ASU spring game draws record crowd, excited recruits
With so many holes, particularly on defense, Arizona State this spring wanted to create an "atmosphere of competition." In that sense, the Sun Devils succeeded.
In front of a record crowd of 8,456, they wrapped up spring practice Saturday with the annual spring game at Sun Devil Stadium. The Sun Devils still have plenty of questions entering coach Todd Graham's third season, but the goal hasn't changed.
"Anything less than being Pac-12 champions is less than acceptable," Graham said.
Five takeaways from ASU's spring:
1. The program has momentum.
ASU won eight games in Graham's first season. Last year, the Sun Devils went 10-4 and hosted the Pac-12 Championship Game in Tempe. The results could be seen this spring. More recruits attended practice than in previous seasons. One, 2015 three-star receiver Tony Nicholson of Grand Prairie, Texas, committed to the Sun Devils before Saturday's scrimmage.
The spring game was played at Sun Devil Stadium, which is undergoing the first phase of a $225 million renovation. Parts of the upper-deck beyond the north end zone already had been removed, providing a perfect picture of where the program has been and where it is headed.
2. Kelly needs to take the next step.
Taylor Kelly is a three-year starter, something the Sun Devils haven't had since Rudy Carpenter left campus. Although his numbers weren't great — 7 of 22 for 92 yards — Kelly showed flashes of what makes him effective: the ability to improvise.
Kelly's challenge for next season: To challenge Oregon's Marcus Mariota, UCLA's Brett Hundley and Stanford's Kevin Hogan as the Pac-12's top quarterbacks. Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell says it's possible.
"I don't think Taylor's played his best ball," Norvell said. "He can continue to improve. We saw some things today with how he was managing (the game). I thought he did a good job with that, especially when things broke down. I didn't really see him put many balls in jeopardy."
Norvell wants Kelly to throw the deep ball better, and he was pleased to see his quarterback hook up with junior receiver Jaelen Strong on Saturday for a 63-yard pick up.
"That's something I've challenged him with, and time and time again this spring you saw those big plays," Norvell said.
3. The defense will be inexperienced.
Yes, they get it. The Sun Devils lost nine defensive starters, six of whom captured first- or second-team All-Pac-12 honors. They're tired of hearing about it.
"No doubt," defensive-ends coach Paul Randolph said. "We don't need to pay attention to it. We've moved forward."
Added sophomore linebacker Viliami Moeakiola: "We know what we lost, but it's a new year."
Graham likes to remind everyone that when he first arrived Carl Bradford was inexperienced and unproven. Two years later, after thriving at ASU's Devil-backer position, he is projected to go as high as the third round in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Graham's point: The Sun Devils will adapt their scheme to their personnel. And the coaching staff likes their personnel. One player who appears ready to elevate his game: senior safety Damarious Randall, who intercepted a pass and blocked a kick Saturday.
4. This off-season will be huge.
ASU could have as many as 10 newcomers who could contribute next season. Junior-college transfer Darrius Caldwell and freshman Ismael Murphy-Richardson will compete at the Devil-backer position, a key play-making spot on defense.
Junior-college transfer Dalvon Stuckey and freshmen Connor Humphreys and Tashon Smallwood will compete on the defensive line. Offensively, receiver Eric Lauderdale and running back De'Chavon Hayes, both junior-college transfers, should fight for playing time.
Graham said transitioning the newcomers to a higher level is his biggest concern.
"We have a tremendous class of guys coming in and we pride ourselves on being able to transition them very quickly," he said. "That's probably going to be the biggest thing — transitioning the guys that aren't here. I have a lot of confidence in the guys that are here, and those are the guys that are going to lead them and take them where they need to be in the fall."
5. The kicker is human.
As a freshman last season, Zane Gonzalez was brilliant. The freshman from Deer Park, Texas, made 25 of 30 field goals, which included a mid-season stretch of 18 in a row. As a result, he earned All-Pac-12 honors.
This spring, he wasn't nearly as sharp, making around 75 percent of his attempts.
"Yeah, that's an understatement," Gonzalez said of his struggles. "In the off-season, I put on a little weight — good weight — and I came into spring feeling confident. But things started off slow and it got into my head a little bit and I started losing my confidence. As the spring went on, I started to get a little better, but it took a while."