Arizona State was in shells – helmets and shoulder pads – on a cool (65 degrees) Tuesday morning on the Bill Kajikawa Practice Fields provided a comfortable setting for ASU’s session.
Offensive Attendance Notes:
Starting center Dohnovan West was not present at practice due to an excused absence.
Running back, Rachaad White was not seen Tuesday, while wide receiver Johnny Wilson – who missed the previous three games due to a hamstring injury – stretched with the Sun Devils before heading to the bubble for individual work.
Tight end Curtis Hodges had a green non-contact jersey on and participated in team drills but did not break the huddle with the first-team offense before the first play of ASU’s 11-on-11 period.
First Team Offense: Once again, we did not see any 11-on-11 period plays.
QB Jayden Daniels
RB DeaMonte Trayanum
WR Ricky Pearsall
WR Andre Johnson
TE John Stivers/Jalin Conyers
FB Case Hatch
OL left to right: Kellen Diesch, LaDarius Henderson, Jarrett Bell, Henry Hattis, Ben Scott.
Arizona State’s offensive units opened practice Tuesday with the quarterbacks and running backs together while each of the other position groups worked on their own. With offensive coordinator, Zak Hill and running backs coach Shaun Aguano overseeing the Sun Devil QBs and RBs worked on toss plays and RPOs.
Without redshirt senior Rachaad White available, Daniels worked with DeaMonte Trayanum. Backup quarterback Trenton Bourguet worked with Daniyel Ngata during those drills. After completing the run portion of QB/RB drills, Daniels, Bourguet, and third-string freshman Finn Collins moved to the far side of the field to throw routes on air with the wide receiver group. While that happened, Daylin McLemore and Nathan Manning worked on play-action passes with check downs to the running back in the flat.
The wide receivers began with quick feet drills in which change of direction and reaction time were tested. Interim wide receivers coach Bobby Wade and a staffer threw passes to the receivers from a short distance during the drill, which every receiver but Johnny Wilson participated in.
As the wide receivers prepared for routes on air, a call to “get it right, let’s go” was heard from the far side of the west field. During the drill, Utah transfer Bryan Thompson stood on the sideline with his helmet in his hand. During a set of throws, Jayden Daniels worked with Ricky Pearsall, LV Bunkley-Shelton, Curtis Hodges, and Andre Johnson, but other receivers in ASU’s receiving corps also got reps with the third-year Sun Devil starter.
Interim tight ends coach Juston Wood and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh each worked their usual reps on run blocking before Cavanaugh’s group paired up with the ASU running backs to work on blitz pickups to close the media viewing period. With Dohnovan West out with the excused absence and Jarrett Bell moving up to take first-team reps, the second team offensive line unit featured freshman Ezra Dotson-Oyetade.
From left to right, the second-team offensive line was as follows: Isaia Glass, Spencer Lovell, Ezra Dotson-Oyetade, Ben Bray, Sione Veikoso.
“There’s no doing what you’re doing here,” Cavanaugh said to the first-team offensive lineman following one dissatisfactory rep. As the tight ends worked on duo blocking, Hodges paired with John Stivers while Jalin Conyers paired with Case Hatch. After one play, Wood complimented Hatch. “Good directional step,” he said after Hatch completed his portion of the drill.
Defense
Here are notes and observations of the Arizona State defense for Tuesday’s media viewing window.
Based on what we have seen from practice and over the last seven games, here is the tentative two-deep as the team emerges from the bye week to face Washington State, its fifth conference opponent, on Saturday at 12:00 pm:
First-team defense
Left DE Michael Matus
3-technique Shannon Forman
Nose D.J. Davidson
Right DE Tyler Johnson
SAM Merlin Robertson
MIKE Kyle Soelle
WILL Darien Butler
S DeAndre Pierce
S Kejuan Markham
CB Jack Jones
CB Chase Lucas
Nickel CB: Jordan Clark
Second-team defense
Left DE Stanley Lambert / Joe Moore
3-technique Omarr Norman-Lott / BJ Green
Nose T.J. Pesefea / Corey Stephens
Right DE Anthonie Cooper / Gharin Stansbury
SAM Eric Gentry
MIKE Will Shaffer
WILL Caleb McCullough
S T Lee
S Willie Harts
CB Timarcus Davis
CB Isaiah Johnson
Nickel CB: Tommi Hill
When the Sun Devils line up in base 4-3 defense (three linebackers), Chase Lucas and Jack Jones play the left and right-field cornerback positions. When the Sun Devils substitute for nickel personnel, Robertson typically comes off the field for a third cornerback who has typically been Timarcus Davis. Before the bye week, the incoming third cornerback would take the outside corner position outside while Lucas assumed the slot corner role. If both starters stay, Jordan Clark is the likely choice to see first-team nickel action.
Attendance
Cornerback Chase Lucas, who has been nursing a lower-back contusion since he was sidelined during the Stanford game, was a full participant in practice.
Safety Evan Fields, who head coach Herm Edwards tabbed as a game-time decision on Monday, was at practice but not seen during media availability. Although he played against Stanford, Fields did not make the trip to Utah. Safety RJ Regan was present but unavailable during warmups.
Positional Drills
After warmups concluded, Chase Lucas gathered the team around in a huddle for his customary pre-practice speech. Lucas encouraged the team to put the Utah loss behind them and maintain focus for the rest of the schedule. “It’s a new day,” Lucas shouted. “Onto the next.”
The two-deep each took turns sprinting onto the field, lining up, then crashing to the left side in the only joint exercise between defensive positions for the period.
Linebackers coach Chris Claiborne ran his players through two wrap-up drills, one using the dummy sled and the other on cutting players. Claiborne encouraged the linebackers to drive from their lower body and attack at the correct angles. The medicine ball exercise was set up but was not used as Claiborne focused on tuning up the group’s technique during other exercises.
Next, Claiborne instructed the linebackers as they practiced route concept work. The two-deep rotated in two and three linebacker setups covering tight ends and slot receivers off the line. Each assignment was dependent on the depth and direction at which the receiver broke on his stem. At one point, Merlin Robertson misunderstood his task and responded audibly in frustration. Claiborne himself demonstrated route patterns the offense could run to deceive his group.
Defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez had his group practice a block-and-shed exercise before jogging over to the red blocking dummies. The group spread out into four lines behind each training object. As the players settled into their stances for a two-step roll into the dummy, Rodriguez told the group he expected flawless technique over speed. “Do not change your tempo for your footwork,” Rodriguez advised.
Rodriguez gave specific instructions to numerous players, but the two linemen he focused on most were 3-technique B.J. Green and defensive end Gharin Stansbury. “Punch with your hands, BJ, not with your hips,” Rodriguez said as he corrected the freshman. Rodriguez had a brief conversation with Stansbury before the group resumed work. “Set the tone with your hands and your feet,” Rodriguez said when the defensive line began to strike the dummies from a three-point stance.
After finishing up at the blocking dummies, Rodriguez and Co. jogged back over the right side of the practice complex, where four yellow barrels awaited them. The group worked on numerous stunts and pass rush packages that used a variety of players in creative ways.
The defensive backs worked through a unique backpedal exercise where each player trained his “click and close” ability by starting and sprinting forward multiple times before surging ahead to catch a football. The defensive backs then joined together as a unit for route concept work under the watchful eye of interim position coach Donnie Henderson.
Offensive Attendance Notes:
Starting center Dohnovan West was not present at practice due to an excused absence.
Running back, Rachaad White was not seen Tuesday, while wide receiver Johnny Wilson – who missed the previous three games due to a hamstring injury – stretched with the Sun Devils before heading to the bubble for individual work.
Tight end Curtis Hodges had a green non-contact jersey on and participated in team drills but did not break the huddle with the first-team offense before the first play of ASU’s 11-on-11 period.
First Team Offense: Once again, we did not see any 11-on-11 period plays.
QB Jayden Daniels
RB DeaMonte Trayanum
WR Ricky Pearsall
WR Andre Johnson
TE John Stivers/Jalin Conyers
FB Case Hatch
OL left to right: Kellen Diesch, LaDarius Henderson, Jarrett Bell, Henry Hattis, Ben Scott.
Arizona State’s offensive units opened practice Tuesday with the quarterbacks and running backs together while each of the other position groups worked on their own. With offensive coordinator, Zak Hill and running backs coach Shaun Aguano overseeing the Sun Devil QBs and RBs worked on toss plays and RPOs.
Without redshirt senior Rachaad White available, Daniels worked with DeaMonte Trayanum. Backup quarterback Trenton Bourguet worked with Daniyel Ngata during those drills. After completing the run portion of QB/RB drills, Daniels, Bourguet, and third-string freshman Finn Collins moved to the far side of the field to throw routes on air with the wide receiver group. While that happened, Daylin McLemore and Nathan Manning worked on play-action passes with check downs to the running back in the flat.
The wide receivers began with quick feet drills in which change of direction and reaction time were tested. Interim wide receivers coach Bobby Wade and a staffer threw passes to the receivers from a short distance during the drill, which every receiver but Johnny Wilson participated in.
As the wide receivers prepared for routes on air, a call to “get it right, let’s go” was heard from the far side of the west field. During the drill, Utah transfer Bryan Thompson stood on the sideline with his helmet in his hand. During a set of throws, Jayden Daniels worked with Ricky Pearsall, LV Bunkley-Shelton, Curtis Hodges, and Andre Johnson, but other receivers in ASU’s receiving corps also got reps with the third-year Sun Devil starter.
Interim tight ends coach Juston Wood and offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh each worked their usual reps on run blocking before Cavanaugh’s group paired up with the ASU running backs to work on blitz pickups to close the media viewing period. With Dohnovan West out with the excused absence and Jarrett Bell moving up to take first-team reps, the second team offensive line unit featured freshman Ezra Dotson-Oyetade.
From left to right, the second-team offensive line was as follows: Isaia Glass, Spencer Lovell, Ezra Dotson-Oyetade, Ben Bray, Sione Veikoso.
“There’s no doing what you’re doing here,” Cavanaugh said to the first-team offensive lineman following one dissatisfactory rep. As the tight ends worked on duo blocking, Hodges paired with John Stivers while Jalin Conyers paired with Case Hatch. After one play, Wood complimented Hatch. “Good directional step,” he said after Hatch completed his portion of the drill.
Defense
Here are notes and observations of the Arizona State defense for Tuesday’s media viewing window.
Based on what we have seen from practice and over the last seven games, here is the tentative two-deep as the team emerges from the bye week to face Washington State, its fifth conference opponent, on Saturday at 12:00 pm:
First-team defense
Left DE Michael Matus
3-technique Shannon Forman
Nose D.J. Davidson
Right DE Tyler Johnson
SAM Merlin Robertson
MIKE Kyle Soelle
WILL Darien Butler
S DeAndre Pierce
S Kejuan Markham
CB Jack Jones
CB Chase Lucas
Nickel CB: Jordan Clark
Second-team defense
Left DE Stanley Lambert / Joe Moore
3-technique Omarr Norman-Lott / BJ Green
Nose T.J. Pesefea / Corey Stephens
Right DE Anthonie Cooper / Gharin Stansbury
SAM Eric Gentry
MIKE Will Shaffer
WILL Caleb McCullough
S T Lee
S Willie Harts
CB Timarcus Davis
CB Isaiah Johnson
Nickel CB: Tommi Hill
When the Sun Devils line up in base 4-3 defense (three linebackers), Chase Lucas and Jack Jones play the left and right-field cornerback positions. When the Sun Devils substitute for nickel personnel, Robertson typically comes off the field for a third cornerback who has typically been Timarcus Davis. Before the bye week, the incoming third cornerback would take the outside corner position outside while Lucas assumed the slot corner role. If both starters stay, Jordan Clark is the likely choice to see first-team nickel action.
Attendance
Cornerback Chase Lucas, who has been nursing a lower-back contusion since he was sidelined during the Stanford game, was a full participant in practice.
Safety Evan Fields, who head coach Herm Edwards tabbed as a game-time decision on Monday, was at practice but not seen during media availability. Although he played against Stanford, Fields did not make the trip to Utah. Safety RJ Regan was present but unavailable during warmups.
Positional Drills
After warmups concluded, Chase Lucas gathered the team around in a huddle for his customary pre-practice speech. Lucas encouraged the team to put the Utah loss behind them and maintain focus for the rest of the schedule. “It’s a new day,” Lucas shouted. “Onto the next.”
The two-deep each took turns sprinting onto the field, lining up, then crashing to the left side in the only joint exercise between defensive positions for the period.
Linebackers coach Chris Claiborne ran his players through two wrap-up drills, one using the dummy sled and the other on cutting players. Claiborne encouraged the linebackers to drive from their lower body and attack at the correct angles. The medicine ball exercise was set up but was not used as Claiborne focused on tuning up the group’s technique during other exercises.
Next, Claiborne instructed the linebackers as they practiced route concept work. The two-deep rotated in two and three linebacker setups covering tight ends and slot receivers off the line. Each assignment was dependent on the depth and direction at which the receiver broke on his stem. At one point, Merlin Robertson misunderstood his task and responded audibly in frustration. Claiborne himself demonstrated route patterns the offense could run to deceive his group.
Defensive line coach Robert Rodriguez had his group practice a block-and-shed exercise before jogging over to the red blocking dummies. The group spread out into four lines behind each training object. As the players settled into their stances for a two-step roll into the dummy, Rodriguez told the group he expected flawless technique over speed. “Do not change your tempo for your footwork,” Rodriguez advised.
Rodriguez gave specific instructions to numerous players, but the two linemen he focused on most were 3-technique B.J. Green and defensive end Gharin Stansbury. “Punch with your hands, BJ, not with your hips,” Rodriguez said as he corrected the freshman. Rodriguez had a brief conversation with Stansbury before the group resumed work. “Set the tone with your hands and your feet,” Rodriguez said when the defensive line began to strike the dummies from a three-point stance.
After finishing up at the blocking dummies, Rodriguez and Co. jogged back over the right side of the practice complex, where four yellow barrels awaited them. The group worked on numerous stunts and pass rush packages that used a variety of players in creative ways.
The defensive backs worked through a unique backpedal exercise where each player trained his “click and close” ability by starting and sprinting forward multiple times before surging ahead to catch a football. The defensive backs then joined together as a unit for route concept work under the watchful eye of interim position coach Donnie Henderson.
