The Arizona State football team had its first day of fall camp today, exactly one month before the Sun Devils play Southern Utah to kick off their season on August 31.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Here is what the coaches and players had to say after Day 1 (with some practice highlights sprinkled in during the interviews), as well as some key takeaways:
Coaches:
Kenny Dillingham Recaps Fall Camp Day 1, Praises Ro Torrence, Talks Importance of Physicality
Key Takeaways from Dillingham:
- Specifically named CB Ro Torrence as someone who is emerging as a leader and praised him for his efforts (unprompted)
- The most important thing this fall is physicality, wants to reach the level of Utah (has talked about this before, so he makes a point of emphasizing this standard)
- Also mentioned culture and being smart
- Wants his team to embrace the heat “as a teammate” and for the players to use it to their advantage having to deal with it
- Also praised wide receivers Elijhah Badger and Jake Smith when asked about them
- Was satisfied with today’s practice, but wouldn’t say he was pleased
- Didn’t have much to say about Colorado leaving the Pac-12
Arizona State OC Beau Baldwin on First Day Impressions, Improving, QB/WR Chemistry
Key Takeaways from Baldwin:
- Despite a lot of new faces on the offensive line, he’s really excited with how they will look and develop under coach Saga Tuitele
- Threw a lot at the players today, didn’t have a typical “install first day”
- Biggest improvement he wants to see is pre-snap urgency
- Says the way they will fulfill their ultimate potential is by taking care of the football and truly operate within the offense
- The pass catchers and quarterbacks have good chemistry still after all the time they’ve spent together in spring and summer
Players:
ASU WR Jake Smith Talks Strong Start to Fall Camp, Recovery and Being Home with the Sun Devils
Key Takeaways from Smith:
- After a good spring, Smith looked very good for the Sun Devils once again today
- After dealing with various injuries throughout his college career, Smith feels his speed and explosiveness are all the way back
- A successful 2023 for him would be a successful season for the team
- Offense has a lot of moving parts, but time in spring and summer have helped guys learn it
- After starring at Notre Dame Prep in high school and then having stops at Texas and USC, Smith says “it’s great to be home” with the Sun Devils
ASU TE Jalin Conyers on Team Chemistry, Golf Game, Colorado Leaving
Key Takeaways from Conyers:
- Wanted to be picked last in Pac-12, so they could have even more reason to show people they’re wrong
- Wants to be in conversation for John Mackey Award (best TE in nation)
- When comparing similarities of golf and football: “Just got to get up and move on” when bad shotasor bad plays happen
- In terms of Colorado news: ASU is willing to face whoever is in front of them and all recruits should want to come to ASU no matter who they’re playing
- Has had chemistry with QB Trenton Bourguet since Day 1 and they’ve continued to develop it, now living together as roomates
Arizona State’s Isaia Glass on New-Look O-Line, Being Physical, Going 3-9Â
Key Takeaways from Glass:
- Impression on OL Sione Finau (transfer from Purdue who came in summer): older guy, so he brought a lot of experience and didn’t have to be taught much
- Having a lot of experience on the line makes for good competition and guys already knowing the intro things, so can get into advanced stuff, which builds chemistry
- With a lot of linemen, including himself gaining weight, he said that being physical on the field is all a mindset no matter you’re weight
- “Everyone has it in the back of their brain:” the motivation of finishing 3-9 last season
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Brendan Mau is a college sports insider and general assignment reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on Twitter via @Brendan_Mau
