ASU football enters the 2015 season with arguably its greatest incoming freshman class in recent memory. In addition, it brings in several newcomers such as Tim White and Devin Lucien that are set to make an immediate impact.
However, Graham told reporters after Monday's practice that being a "salesman" has little to do with recruiting a successful football program.
"In recruiting, your players are going to be the best recruiters," Graham said. "It's not about some cracker jack recruiter or all that. Obviously we're going to go by the rules. We're going to do everything by the book. What's happened is we've built a really solid program.
"I'm proud of this program, and I think that we've got an incredible product to offer young men that have character, that seek integrity and want discipline and want to be successful in life. I think that that's just a product of your works. That's what I like about it. You're going to be evaluated on your works. If it's all about a gimmick, all about trying to be the great salesperson, it's not who the best salesperson is in the living room. It has nothing to do with it, in my opinion. It has to do with being diligent and finding the right guys. We've done that."
Graham's profile has grown tremendously at ASU, where his reputation has changed from program-hopper to one of the best coaches in the Pac-12.
"Most people didn't know who I was (when I first got to ASU)," Graham said. "What I love about this business, about college football and being a teacher is you reap what you sow. We've came in and didn't worry about all that stuff and didn't worry about any gadgets or quick fixes. We just went to work and started building a program."
Additional Practice Notes:
- ASU head coach Todd Graham said that the team had begun game-week simulations, with Monday equaling a Tuesday in game-week sessions. He said he is beginning a new tradition this season called "Fundamental Tuesdays" which special teams coordinator and associate head coach Shawn Slocum used with the Green Bay Packers.
- The Sun Devils opened the season ranked 15th in the AP poll, which Graham offered his thoughts on Monday.
"People always say, 'Preseason rankings don't matter,'" Graham said. "Yeah they do (matter). because it means you finished pretty good last year. I think it's really all about where you finish last year and respect. We finished last year 12th in the country. Does it matter? Yes it does. It means you're doing some good things as a program. Does it have any effect on this year? No."
- ASU's first opponent, Texas A&M, announced Monday that Arizona native Kyle Allen will be the starting quarterback for the season opener.
- The media were only able to watch one session of 11-on-11 during Monday's practice. He's how they lined up:
First-Team Offense
QB: Mike Bercovici
RB: Demario Richard
WR: D.J. Foster, De'Chavon Hayes and Devin Lucien
TE: Kody Kohl
LT: Evan Goodman
LG: Christian Westerman
C: Nick Kelly
RG: Vi Teofilo
RT: Billy McGehee
First-Team Defense
DL: Tashon Smallwood, Demetrius Cherry and JoJo Wicker
"Will" linebacker: Christian Sam
"Devilbacker:" Antonio Longino
"Sam" linebacker: Salamo Fiso
"Spur" linebacker: Laiu Moeakiola
Field corner: Kweishi Brown
Boundary corner: Lloyd Carrington
Bandit safety: Jordan Simone
Field safety: Armand Perry
Second-Team Offense
QB: Manny Wilkins
RB: Jacom Brimhall
WR: Eric Lauderdale, Gary Chambers and Ellis Jefferson
TE: Raymond Epps
LT: Zach Robertson
LG: Scout team
C: Scout team
RG: Connor Humphreys
RT: Quinn Bailey
Second-Team Defense
DL: Emanuel Dayries, Renell Wren and Edmond Boateng
"Will" linebacker: Carlos Mendoza
"Devilbacker:" Jay Jay Wilson
"Sam" linebacker: Chans Cox
"Spur" linebacker: DeAndre Scott
Field corner: Kareem Orr
Boundary corner: Ronald Lewis
Bandit safety: James Johnson
Field safety: Chad Adams
- "PT42" jerseys: Redshirt senior safety Jordan Simone and redshirt sophomore safety James Johnson
- Redshirt junior wide receiver Fred Gammage was out of a green non-contact jersey for the first time since before Camp Tontozona after dealing with a hamstring injury.
- Redshirt freshman right tackle Sam Jones was in a green non-contact jersey Monday after seeing a trainer at the end of Saturday's practice.
- All four ASU quarterbacks dressed out in grey jerseys. Freshmen Brady White and Bryce Perkins had previously been wearing gold scout team jerseys.
- Scouts from the St. Louis Rams and New York Jets were at Monday's practice.
Related Links:
ASU football running backs coach Bo Graham resigns; Josh Martin appointed as replacement
ASU football wide receiver Gary Chambers relishes role as team leader
Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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