ASU Football: Practice Report (8/2)

There were Friday night lights at the Kajikawa Practice Fields as ASU went through day three of fall camp.

Next Practice: Sunday, August 4

Last Practice: Thursday, August 1

Injury Update

Just like the last two days, the same players were dealing with injuries on Friday night. Linebacker Stanley Lambert, defensive lineman Stephon Wright, and defensive lineman Shannon Forman all had on green non-contact jerseys. Offensive lineman Zach Robertson is also still out with “personal matters.”

Additionally, wide receivers Geordon Porter and John Humphrey are both still sidelined with hamstring issues.

Regarding the wideouts, head coach Herm Edwards had this to say:

“The guy has got a lot of speed, but the problem is he has been injured,” said Edwards of Humphrey. “I always tell players, it’s one thing to be coachable, but if you are not available, you can’t be coachable...He and Porter have hamstrings and that’s always a tough deal...They are going to be out for a while. Hamstrings are tough and we aren’t going to try and rush anybody.”

What Went On

It was another day, and another chance for the quarterbacks to separate themselves on day three. Perhaps the strongest performer out of the group on Friday was freshman Joey Yellen, who looked very comfortable while taking first team reps.

He also had the best throw of the night during 7-on-7’s when he threaded the needle over the middle of the field and over the outstretched hands of a safety and into the breadbasket of redshirt senior wide receiver Ryan Newsome.

Newsome coasted into the endzone.

Being that he wears the No. 18, it’s understandable that Yellen’s favorite signal-caller is Peyton Manning. With the way he has been poised in the pocket, the Mission Viejo native continues to show up.

“Joey, he has changed his whole body since the spring,” Edwards said. “He’s very poised...He’s a smart quarterback and he’s got great arm strength and he did some good things. It was good to watch him play and he’s gotten better since the spring. There’s no doubt.”

As for Yellen’s freshman counterparts, Jayden Daniels had a few incompletions but he made a couple nice plays with pressure in his face by finding junior halfback Eno Benjamin with a couple of release valve throws.

Ethan Long took more reps at receiver, but he also had a nice gain at quarterback when he pulled the ball back on a zone read and sped through the middle of the field in 11-on-11’s.

Redshirt junior quarterback Dillon Sterling-Cole also had a couple of notable throws during 7-on-7’s when he found Newsome on an out route, and he also delivered a nice pitch and catch over the middle to senior wideout Kyle Williams.

On defense, the starting cornerback combination of redshirt junior Chase Lucas and senior Kobe Williams was evident. Both DB’s had a couple of pass break-ups, and Williams nearly jumped a Yellen pass for an interception during 11-on-11’s.

If there was one area for concern, it was with a couple of botched snaps. With Robertson out and senior Cohl Cabral still slid over at left tackle, there were a few instances of inaccurate snaps with redshirt freshman o-lineman Jarrett Bell.

Nonetheless, Edwards didn’t seem concerned, and he thinks the most important ingredient is just to get more reps at center.

“It’s a new guy..It’s the first time we had pads on too,” Edwards said. “It makes a difference. All of a sudden now, someone is going to strike you trying to hike the ball. We’ll be okay. We’ll find a way.”

When describing the first night with pads, Edwards emphasized that it was important for older players to show the freshmen the ropes. He had this to say about the subject:

“I thought tonight, for the first time with shells, everything we do is controlled,” Edwards said. “The freshmen guys, they haven’t practiced like that before. We understood the tempo and I think we did a good job. We didn’t have a lot of people on the ground, which is important...Our veteran guys kind of knew and they had to take the lead on this to show what the practice is and what the tempo is. They did a nice job.”

In off the field news, the team will have an off-day tomorrow with some treatment and rest. Edwards is flying out to Canton for the National Football League Hall of Fame induction ceremonies to be there for Kevin Mawae, Tony Gonzalez, and Ty Law, all players who he formerly coached.

He also recalled when he used to go to the event while with ESPN and he would play golf with host Trey Wingo. With a smirk, Edwards stated: “I’m glad I am here coaching. That’s for sure.”

First Team Offense

QB: Jayden Daniels

RB: Eno Benjamin

WR: Brandon Aiyuk, Kyle Williams, Jordan Kerley

TE: Tommy Hudson

OL: Cohl Cabral (LT), Alex Losoya (LG), Jarrett Bell (C), Cade Cote (RG), Steven Miller (RT)

First Team Defense

DL: Jermayne Lole, DJ Davidson, George Lea

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

CB: Kobe Williams, Chase Lucas

Tillman: Tyler Whiley

S: Cam Phillips, Aashari Crosswell

Second Team Offense

QB: Joey Yellen (took first team reps as well)

RB: Isaiah Floyd

WR: Tannor Park, Ethan Long, Keith Davis

TE: Jared Bubak

OL: Ralph Frias (LT), Cody Shear (LG), Dohnovan West (C), Roy Hemsley (RG), Spencer Lovell (RT)

Second Team Defense:

DL: Roe Wilkins, Corey Stephens, Michael Matus

LB: Ely Doyle, Case Hatch, Kyle Soelle

CB: Jordan Clark, Darien Cornay

Tillman: Evan Fields

S: Alijah Gammage, Willie Harts