The ASU football team returned to the Kajikawa Practice Fields on an uncomfortably warm Wednesday morning boasting effective offensive plays.
In the media viewing period, the offense looked sharp, with Manny Wilkins making solid throws.
Practice Notes:
During tempo drills, ASU decided to forego using any tight ends with the first team, going with two running backs instead. It seemed to be effective, as Wilkins connected with Ballage on a deep wheel route for a touchdown.
Wilkins has not always performed on the deep throws, but he tossed a perfect pass to Ballage that hit him in stride.
The Sun Devils also worked on a wide receiver screen to Humphrey that resulted in some chunk yardage.
In position group drills, they stuck to the normal routine, with wide receivers catching passes and offensive linemen hitting the blocking sleds.
This practice, ASU added a fumble recovery drill in which the ball was dropped on the ground and defensive linemen had to secure it as quickly as possible. The defenders were instructed to grab the ball and stay on the ground, as opposed to picking it up and running with it, which is more risky.
Here is what the Sun Devils' personnel looked like on Wednesday:
First-Team Offense
Quarterback: Manny Wilkins
Running Backs: Kalen Ballage, Demario Richard
Wide Receivers: N'Keal Harry, Jalen Harvey, John Humphrey
Tight Ends: No tight ends with first team during the media viewing period
Offensive Line: Steve Miller, Sam Jones, Cohl Cabral, Quinn Bailey, Zach Robertson
Defense
Defensive Line: JoJo Wicker, Tashon Smallwood, Alani Latu
Linebackers: Koron Crump, Christian Sam, DJ Calhoun, J'Marcus Rhodes (SPUR)
Defensive backs: Joey Bryant, Dasmond Tautalatasi, Chad Adams, Kobe Williams
Second-Team Offense
Quarterback: Blake Barnett
Running Backs: Trelon Smith, Eno Benjamin
Wide Receivers: Frank Darby, Curtis Hodges, Kyle Williams
Tight End: Jay Jay Wilson
Offensive Line: Mason Walter, Cade Cote, Tyler McClure, Alex Losoya, Zach Robertson
Defense
Defensive Line: Renell Wren, Shannon Forman, Dougladson Subtyl
Linebackers: Abraham Thompson, Malik Lawal, Khaylan Thomas, Tyler Whiley (SPUR)
Defensive Backs: Darien Cornay, Langston Frederick, Ty Thomas, Maurice Chandler
Green non-contact jerseys: Brady White (QB), Jordan Hoyt (DL), Jalen Bates (DL), Tommy Hudson (TE), Demonte King (DB), Ryan Jenkins (WR)
Muscle Beach (did not perform in drills): Evan Fields, Deion Guignard, Marcus Ball, Christian Zendejas, Jeremy Smith
Players on the scout team: Owen Rogers (DB), Alex Perry (DB), Kyle Soelle (LB), K.J. Jarrell (DB), Marshal Nathe (OL), D.J. Davidson (DL) There were more scout team players, but not all could be identified in the viewing period.
Correction: Zach Robertson was added to the offensive line list in the first team's lineup in response to an error made during the media viewing period.
Reach the reporter at mpharri7@asu.edu or follow @Harris_Mark7 on Twitter.
Like State Press Sports on Facebook and follow @statepressport on Twitter.
