Speak of the Devils

Following ASU's physical fifth practice of their spring slate, we caught up with EDGE Clayton Smith and defensive coordinator Brian Ward.

After a very intense and physical practice, ASU's first in full pads this spring, we catch up with WR Melquan Stovall and RB DeCarlos Brooks.

Week 1 of ASU's spring football practice is in the books...and the latest chapter of Sun Devil hoops heartbreak has been written. We break down the notable early developments on the gridiron and the fallout of the NCAA Tournament loss with Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com (53:15). Then hear the first public comments from ASU QB Jaden Rashada he gave after Saturday’s practice.

The first week of spring practice is in the books. On this edition of the Spring Ball Quick hit, we talk with a pair of Sun Devil quarterbacks. First up is returning starter Trenton Bourguet, and then, for the first time, you'll hear from blue-chip signee and ASU legacy Jaden Rashada.

Following ASU's second practice of the spring, we caught up with a pair of newcomers that are looked at to make a big impact this season, linebacker Travion Brown and safety Xavion Alford.

Spring ball is underway. Following the conclusion of ASU's first practice, we caught up with Sun Devil offensive tackles Aaron Frost and Isaia Glass.

As spring practice nears, ASU held a media lunch to give us a chance to talk to the coaches and players on the leadership council. Hear from TE Jalin Conyers on how he's looking to elevate his game after a breakout 2022, and then offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin breaks down how he'll run the QB competition and work with Kenny Dillingham on designing the offense.

The new ASU coaching staff under Kenny Dillingham has a little bit of everything: Veterans with impressive track records who have coached around the country, a few with deep ties to the local high school community, and dynamic young coaches shooting their way up the ranks. It also has a man who is making his debut as an on-field coach...but who has already made a major impact on the sport. Still in his early 30s, Bryan Carrington earned a reputation as one of the nation's best recruiters during a career that has taken him from Houston to Texas to USC and most recent to TCU, where he helped build the Horned Frogs into a national title game team. Since 2016, Carrington has signed 11 five-star recruits. And he's making the move to the coaching ranks, taking on the task of leading the Sun Devil cornerbacks. In this episode, Bryan and I discuss his roots of his passion for recruiting and building relationships, why he came to ASU, reuniting a dynamic recruiting tandem with Ra'Shaad Samples, the Devils corners, the best wings in the Valley and much more.

Much has been made about how Kenny Dillingham is the youngest head coach in the Power 5. But the funny thing is...he's not even the youngest guy on the staff. To fill the role of wide receivers coach, Dillingham tabbed a man who held the distinction of being the youngest position coach in the NFL in 2022. Ra'Shaad Samples was once a blue-chip wide receiver prospect whose college career was unfortunately cut short due to concussions. But since moving into the coaching ranks, his rise has been meteoric, making his way from Houston to Texas to SMU to coaching the running backs for the Los Angeles Rams at the tender age of 27. He'll now be tasked with coaching the Sun Devil wide receivers as well as resuming his role as one of the nation's most dynamic recruiters. In this episode, Ra'Shaad and I discuss his quick rise through the coaching ranks, lessons from the NFL, the Sun Devil WRs, the keys to his success of the recruiting trail, and much more.

The fresh start for Sun Devil football is much needed in many ways. On the field, the reset comes at a perfect time for the defense, which last year posted one of the most disappointing seasons in recent memory. When new ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham was assembling his staff, he targeted a man who had mad his life miserable earlier in the year to be his defensive coordinator. As Washington State’s DC last year, Brian Ward had put together an aggressive and attacking unit that ranked among the best in the conference and left a big enough impression that it landed him a new job back home in his native Arizona. Now in Tempe, Ward will look to replicate that success and make the hometown fans happy. In this episode, Brian and I discuss returning to the Valley, his defensive philosophies, his coaching influences, spring practice goals, his brief (but undefeated) pro boxing career, Valley burritos, and much more.