It hasn't been a great start to Spring Camp for the Sun Devils, at least off the field. Yesterday, the news surrounded around JUCO transfer Davon Durant's indefinite suspension from the team and this morning, shortly after practice ended, word came out that WR Cam Smith has had surgery on his injured knee and will be out for the 2015 season.
Not good.
As for today's action, there wasn't anybody new in a green non-contact jersey however LT Evan Goodman appeared to injure an ankle and spent the majority of the session at Muscle Beach doing light conditioning.
Replacing Goodman at the starting left tackle position was redshirt freshman Sam Jones.
1st team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Gary Chambers (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), and Billy McGehee (RT).
2nd team offense: Manny Wilkins (QB), Kalen Ballage (RB), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Jalen Harvey (WR), Tyler Whiley (WR), Raymond Epps (TE), Jack Powers (LT), Steve Miller (LG), Tyler McClure (C), Devin Goodman (RG), and Quinn Bailey (RT).
A couple things that stood out: There was very little of Eric Lauderdale today. Personally, I thought Lauderdale looked solid yesterday but for whatever reason was third string behind guys like Harvey and Whiley. That's obviously not good news because even before the loss of Cam Smith, it was critical for Lauderdale to hit the ground running in the Spring in order to be counted on in the Fall.
On a few occasions the offense showed a split backfield with Ballage and De'Chavon Hayes, coupled with Foster at WR and that's a lot of speed on the field at one time for the Sun Devils. Hayes spent equal time at RB and in the slot this morning and again had a couple of nice runs where he was able to fit through a small hole and get a decent gain out of the play.
Manny Wilkins and Brady White really split second team duties and while neither guy wowed (in fact, the offense overall had a tough time against the defense), White looked a bit sharper.
On one particular play White showed great touch on an otherwise awkward pass attempt when he rolled to his left while under heavy pressure and floated a pass over the head of the linebacker to an open Raymond Epps before the safety could close in on him.
White also made a couple nice sideline throws to Whiley to help move the sticks for the offense.
The only score of the day came on a short Bercovici TD pass to Gammage. Gammage actually did nice job of using his body to shield Kweishi Brown from making a play on the ball while making the tough catch.
Offensive Line Coach Chris Thomsen spent a lot of the morning working with the OL on their footwork and leveraging their strength.
During OL/DL drills, guys like Jones, Westerman, and the freshman Miller stood out. Both Jones and Miller, for being young, play with a bit of an edge, which is good for an OL.
In a small change from yesterday, Gump Hayes spent time as a gunner on punt coverage. It appears the staff is trying to take full advantage of his speed. On kicks where Matt Haack got good hang time, Hayes didn't have a problem beating the ball downfield.
Foster, Gammage, Harvey, Brimhall and Hayes all took turns returning punts. Foster muffed one, which was a problem for him last year too during practices.
Ballage and Brimhall handled the kickoff returns.
FWIW Zane Gonzalez was the primary kickoff man. He's being backed up by Edgar Gastelum (?).
Gonzalez also made both of his field goals this morning from 32 and 38 yards out, respectively.
Oh, and the first team kickoff coverage team consisted of Simone, Brown, Longino, Sam, Calhoun, Jamal Scott, Ball, Harvey, Foster and Carrington.
They were backed up by James Johnson, Means, Murphy-Richardson, Sterling (?), Richard, Whiley, Mendoza, Otomewo, and Chad Adams.
ASU QB commit Bryce Perkins stopped by with the family to watch practice. Chandler has this week and next week off, I believe, so we may see more of him.
While the team was in shorts and shirts again today, Graham said they'll be in full pads on Thursday and that it should be a war.
Not good.
As for today's action, there wasn't anybody new in a green non-contact jersey however LT Evan Goodman appeared to injure an ankle and spent the majority of the session at Muscle Beach doing light conditioning.
Replacing Goodman at the starting left tackle position was redshirt freshman Sam Jones.
1st team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Gary Chambers (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), and Billy McGehee (RT).
2nd team offense: Manny Wilkins (QB), Kalen Ballage (RB), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Jalen Harvey (WR), Tyler Whiley (WR), Raymond Epps (TE), Jack Powers (LT), Steve Miller (LG), Tyler McClure (C), Devin Goodman (RG), and Quinn Bailey (RT).
A couple things that stood out: There was very little of Eric Lauderdale today. Personally, I thought Lauderdale looked solid yesterday but for whatever reason was third string behind guys like Harvey and Whiley. That's obviously not good news because even before the loss of Cam Smith, it was critical for Lauderdale to hit the ground running in the Spring in order to be counted on in the Fall.
On a few occasions the offense showed a split backfield with Ballage and De'Chavon Hayes, coupled with Foster at WR and that's a lot of speed on the field at one time for the Sun Devils. Hayes spent equal time at RB and in the slot this morning and again had a couple of nice runs where he was able to fit through a small hole and get a decent gain out of the play.
Manny Wilkins and Brady White really split second team duties and while neither guy wowed (in fact, the offense overall had a tough time against the defense), White looked a bit sharper.
On one particular play White showed great touch on an otherwise awkward pass attempt when he rolled to his left while under heavy pressure and floated a pass over the head of the linebacker to an open Raymond Epps before the safety could close in on him.
White also made a couple nice sideline throws to Whiley to help move the sticks for the offense.
The only score of the day came on a short Bercovici TD pass to Gammage. Gammage actually did nice job of using his body to shield Kweishi Brown from making a play on the ball while making the tough catch.
Offensive Line Coach Chris Thomsen spent a lot of the morning working with the OL on their footwork and leveraging their strength.
During OL/DL drills, guys like Jones, Westerman, and the freshman Miller stood out. Both Jones and Miller, for being young, play with a bit of an edge, which is good for an OL.
In a small change from yesterday, Gump Hayes spent time as a gunner on punt coverage. It appears the staff is trying to take full advantage of his speed. On kicks where Matt Haack got good hang time, Hayes didn't have a problem beating the ball downfield.
Foster, Gammage, Harvey, Brimhall and Hayes all took turns returning punts. Foster muffed one, which was a problem for him last year too during practices.
Ballage and Brimhall handled the kickoff returns.
FWIW Zane Gonzalez was the primary kickoff man. He's being backed up by Edgar Gastelum (?).
Gonzalez also made both of his field goals this morning from 32 and 38 yards out, respectively.
Oh, and the first team kickoff coverage team consisted of Simone, Brown, Longino, Sam, Calhoun, Jamal Scott, Ball, Harvey, Foster and Carrington.
They were backed up by James Johnson, Means, Murphy-Richardson, Sterling (?), Richard, Whiley, Mendoza, Otomewo, and Chad Adams.
ASU QB commit Bryce Perkins stopped by with the family to watch practice. Chandler has this week and next week off, I believe, so we may see more of him.
While the team was in shorts and shirts again today, Graham said they'll be in full pads on Thursday and that it should be a war.
