of the newcomer portion. M.L. Harris is a walk-on wide receiver that has had a string start to fall camp.
Harry was also seen doing up-downs up and down the length of the filed after practice. Now is not a time to read into that too much as mistakes will happen and Harry grows accustomed to the expectations of the program.
Tight ends:
There was some change with redshirt junior Raymond Epps running with the first team at tight end. Kody Kohl still got some time with the first team as well but likely there is an “or” between them on the depth chart, one could imagine.
Many of the throws seemed targeted to the wide receivers and less tight end oriented but they may change as camp goes on and the playbook expands.
The blocking probably could have been better as the run game seemed stuffed for the most part by the defense, but, again, there were no pads so that could change as pads come on and physicality increases.
Offensive line:
The offensive line is probably the hardest group to judge without pads on and contact at a bare minimum. That said, with four new starters, lumps are expected.
There weren’t a lot of clean running lanes either inside or outside for the running backs but, with no pads, it’s tough to evaluate an offensive line.
Friday will likely reveal more detail about the offensive line in the running game.
As a whole in the passing game, this unit had a hard time with the defensive line, especially a nimble Wicker. Multiple would-be sacks were given up and part of that could be due to a combination of inexperience and a complicated defense across from them.
More time will likely be needed for a clearer picture of the offensive line to develop.
Some players, most notably along the defensive front, stayed in the same spots while the secondary saw a few changes.
One thing defensive coordinator Keith Patterson pointed out when we talked to him after practice was he wanted to make the defense more unpredictable and change where some players lined up, which will be talked about a little later.
With all of that said, here is how the depth chart looked after day two:
First team offense:
Quarterback(s): Manny Wilkins, Bryce Perkins
Running back(s): Demario Richard, Kalen Ballage
Wide receivers: Ellis Jefferson, Time White (slot), Jalen Harvey
Tight end(s): Raymond Epps, Kody Kohl
Left tackle: Evan Goodman
Left guard: Sam Jones
Center: Tyler McClure
Right Guard: Stephon McCray
Right tackle: Quinn Bailey
First team Defense:
Devilbacker: JoJo Wicker
Defensive end: Renell Wren
Nose guard: Ami Latu
Tiger: Tashon Smallwood
Sam LB: Salamo Fiso
Will LB: DJ Calhoun
Spur: Marcus Ball
Field corner: Gump Hayes
Boundary corner: Kareem Orr, J’Marcus Rhodes
Field safety: Laiu Moeakiola
Boundary safety: Armand Perry
Second team offense:
QB: Manny Wilkins, Bryce Perkins (rotating)
Running back(s): Nick Ralston
Wide receivers: Fred Gammage, Cam Smith, Terrell Chatman
Tight end(s): Grant Martinez, Frank Ogas
Left tackle: Evan Goodman
Left guard: Connor Humphreys
Center: Stephon McCray
Right Guard: Steve Miller
Right tackle: Zach Robertson
First team Defense:
Devilbacker: A.J. Latu
Defensive end: Edmond Boateng
Nose guard: George Lea
Tiger: Corey Smith
Sam LB: Salamo Fiso
Will LB: Carlos Mendoza
Spur: Koron Crump
Field corner: Bryson Echols
Boundary corner: J’Marcus Rhodes
Field safety: James Johnson
Boundary safety: Chad Adams
Note: Units get switched out at different times so sometimes the first team defensive line would be playing with the second team secondary or so it seemed. There was also some variation Thursday as to who played where which Patterson alluded to as something he would like to do. For example, Moekiola and Perry switched places in terms of field and boundary. Wicker at Devil was back at the boundary after being on the filed side yesterday. Patterson talked about a defense that will more dynamic and less static with more pre-snap movement compared to last season.
If you recall one anonymous offensive coordinator in the Pac-12 said in an interview to ESPN that the conference has seemingly figured out ASU’s defense, so changing up the scheme is the prudent way to go.
Quarterbacks:
The biggest, most prominent storyline of fall camp falls here and Thursday saw some change in the type of reps the quarterbacks took. Redshirt freshman Bryce Perkins worked with the veterans after working with the newcomers Wednesday, while redshirt sophomore Manny Wilkins continued to work with the vets.
Perkins got the first set of first-team reps with Wilkins running with the second team in the beginning.
Early on both QBs came under pressure but both did a good job climbing up into the pocket to avoid pressure instead of looking to run and escape which is a good sign.
Perkins and Wilkins both overthrew some deep balls, which probably should have been completed, but, it’s better to see them overthrown than underthrown where a defensive back can make a play on the ball. Perkins’ improved mechanics, namely not pushing the ball, were evident and the ball had more a zip to it. At the same time, his touch on his longer throws is improved as well.
The interesting thing was how well the newcomer quarterbacks performed. Both freshman Dillon Sterling-Cole and redshirt freshman Brady White had some good moments with both showing good touch on intermediate and deep routes. Sterling-Cole, in particular, displayed a big arm and may have the strongest arm out of any quarterback on the roster.
Both White and Sterling-Cole benefited from the fine play of several young receivers. However, the optimism from their performance with the newcomers needs to be tempered because they were playing mostly against younger players with minimal experience. It will have to be monitored how they do throughout the rest of camp.
Running backs:
Probably the strongest position group the Sun Devils have, running back saw no change from Wednesday to Thursday. Junior Demario Richard got the initial work with the first team but junior Kalen Ballage also saw some work with the first team. Walk-on Gil'Scott Jackson had some good reps with the newcomers.
It’s hard to judge running backs when the team is practicing in just helmets like they were Thursday. As practices get more physical and the shoulder pads come on Friday, the running backs will likely show more of their physical running style they both possess.
Redshirt freshman Jason Lewis practiced with the newcomers again and had one really good run but judging the running game when there is minimal contact can be a tough task.
Wide receivers:
The more the wide receivers work, they more they continue to impress.
With the veterans, redshirt junior Ellis Jefferson made some good catchers in 1-on-1, 7-on-7 and team work as did redshirt sophomore Jalen Harvey. In fact, Harvey may have ran some of the best routes of the day and his development has been pleasing as he continually drew praise from the coaching staff. Cam Smith caught a nice fade route thanks to an impressive Perkins pass.
With the newcomers, a lot is expected of freshman N’Keal Harry, being the No. 1 wide receiver recruit in the country will do that, but fellow freshmen Frank Darby, Kyle Williams and Jeremy Smith both looked good as well. Harry made one tough contested one-handed catch but it was really Smith, Darby and redshirt freshman Chaz Collins who were the pleasant surprises of the newcomer portion. M.L. Harris is a walk-on wide receiver that has had a string start to fall camp.
Harry was also seen doing up-downs up and down the length of the filed after practice. Now is not a time to read into that too much as mistakes will happen and Harry grows accustomed to the expectations of the program.
Tight ends:
There was some change with redshirt junior Raymond Epps running with the first team at tight end. Kody Kohl still got some time with the first team as well but likely there is an “or” between them on the depth chart, one could imagine.
Many of the throws seemed targeted to the wide receivers and less tight end oriented but they may change as camp goes on and the playbook expands.
The blocking probably could have been better as the run game seemed stuffed for the most part by the defense, but, again, there were no pads so that could change as pads come on and physicality increases.
Offensive line:
The offensive line is probably the hardest group to judge without pads on and contact at a bare minimum. That said, with four new starters, lumps are expected.
There weren’t a lot of clean running lanes either inside or outside for the running backs but, with no pads, it’s tough to evaluate an offensive line.
Friday will likely reveal more detail about the offensive line in the running game.
As a whole in the passing game, this unit had a hard time with the defensive line, especially a nimble Wicker. Multiple would-be sacks were given up and part of that could be due to a combination of inexperience and a complicated defense across from them.
More time will likely be needed for a clearer picture of the offensive line to develop.
