Practicing on a field with no cell phone service that’s surrounded only by tall pine trees, the ASU football team is secluded.
Coach Todd Graham would not want it any other way.
The Sun Devils started their practices at Camp Tontozona in Payson, Ariz. Wednesday morning.
“It’s heaven up here,” Graham said. “This is a magical place. I’d like to practice here every day.”
Former ASU head coach Frank Kush even came to visit the team. Graham said Kush told the team that Tontozona was created to help the team become a family.
Players are getting the same vibe from the camp.
Redshirt junior receiver Alonzo Agwuenu talked about being surrounded by teammates the entire time and sharing a room with six other receivers and running backs.
“It’s a bonding experience,” Agwuenu said. “I think we needed this as a team to get closer and closer especially this close to the season.”
The same bonding is happening on the other side of the ball.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Carl Bradford said he is also focused on bonding with his teammates during the camp.
He especially wants the older veteran players to bond with the freshmen that they may not know too well.
“Come together more as one, is our main focus,” Bradford said. “I think that will relate on the field very well to know that guy’s got my back.”
The football field, bunk houses and mess hall are located in the Tonto National Forest and offers the players a chance to experience some nature.
Bradford said he enjoys the practice atmosphere.
“I’m an outdoors guy, so I love being around the open. I feel free,” Bradford said. “I like the nice breeze. You don’t get this in Tempe.”
The linebacker group explored the nearby sights and experienced some ASU history Tuesday afternoon. Bradford said when they arrived the linebackers took a hike down to the natural swimming pool next to the field.
They swam and did some cliff jumping. Bradford said Pat Tillman used to jump off the same small cliff so the linebackers wanted to experience the jump.
Before leaving for Tontozona Graham said that he would see players sitting next to each other at lunch and both of them would be on their phones not talking to each other.
He was excited for the team to go somewhere without cell phone reception.
Graham said it was a different atmosphere in Payson.
“I liked it last night,” Graham said. “The guys were all together walking around, sitting by a campfire talking. I haven’t seen a person on their cell phone.”
The Sun Devils will have a second practice Wednesday afternoon. Then they will have two more practices Thursday and Friday morning.
Camp Tontozona concludes with a scrimmage Saturday morning.
