They say the second day is always better than the first, and that rang true for Arizona State on Thursday as the football team returned to the field for their second practice of spring ball.
Aftermuch of the first practicewas focused on resetting the focus and culture, Kenny Dillingham took things up a notch.
The practice started with the distribution of Arizona State's first official height and weight lists for their team, showing off several physical transformations for their players.
ASU football updates heights and weightspic.twitter.com/PamcPFlj2r
— Chris Karpman (@ChrisKarpman)March 27, 2025
While Tuesday saw several former players - Cam Skattebo, Melquan Stovall, and Xavier Guillory - show up to observe practice, Thursday brought in former starting center Leif Fautanu, himself a draft hopeful.
Former ASU OL Leif Fautanu is in Tempe watching his old group go to work at practice.
— Justin LaCertosa (@LaCertosaSports)March 27, 2025
Skattebo, Stovall and Guillory were here on Tuesday. Key contributors to the Big 12 Championship run showing continued support.@DevilsDigestpic.twitter.com/bYTbTdm7dz
Kenny Dillingham made it a point to play Queen's "We Are the Champions" nonstop in the first practice, later explaining his goal is to make the Sun Devils' 2024 Big 12 championship season feel "irrelevant" as they set their sights on new goals. Clearly, he didn't feel the message was absorbed yet, playing the song again on Thursday.
For the second straight practice, ASU football has “We Are The Champions” on repeat.
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks)March 27, 2025
Kenny Dillingham was serious about trying to send a message to the team.@SunDevilSourcepic.twitter.com/aBb59FMq6w
One side of the field was clearly fueled by the motivation, as Arizona State's defense had another big day. Cornerback Rodney Bimage, who is fighting for a starting role this year, made more big plays after a solid first day of practice.
Rodney Bimage with his second interception in as many practices.
— Anthony Totri (@Anthony_Totri)March 27, 2025
He’s off to about as strong of a spring as you could have.pic.twitter.com/Yfvb4X4NvY
One player who is competing with Bimage is transfer Nyland Green, whose size and length was on display Thursday.
Purdue transfer cornerback Nyland Green (23) adds some size and length to the Arizona State DB room.
— Anthony Totri (@Anthony_Totri)March 27, 2025
Green is listed at 6’2 and 185 lbs.pic.twitter.com/okCeXw8Tmo
One of the most exciting returning starters on defense is defensive tackle CJ Fite, who led the defensive line rotation last season and showed off his improved strength in practice.
CJ Fite makes me thankful that I’m not a red bag.
— Anthony Totri (@Anthony_Totri)March 27, 2025
Fite looks stronger by the day.pic.twitter.com/1aMig12fyu
The defense wasn't the only unit having fun, of course. Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson continued to get more work in, rebuilding their elite connection after Tyson's season-ending injury last year.
The@S_leav10and@tyson_jordyntandem over the airpic.twitter.com/6toFgmxCms
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest)March 27, 2025
Transfer receiver Jaren Hamilton also showed off his wheels, which could earn him a prime spot in the receiver rotation this year.
Alabama transfer wide receiver Jaren Hamilton turned on the jets 💨pic.twitter.com/oaHULvE3Sj
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils)March 27, 2025
Then there's transfer running back Kanye Udoh, seen by many as the frontrunner to replace Skattebo as the Sun Devils' top running back.
Running back@KanyeUdoh6explodeing after receiving the handoffpic.twitter.com/Jip5mvwOz0
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest)March 27, 2025
Of course, the star of the day was freshman tight end AJ Ia, who made several big plays in individual drills and looks to be way ahead of his years.
Freshman TE AJ Ia with a fantastic touchdown rep, followed by a swarming ASU celebration.@SunDevilSourcepic.twitter.com/sVmtotCBCp
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks)March 27, 2025
Ia's performance even earned some praise from Dillingham after practice.
Kenny Dillingham said freshman TE AJ Ia can make a huge immediate impact:
— Jakob Brooks (@Jakobrooks)March 27, 2025
"He's physical. He studies and cares at an elite level... It's our job as a staff to get the best players on the field... He may be a guy that makes me play him."@SunDevilSourcehttps://t.co/qufUOy7RRMpic.twitter.com/hiNtlSmqzS
Elsewhere, transfer kicker Jesus Gomez got another opportunity to practice his kicks, an area that Arizona State needs to drastically improve this year. Fans will be ecstatic to hear Gomez has looked good so far.
Jesus Gomez just hit a FG from 47 with plenty of distance to spare
— Brad Denny (@BDenny29)March 27, 2025
After practice, Dillingham spoke about how much the depth of this year's team has improved, and how that gives him confidence going into 2025.
Kenny Dillingham said what makes this year's ASU spring roster different than years past, is added depth:
— SunDevilSource.com (@SunDevilSource)March 27, 2025
"We have enough depth that people can play with each other. We can intermix a little bit of ones and threes, which is a huge positive."pic.twitter.com/YDYgGXCr87
Dillingham also announced that their next practice, Saturday at 6:00 PM, will be open to the public. His reason was to open it up to the fans and try to recreate some measure of added pressure for his players, hoping to ratchet up the intensity early on.
Saturday's practice is at 6:00 p.m. at Mountain America Stadiumhttps://t.co/pDbLUMu5Er
— DevilsDigest.com (@DevilsDigest)March 27, 2025
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