The ASU football team’s return to Camp Tontozona was as much about restoring a tradition as it was about helping the team build camaraderie. Junior college transfer safety Chris Young is a player that has impressed on the field with his blitzing ability. However, Young was not the most talkative player and fall camp has given him the necessary timeframe to acclimate himself to the team.
“When he first came in here he was super quiet,” junior safety Alden Darby said. “When we would talk and laugh he’d be off to the side, but once he started seeing that we were all big kids he started to get closer and now he’s all the way in. Now I see a guy that works hard and will give it his all to win. I love playing with him.”
Young was unable to join the team in the summer and came in a bit out of shape according to safeties coach Chris Ball. However, the Arizona Western Community College product is continually adjusting to Division I football.
“At first it was rough,” Young said. “It was hard to get used to, now its gotten way better than when I first started out.”
While Young is listed as a safety, the ASU defense has multiple looks and formations and the 3-3-5 stack defense will present him with plenty of playmaking opportunities. Young enjoys playing in the stack, but more importantly, he likes playing defense.
“I just like defense period,” Young said. “The fact that we get to come off the edge and be physical is exciting. I’m a firm believer in ‘defense wins championships.’ I take that to heart.”
The stack is effective because it allows the defense to have more athletes on the field at a time and it also makes it easier to switch between 30 and 40 fronts.
Like Young, Darby likes the versatility of the new defense and feels lining up in various spots on the field will contribute to a strong defensive season.
“I like the stack from my position in particular,” Darby said. “There’s a lot of down stuff, I blitz off the edge and a lot of man. I love that the coaches have made the defense around each player. They didn’t just say here’s the defense.”
Receivers and defensive backs impress:
As the ASU football team continues to bond as teammates and progress as a team at Camp Tontozona, two position groups have caught the attention of Graham.
“The wide receivers at Tontozona have been the most improved group,” Graham said. “Most improved group all of camp has been the defensive backs.”
Darby agrees with Graham and credits summer workouts for the mid camp progressions.
“I would have to agree with him,” Darby said. “We were working hard in the summer. We didn’t take any days off. We have something to prove out here.”
As for the receivers, both senior Rashad Ross and freshman Rick Smith had strong practices.
Ross was the first player Graham mentioned after practice and said Ross, along with the rest of the receiving corps, are putting forth better effort and improving on fundamentals. Ross caught a touchdown pass over redshirt junior Robert Nelson and also hauled in a 98-yard touchdown pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Taylor Kelly during an 11-on-11 team session.
Notes:
- During one drill the entire offense stopped to do “up-downs” and sophomore quarterback Mike Bercovici, who was off to the side and not expected to do them, elected to do them on his own.
- For the second day in a row walk-on kicker Jon Mora kicked field goals with the first team and was followed by redshirt sophomore Alex Garoutte and Dillon Jackson.
- Redshirt sophomore running back Deantre Lewis originally arrived to practice in street clothes before returning a few minutes later in pads. However, Lewis spent practice at “muscle beach” and did not participate in any drills.
- During seven-on-seven freshman safety Laiu Moeakiola hit redshirt junior receiver J.J. Holliday and immediately apologized because it was a non-tackling drill. Graham quickly countered: “Don’t apologize for hitting someone.”
- Asudevils.com has reported redshirt junior linebacker Matt Tucker has asked to be released from his scholarship and intends to transfer.
- Payson Mayor Kenny Evans, Vice President for University Athletics Steve Patterson and former coach Frank Kush were among those in attendance.
