ASU Football: Sun Devils start final week of Spring Practice

Two days before its annual Maroon & Gold Practice, ASU football had a lighter session outside the Verde Dickey Dome.

Through three weeks and 12 sessions of Arizona State’s Spring Practices, inclement weather kept the Sun Devils from venturing outside ‘The Bubble.’

On Tuesday, they finally got a taste of spring sunlight.

ASU practiced on the Kajikawa Practice fields for the first time this month, operating through a session with temperatures hovering at 56 degrees. This was the team’s final full practice, as tomorrow will be a walkthrough before Thursday night’s Maroon & Gold Practice.

All four quarterbacks rotated in-and-out of simulated play, giving different observations during 11-on-11s and 7-on-7s. Offensive and defensive linemen were permitted to leave at 11 a.m., something coach Herm Edwards used to allow in the NFL.

“This practice was dedicated to Kevin Mawae,” he said. “We used to have these types of practices in New York, where after the team period, the offensive line and defensive line went in.

“I think where we’re at right now, the key for us is just getting through the next two practices without any injuries.”

Edwards has also sought to lessen damage by limiting live tackling, another professional strategy.

“I think we’ll be a better tackling team,” he said. “About the guys getting tackled, I don’t worry about that too much. I just think that in today’s world, safety is always critical, and you can still get work done without live tackling.”

Normally practicing until 11:45 a.m., all players were released around 11:15.

Here’s what else stood out from today.

Observations

• For the first 15 minutes, players were separated for position skill work. Dave Christensen instructed the offensive line (below) and Antonio Pierce focused on footwork with his linebackers on the near side of the field.
• At the opposite end, the quarterbacks worked on handoffs with the running back corps (left endzone) and the defensive backs practiced on the right side.
• ASU then switched to practice special teams and punt return drills on the right field.
• Prior to simulated action, the offense worked on clock management and situational drills leading up to the redzone. Jayden Daniels and Dillon Sterling-Cole received the brunt of the reps here.
• In 11-on-11s, Daniels rolled out and juked a defender before running into the endzone for a touchdown. Edwards gave him a pat on the back as he returned.
• Yellen had a well-placed throw to Brandon Aiyuk in the left side of the endzone for a score. He showed patience on another play, reading coverage before finding Isaiah Floyd for a touchdown on the right side.
• Edwards was vocal and animated at today’s practice. As the kickers left, he teased, “No football? They play golf after kicking!”
• Eno Benjamin didn’t participate in team drills today; he only went through individual skill work.

Depth Charts

First Team Offense

QB: Dillon Sterling-Cole, Jayden Daniels

RB: Isaiah Floyd

WR: Brandon Aiyuk, Frank Darby, John Humphrey, Kyle Williams

TE: Tommy Hudson, Curtis Hodges

OL: Zach Robertson (LT), Alex Losoya (LG), Cohl Cabral (Ce), Cade Cote (RG), Steven Miller (RT)

First Team Defense

DL: Jermayne Lole, Corey Stephens, George Lea

LB: Khalylan Kearse-Thomas, Merlin Robertson, Darien Butler

CB: Kobe Williams, Chase Lucas

S: Evan Fields, Aashari Crosswell (Tillman), Cam Phillips

Second Team Offense

QB: Joey Yellen, Ethan Long

RB: AJ Carter

WR: Geordon Porter, Tannor Park, C.J. Jarmon, Tyerell Baldonado-Kaelopu

TE: Jared Bubak

OL: Ralph Frias (LT), Dohnovan West (LG), Jarrett Bell (Ce), Roy Hemsley (RG), Spencer Lovell (RT)

Second Team Defense:

DL: Michael Matus (DE), Corey Stephens (NT), Mark Walton (DE)

LB: Ely Doyle, Case Hatch (MLB), Kyle Soelle

CB: Terin Adams, Timarcus Davis

S: Alijah Gammage, Tyler Whiley (Tillman), K.J. Jarrell

All quotes in this article were obtained by a secondhand source.