Scott, Caleb, and myself collaborated on this report
In a partly cloudy return to the gridiron, the Sun Devils showcased their blend of fresh faces and returning contributors in a focused, determined, and up-tempo first spring practice.
As always, not a whole lot to read into the two-deep at the first practice. Rotations are bound to take place at many spots throughout the next weeks.
OFFENSE
1ST TEAM
QB Trenton Bourguet
RB Kyson Brown, Raleek Brown
WR Troy Omeire
WR Kaleb Black
Slot Melquan Stovall
TE Bryce Pierre
LT Josh Atkins, Jalen Klemm
LG Sean Na’a
C Leif Fautanu
RG Ise Matautia
RT Kyle Scott, Colby Garvin
2ND TEAM
QB Sam Leavitt
RB Cam Skattebo, George Hart III, DeCarlos Brooks
WR Jake Smith
WR Korbin Hendrix
Slot WR Patrick Williams II
TE Markeston Douglas, Coleson Arends
LT Max Iheanachor
LG Ben Coleman
C Griffin Schureman, Sirri Kandiyeli
RG Cade Briggs
RT Kaden Haeckel
After going through initial stretching and light running of players, coaches zoomed in on a heavy communication period, relaying play calls as the defense themselves were adjusting to the offensive looks. Communication personnel-wise when rotating was a major emphasis. Compared to his predecessor as offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo was far more vocal and intense when working with the offense. Arroyo took command of both groups, getting everyone set and reminding them that in the walk-through.
Quarterbacks: Trenton Bourguet and Sam Leavitt had crisp throws throughout the morning, with both showing off notable accuracy and velocity on second-level passes. Leavitt, at 6-2 205, has a physical frame for a quarterback, yet was very fluid with his mobility, too. Left-hander Navi Bruzon worked in live reps as well and was impressive in his rollouts and short throws. All QBs were relatively on target in 1v1 throws, and in live play with a focus more towards shorter completions. The position group worked exclusively on pocket presence and maneuvers with Arroyo. Jaden Rashada was at practice but, as expected, wasn’t throwing.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Troy Omeire, Melquan Stovall, and Jake Smith are the leaders of the drill groups, with Smith now active following being ruled ineligible last season. Position coach Rashaad Samples was his usual vocal and standardized self, instructing loud and clear in repeated reps in an attempt to raise the minimum standard, as Coach Dillingham said. Some slipping issues on live routes throughout the group, which can be attributed to Monday’s rain. Troy Omeire at 6-4 230 should be a matchup nightmare. I thought Kaleb Black made the most out of his first-team duties, let alone taking advantage of the Elijaha Badger and Xavier Guillory absences and the (temporary) Jordan Tyson absence.
Personnel often switched out in up-tempo, live play. Positional drills included 1v1s against defensive backs (advantage DBs on Tuesday), basic catching, and route running. I could have sworn someone called 6-5 280 Markeston Douglas “slim,” but as imposing as his frame is, he displayed very soft hands too.
Running Backs: Both groups worked on handoffs and running through correct creases. George Hart III, trying to establish his position leading the group, drilled with a noticeably slimmer Cam Skattebo, down to 210 lbs. and DeCarlos Brooks followed quickly behind with newcomer Raleek Brown. No true standouts on Tuesday here, but it is evident this is one of the deeper groups on the team. All backs showed the ability to maneuver in front of the line and go out for routes when needed.
Individual drills featured a ball security segment, as offensive skill players worked around cones with a defender chasing them and attacking the ball. The groups would switch sides with the opposite end skill-position players running in a straight line with a defender in pursuit.
Offensive Line: Both Emmit Bohle and Ben Coleman practiced with no restrictions after missing much of last season with injuries. Time and hand placement were a special focus, with the unit shuffling constantly in live play. Bram Walden and Terrell Kim were at practice but didn’t participate. As we know, there is no shortage of bodies there, which is vital for depth.
DEFENSE
1ST TEAM
EDGE Prince Dorbah
DT CJ Fite
DT Jacob Kongaika
EDGE Anthonie Cooper
LB Caleb McCullough
LB Keyshaun Elliott
Nickel Macen Williams
Safety Shamari Simmons
Safety Xavion Alford
CB Ed Woods
CB Keith Abney II
2ND TEAM
EDGE Elijah O’Neal
DT Tristan Monday
DT Sam Benjamin/Kyran Bourda
EDGE Gharin Stansbury
LB Krew Jackson
LB K’Vion Thunderbird
Nickel Cole Martin
Safety Kamari Wilson
Safety Jack Bal
CB Rodney Bimage Jr.
CB Tommy Romano
Defensive Line:
Unit drills were extensive on Tuesday. Field goal block was one of these, as players lined up in the formation while sticking a hand up in a mock-block scenario. Outside of special teams, the usual sled pushes and pursuits were undertaken, but a competitive nature came in with races between guys on the outside edge, with the slower one hitting push-ups after the matchup. Roman Pitre mostly avoided these, as he was quick off his block with good footwork. Redshirt freshman Kyran Bourda, who did have a season-ending injury last year, looks to trimmer at 6-3 285. Clayton Smith, now at 245 lbs., added some much-needed bulk. With 21 scholarship players, it’s uber deep and, which was obviously missing from last season.
Secondary:
With two stalwarts in Jordan Clark and Ro Torrence no longer present, it didn’t take long for someone else to step into a “lead-by-example” role defensively. Xavion Alford jumped at the chance to return to the field, separating himself from the group with severe speed and footwork that positioned him well defensively in drills and live play all morning. Kamari Wilson wasn’t far behind him either on his sharp footwork. Martell Hughes, LT Welch, Javan Robinson, Kamari Wilson, and Tony Luis-Nkuba all grabbed interceptions on Tuesday.
Some confusion came in defending passes over the middle of the field as the secondary lapsed to allow easy, chunk completions. Double-cut routes and runs also gave them a bit of trouble.
Position drills focused on run pursuit, fumble scoops, ball tracking, and block sheds.
The entire defense collectively worked on their pre-snap alignments and adjustments to audibles while shifting to ballcarrier pursuit and forcing turnovers in drills. Cheerful lights came in outside run pursuit, while defensive backs were on point in 1v1s mostly as well. Defense also forced extended plays from time to time, as quarterbacks had to look for second and third reads often.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Ian Hershey
H Race Mahlum
LS Cole Marszalek.
In a partly cloudy return to the gridiron, the Sun Devils showcased their blend of fresh faces and returning contributors in a focused, determined, and up-tempo first spring practice.
As always, not a whole lot to read into the two-deep at the first practice. Rotations are bound to take place at many spots throughout the next weeks.
OFFENSE
1ST TEAM
QB Trenton Bourguet
RB Kyson Brown, Raleek Brown
WR Troy Omeire
WR Kaleb Black
Slot Melquan Stovall
TE Bryce Pierre
LT Josh Atkins, Jalen Klemm
LG Sean Na’a
C Leif Fautanu
RG Ise Matautia
RT Kyle Scott, Colby Garvin
2ND TEAM
QB Sam Leavitt
RB Cam Skattebo, George Hart III, DeCarlos Brooks
WR Jake Smith
WR Korbin Hendrix
Slot WR Patrick Williams II
TE Markeston Douglas, Coleson Arends
LT Max Iheanachor
LG Ben Coleman
C Griffin Schureman, Sirri Kandiyeli
RG Cade Briggs
RT Kaden Haeckel
After going through initial stretching and light running of players, coaches zoomed in on a heavy communication period, relaying play calls as the defense themselves were adjusting to the offensive looks. Communication personnel-wise when rotating was a major emphasis. Compared to his predecessor as offensive coordinator, Marcus Arroyo was far more vocal and intense when working with the offense. Arroyo took command of both groups, getting everyone set and reminding them that in the walk-through.
Quarterbacks: Trenton Bourguet and Sam Leavitt had crisp throws throughout the morning, with both showing off notable accuracy and velocity on second-level passes. Leavitt, at 6-2 205, has a physical frame for a quarterback, yet was very fluid with his mobility, too. Left-hander Navi Bruzon worked in live reps as well and was impressive in his rollouts and short throws. All QBs were relatively on target in 1v1 throws, and in live play with a focus more towards shorter completions. The position group worked exclusively on pocket presence and maneuvers with Arroyo. Jaden Rashada was at practice but, as expected, wasn’t throwing.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends: Troy Omeire, Melquan Stovall, and Jake Smith are the leaders of the drill groups, with Smith now active following being ruled ineligible last season. Position coach Rashaad Samples was his usual vocal and standardized self, instructing loud and clear in repeated reps in an attempt to raise the minimum standard, as Coach Dillingham said. Some slipping issues on live routes throughout the group, which can be attributed to Monday’s rain. Troy Omeire at 6-4 230 should be a matchup nightmare. I thought Kaleb Black made the most out of his first-team duties, let alone taking advantage of the Elijaha Badger and Xavier Guillory absences and the (temporary) Jordan Tyson absence.
Personnel often switched out in up-tempo, live play. Positional drills included 1v1s against defensive backs (advantage DBs on Tuesday), basic catching, and route running. I could have sworn someone called 6-5 280 Markeston Douglas “slim,” but as imposing as his frame is, he displayed very soft hands too.
Running Backs: Both groups worked on handoffs and running through correct creases. George Hart III, trying to establish his position leading the group, drilled with a noticeably slimmer Cam Skattebo, down to 210 lbs. and DeCarlos Brooks followed quickly behind with newcomer Raleek Brown. No true standouts on Tuesday here, but it is evident this is one of the deeper groups on the team. All backs showed the ability to maneuver in front of the line and go out for routes when needed.
Individual drills featured a ball security segment, as offensive skill players worked around cones with a defender chasing them and attacking the ball. The groups would switch sides with the opposite end skill-position players running in a straight line with a defender in pursuit.
Offensive Line: Both Emmit Bohle and Ben Coleman practiced with no restrictions after missing much of last season with injuries. Time and hand placement were a special focus, with the unit shuffling constantly in live play. Bram Walden and Terrell Kim were at practice but didn’t participate. As we know, there is no shortage of bodies there, which is vital for depth.
DEFENSE
1ST TEAM
EDGE Prince Dorbah
DT CJ Fite
DT Jacob Kongaika
EDGE Anthonie Cooper
LB Caleb McCullough
LB Keyshaun Elliott
Nickel Macen Williams
Safety Shamari Simmons
Safety Xavion Alford
CB Ed Woods
CB Keith Abney II
2ND TEAM
EDGE Elijah O’Neal
DT Tristan Monday
DT Sam Benjamin/Kyran Bourda
EDGE Gharin Stansbury
LB Krew Jackson
LB K’Vion Thunderbird
Nickel Cole Martin
Safety Kamari Wilson
Safety Jack Bal
CB Rodney Bimage Jr.
CB Tommy Romano
Defensive Line:
Unit drills were extensive on Tuesday. Field goal block was one of these, as players lined up in the formation while sticking a hand up in a mock-block scenario. Outside of special teams, the usual sled pushes and pursuits were undertaken, but a competitive nature came in with races between guys on the outside edge, with the slower one hitting push-ups after the matchup. Roman Pitre mostly avoided these, as he was quick off his block with good footwork. Redshirt freshman Kyran Bourda, who did have a season-ending injury last year, looks to trimmer at 6-3 285. Clayton Smith, now at 245 lbs., added some much-needed bulk. With 21 scholarship players, it’s uber deep and, which was obviously missing from last season.
Secondary:
With two stalwarts in Jordan Clark and Ro Torrence no longer present, it didn’t take long for someone else to step into a “lead-by-example” role defensively. Xavion Alford jumped at the chance to return to the field, separating himself from the group with severe speed and footwork that positioned him well defensively in drills and live play all morning. Kamari Wilson wasn’t far behind him either on his sharp footwork. Martell Hughes, LT Welch, Javan Robinson, Kamari Wilson, and Tony Luis-Nkuba all grabbed interceptions on Tuesday.
Some confusion came in defending passes over the middle of the field as the secondary lapsed to allow easy, chunk completions. Double-cut routes and runs also gave them a bit of trouble.
Position drills focused on run pursuit, fumble scoops, ball tracking, and block sheds.
The entire defense collectively worked on their pre-snap alignments and adjustments to audibles while shifting to ballcarrier pursuit and forcing turnovers in drills. Cheerful lights came in outside run pursuit, while defensive backs were on point in 1v1s mostly as well. Defense also forced extended plays from time to time, as quarterbacks had to look for second and third reads often.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Ian Hershey
H Race Mahlum
LS Cole Marszalek.
