ASU redshirt sophomore running back Deantre Lewis felt a little winded this week.
He participated in team sessions Tuesday for the first time since the first week of fall camp.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Lewis said. “A little sore, but other than that, I feel like my body is ready to go out there.”
Lewis was limited as a precaution due to muscle strains. He wore a green non-contact jersey and was a regular at Muscle Beach with running back Cameron Marshall.
He mainly worked on his conditioning and rehabbing his legs during the last two weeks. Lewis was shot in his upper left leg on Feb. 12, 2011, and used his redshirt last season.
“At first I didn’t think it was even possible for me to come back,” Lewis said. “I didn’t realize it until the spring when I was being pushed by these coaches that it’s still possible and I can get better.”
Lewis feels his speed and power are there, but that he needs to get his stamina back up. He said he’s gained a few pounds and needs to get back in shape, but he’s pushing himself everyday to be ready for the season opener against NAU on Aug. 30.
“Early on when he first got here it's been a night and day difference between the spring and fall,” running backs coach Larry Porter said. “He's had a couple of setbacks with injuries, but now it's just about him settling into a role that helps our offense.”
Lewis will be competing for reps in a backfield loaded with talent. Lewis said he’s always liked competition because it makes him better.
No matter his role, Lewis said he’ll be a little emotional when he hits the field next Thursday for his first regular season game since the 2010 season.
“I’m just going to take the field like I always take the field — I’m going to be ready and I’m going to bring it,” Lewis said.
Wadood strips green jersey
Sophomore cornerback Rashad Wadood finally took off the green non-contact jersey Wednesday.
Wadood participated in 7-on-7 drills Tuesday with a green jersey, sharing second-team reps at boundary corner with redshirt sophomore Kevin Anderson, and he returned to full contact Wednesday.
He’s been sidelined since an MCL tear he suffered last season against Washington State. He also had shoulder surgery in the offseason. Wadood suffered a shoulder subluxation the second week of fall camp. That’s when the shoulder dislocates and then goes back into the socket. He said it’s not the first time this has happened.
“It feels good, I hated that green jersey,” Wadood said. “I hate being injured. I hate being out.”
Wadood said he didn’t trust his shoulder at first, but once he overcame the mental battle, he felt fine.
“I was ready to get the white (jersey) back to show that I’m fully healthy so that everyone could know that I was healthy,” Wadood said.
Wadood said he was trying to get mental reps while he was limited in fall camp. He said he watched extra film to stay ready. He was also limited in spring camp.
With the absence of cornerback Devan Spann, the Sun Devils are thin at cornerback. Wadood is listed behind Anderson, who made the switch to cornerback less than a week ago, on the depth chart.
It is unknown how quickly Wadood can get on the field, but he said he’d contribute anyway he can.
“It’s all about the team,” Wadood said. “It’s not really about me so whatever I got to do to keep my body healthy so that I can help my team out, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Reach the reporter at mtesfats@asu.edu