It's finally here, Sun Devil fans. It's FOOTBALL SEASON!
This morning Arizona State began its annual Fall Camp in preparation of the upcoming season, the fourth under Head Coach Todd Graham.
It was also the first of two team practices today as the veteran players gathered for the morning session while the newcomers will practice this evening.
Hod will be on hand to cover this evening's activities.
Before we dive into what happened this morning, I just want to point out that not all the "veteran" players on the roster participated in the practice. Because of the numbers, some players were held out and will practice tonight. So basically, don't panic over someone not being out there this morning.
That being said, it was an exciting first day for the Devils. It kind of felt like the first day of school; a few new faces, some new additions to the practice routine and settings, and the team even practiced in their new adidas practice gear, which looked very sharp.
There was no contact as the team practice without any pads.
There were only two players in green non-contact jerseys (which are now numbered); Vi Teofilo and Cameron Smith. Smith, of course, is out for the season but Teofilo, who's still recovering from offseason knee surgery, actually was able to participate in some of the OL drills and the morning walk-thru with the first team OL at RG.
By my count there were four players wearing the new PT-42 practice jerseys; Jordan Simone, Lloyd Carrington, Laiu Moeakiola, and James Johnson.
I know it's been reported already but Taylor Kelly was out there with the staff. Hod will have to clarify but I believe he's a special assistant trying to become a grad assistant. He stayed pretty close with the offense and Coach Norvell this morning.
In case anyone was wondering, the first player to come through the doors of the Verde Dickey Dome was Demario Richard. He must have ran from the bus because he arrived before the crowd and looked fired up when he came. Coach Norvell was there to meet him with a helmet slap before telling him to, "Lock in."
First team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Gary Chambers (WR), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Evan Goodman (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), and Billy McGehee (RT).
First team defense: Demetrius Cherry (DE), Ami Latu (N), Tashon Smallwood (DT), Kalen Ballage (Devil), Antonio Longino (WILL), Christian Sam (SAM), Laiu Moeakiola (SPUR), Lloyd Carrington (CB), Solomon Means (CB), Jordan Simone (S), and James Johnson (S).
Second team offense: Manny Wilkins (QB), De'Chavon Hayes (RB), Devin Lucien (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Eric Lauderdale (WR), Grant Martinez (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Stephon McCray (C), Nick Kelly (RG), and Quinn Bailey (RT).
Second team defense: Edmond Boateng (End), Connor Humphreys (N), Emmanuel Dayries (DT), Chans Cox (Devil), DJ Calhoun (WILL), Salamo Fiso (SAM), Marcus Ball (SPUR), Kweishi Brown (CB), Ronald Lewis (CB), Armand Perry (S), and Chad Adams (S).
Obviously the first thing that jumps out is Kalen Ballage, who tore it up during the spring at running back, lining up at first team devilbacker. The sophomore actually batted down one Bercovici pass attempt during the first set of team drills (11-on-11) and showed good speed off the edge.
It's worth noting that Ballage wore the traditional white jersey for the defense but also wore the gold pants that the offense wears, so he may have played a little offense as well after the media was asked to leave (we only got to watch the first hour).
Surprisingly, we did not see Edmond Boateng play any devilbacker this morning.
Demario Richard had a nice run after juking a linebacker. No surprise. The kid has been terrific since about the midway point of last season.
Lloyd Carrington nearly intercepted another Bercovici pass. After it appeared that D.J. Foster was able to get some room from Carrington by coming back to the ball, the senior CB was able to recover quickly, jumping ahead of Foster as the ball bounced off his chest.
An upset Carrington ran off the field before Coach Ball approach him and talked about needing to make sure he always has his hands up in front of him to avoid missing opportunities like that for the defense.
Manny Wilkins showed off his long ball by connecting with Ellis Jefferson deep. The redshirt freshman rolled to his right before throwing down the sideline. Jefferson was able to get behind Ronald Lewis and haul in the pass before falling out of bounds.
A couple of noteworthy first day observations...
- Just like during the spring, Coach Slocum was mic'd up during special teams drills.
- The team now has clocks inside the dome which count down each period like they do outside.
- Gump Hayes and Devin Lucien handled punt return duties.
- Demario Richard and Jordan Simone served as the primary blocker for Matt Haack during punts.
- Ellis Jefferson looks exactly like you'd want a WR to look. He seems taller, leaner, and stronger than he did last season. Quite impressive.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be around.
**EDIT: For those of you who may be starting with the practice report before checking out the videos that Hod posted, Ballage told reporters after practice that the coaching staff has decided to alternate days between offense and defense so as to not burn the sophomore out.
This morning Arizona State began its annual Fall Camp in preparation of the upcoming season, the fourth under Head Coach Todd Graham.
It was also the first of two team practices today as the veteran players gathered for the morning session while the newcomers will practice this evening.
Hod will be on hand to cover this evening's activities.
Before we dive into what happened this morning, I just want to point out that not all the "veteran" players on the roster participated in the practice. Because of the numbers, some players were held out and will practice tonight. So basically, don't panic over someone not being out there this morning.
That being said, it was an exciting first day for the Devils. It kind of felt like the first day of school; a few new faces, some new additions to the practice routine and settings, and the team even practiced in their new adidas practice gear, which looked very sharp.
There was no contact as the team practice without any pads.
There were only two players in green non-contact jerseys (which are now numbered); Vi Teofilo and Cameron Smith. Smith, of course, is out for the season but Teofilo, who's still recovering from offseason knee surgery, actually was able to participate in some of the OL drills and the morning walk-thru with the first team OL at RG.
By my count there were four players wearing the new PT-42 practice jerseys; Jordan Simone, Lloyd Carrington, Laiu Moeakiola, and James Johnson.
I know it's been reported already but Taylor Kelly was out there with the staff. Hod will have to clarify but I believe he's a special assistant trying to become a grad assistant. He stayed pretty close with the offense and Coach Norvell this morning.
In case anyone was wondering, the first player to come through the doors of the Verde Dickey Dome was Demario Richard. He must have ran from the bus because he arrived before the crowd and looked fired up when he came. Coach Norvell was there to meet him with a helmet slap before telling him to, "Lock in."
First team offense: Mike Bercovici (QB), Demario Richard (RB), D.J. Foster (WR), Gary Chambers (WR), Ellis Jefferson (WR), Kody Kohl (TE), Evan Goodman (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Nick Kelly (C), Stephon McCray (RG), and Billy McGehee (RT).
First team defense: Demetrius Cherry (DE), Ami Latu (N), Tashon Smallwood (DT), Kalen Ballage (Devil), Antonio Longino (WILL), Christian Sam (SAM), Laiu Moeakiola (SPUR), Lloyd Carrington (CB), Solomon Means (CB), Jordan Simone (S), and James Johnson (S).
Second team offense: Manny Wilkins (QB), De'Chavon Hayes (RB), Devin Lucien (WR), Fred Gammage (WR), Eric Lauderdale (WR), Grant Martinez (TE), Sam Jones (LT), Christian Westerman (LG), Stephon McCray (C), Nick Kelly (RG), and Quinn Bailey (RT).
Second team defense: Edmond Boateng (End), Connor Humphreys (N), Emmanuel Dayries (DT), Chans Cox (Devil), DJ Calhoun (WILL), Salamo Fiso (SAM), Marcus Ball (SPUR), Kweishi Brown (CB), Ronald Lewis (CB), Armand Perry (S), and Chad Adams (S).
Obviously the first thing that jumps out is Kalen Ballage, who tore it up during the spring at running back, lining up at first team devilbacker. The sophomore actually batted down one Bercovici pass attempt during the first set of team drills (11-on-11) and showed good speed off the edge.
It's worth noting that Ballage wore the traditional white jersey for the defense but also wore the gold pants that the offense wears, so he may have played a little offense as well after the media was asked to leave (we only got to watch the first hour).
Surprisingly, we did not see Edmond Boateng play any devilbacker this morning.
Demario Richard had a nice run after juking a linebacker. No surprise. The kid has been terrific since about the midway point of last season.
Lloyd Carrington nearly intercepted another Bercovici pass. After it appeared that D.J. Foster was able to get some room from Carrington by coming back to the ball, the senior CB was able to recover quickly, jumping ahead of Foster as the ball bounced off his chest.
An upset Carrington ran off the field before Coach Ball approach him and talked about needing to make sure he always has his hands up in front of him to avoid missing opportunities like that for the defense.
Manny Wilkins showed off his long ball by connecting with Ellis Jefferson deep. The redshirt freshman rolled to his right before throwing down the sideline. Jefferson was able to get behind Ronald Lewis and haul in the pass before falling out of bounds.
A couple of noteworthy first day observations...
- Just like during the spring, Coach Slocum was mic'd up during special teams drills.
- The team now has clocks inside the dome which count down each period like they do outside.
- Gump Hayes and Devin Lucien handled punt return duties.
- Demario Richard and Jordan Simone served as the primary blocker for Matt Haack during punts.
- Ellis Jefferson looks exactly like you'd want a WR to look. He seems taller, leaner, and stronger than he did last season. Quite impressive.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be around.
**EDIT: For those of you who may be starting with the practice report before checking out the videos that Hod posted, Ballage told reporters after practice that the coaching staff has decided to alternate days between offense and defense so as to not burn the sophomore out.
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