Speak Of The Devils

There's no slowing down this offseason. We begin with an interview with new ASU defensive lineman Jalil Rivera-Harvey (8:13) before opening up the listener mailbag and answering questions on the NCAA investigation, coaching candidates, copper, NIL, and more. We also get great insight into the Sun Devil softball situation with D1Softball.com's Brady Vernon (44:10) and then get a great look at ASU football's season opening opponent from NAU head coach Chris Ball (1:34:01)

So much work goes into getting to Saturday.   Recently honored for his work as one of the nation’s elite strength and conditioning coaches, Joe Connolly has made a major impact over his four years in Tempe. Far beyond just weights and sprints, ASU utilizes a data-driven, wholistic approach that incorporates cutting-edge techniques in developing Sun Devil football players. On this episode, Connolly discusses the team’s gains this offseason, how leadership is forged in the weight room, the process of developing athletes, latest trends and new frontiers in sports science, and much more.

It's been an eventful year for Bobby Wade. One of the greatest high school players in Arizona history who went on to be one of the most productive receivers in Arizona Wildcats history, Wade had crossed Territorial Cup lines in recent years to work in a couple of different roles on Arizona State's staff. However, once news of the NCAA investigation broke last offseason, ASU placed wide receivers coach Prentice Gill on leave and Wade was elevated to take over the group on an interim basis. Following the 2021 season, the interim tag was removed and Wade was made the program's permanent wide receivers coach. Now headed into 2022, Wade is overseeing a significant rebuilding effort of the position. After a back half of the season that saw major passing game struggles, the Sun Devil lost 5 scholarship receivers, including the three top targets from a year ago. Add in a brand new offensive coordinator and scheme, a brand new to be determined QB, and the Sun Devil passing game has a lot of questions to answer this fa

With a talented backfield and questions around the passing game, ASU's ground game will be looked at to carry the load in 2022. Given Shaun Aguano's results since taking over as the Sun Devils' running backs coach, his group figures to be up to the task. On this episode, Aguano discusses the 2022 stable of backs, their roles in the new offense, the pressure of helping a developing passing game, how NIL and the portal have changed coaching, strengthening local recruiting, how he's evolved as a coach, and much more.

Bah gawd, King! That’s Sparky’s music! In honor of our 316th episode, we take a Stone Cold-themed look back at the year that was for Sun Devil sports. Here's what drew a "Hell yeah!" and what left us saying "What?!"

It's been an eventful year for Sun Devil Athletics. The ongoing pandemic, NIL, the transfer portal, big wins, an NCAA investigation, postseason runs, and some vocal fan discontent have kept the plate of ASU Athletic Director Ray Anderson full. On this episode, Anderson goes in depth on ASU's NIL strategy, the status of the NCAA investigation, key wins over Arizona, critical Pac-12 and NCAA issues, the next major changes in college sports, and much more.

There's no getting around it...it's been a rough stretch for Sun Devil sports, especially football. But recently, there has been some good news. After a run down of some notable developments across the baseball, softball, and basketball teams, we dive into the key additions made by the football team. We then talk to one of them, wide receiver Cam Johnson (45:39), and then get an inside look at new ASU quarterback Emory Jones from G. Allan Taylor of The Athletic (1:18:27).

Just a few short seasons ago, the ASU defensive line was...to put it charitably, a question mark. But under the tutelage of position coach Robert Rodriguez, it's developed into a team strength and one of the best groups in the Pac-12. And, in a win for ASU's Pro Model, defensive tackle DJ Davidson was drafted by the New York Giants. Heading into the 2022 season, Rodriguez has another deep and talented group of players, but is also dealing with some uncertainty, as star tackle Jermayne Lole is the the transfer portal. He could be back, or he may leave, but Rodriguez's track record suggests that the Sun Devil DL should again be stout and disruptive. On this episode, we discuss his group of linemen, how NIL and the portal have changed coaching, recruiting, how he's evolved as a coach, and much more.

It's a chaotic new world of college football, and Arizona State finds itself in a precarious spot. After a rundown of the newest NFL-bound Sun Devil alums, we talk with a pair of recent commits: Iowa State transfer Joey Ramos (36:53) and 2023 quarterback Izzy Carter (1:00:07). We then dive into a detailed and frank discussion on ASU's issues with transfer portal losses and NIL (in)action.

ASU's 2022 spring practice slate is in the books. So what did we learn from those 15 sessions? With Hod Rabino and Cole Topham of DevilsDigest.com joining us in studio, we discuss the questions answered, the breakout players, the remaining concerns, and much more.

It's no secret. Coming off last season, Arizona State's offense needed some help. So with an eye at making a step forward, plus the arrival of a new offensive coordinator, head coach Herm Edwards brought in a big name to help out his attack. Brian Billick reached the pinnacle of the sport when he guided the Ravens to a Super Bowl title in just his second year at the helm back in 2000. That team, of course, is known for having one of the greatest defenses in league history, with Marvin Lewis serving as Billick's defensive coordinator. But Billick had made his name in the years prior as an innovative offensive mind, most notably as the architect of the 1998 Vikings offense, still one of the most potent attacks in league history. Following his tenure in Baltimore, which would earn him a spot in the franchise's Ring of Honor, Billick has had a successful run as a television analyst. Now, he brings his experience to Arizona State. In January, Billick reunited with Lewis when he was hired by Edwards to serve as a

ASU's spring practices are more than halfway in the books. There have been some interesting developments, and some questions that remain unanswered. After a look at the latest Sun Devil news, we discuss the latest and get great insight from Cole Topham of DevilsDigest.com (18:09).

Spring ball is in full swing. After a look at the latest news, we talk with ASU freshman wide receiver and former Saguaro HS star Javen Jacobs (17:42) about his first practices as a Sun Devil and his goals for the season. Then we dive into the developments from Arizona State's first practices and what to look for going forward.

Recruiting is the lifeblood of every program, and the changes to the recruiting landscape in recent years have been seismic. Add in the complications of the ongoing NCAA investigation, and Arizona State’s recruiting operations find itself in an interesting position.   In February, ASU hired Andy Vaughn to be the programs new Associate Athletic Director for Football Player Personnel and Recruiting. Vaughn has had a lengthy and successful career, with stops including Clemson, Nebraska, Arizona, and most recently a three-year stint at Miami.   On this episode, we discuss why he took the job in Tempe, how he’s reshaping ASU’s recruiting efforts and strategy, addressing the program’s challenges in local recruiting, NIL impact and how ASU plans to be a player in the space, roster management, and much more.

It's the main event of spring practices, one that nobody was expecting just a few weeks ago. As the Sun Devils hit the practice field, all eyes are on the quarterbacks. New offensive coordinator Glenn Thomas will be overseeing a hotly contested competition for the newly vacated starting QB job following the transfer of Jayden Daniels. There are young players looking to make their mark. A former blue chip transfer from Alabama has folks buzzing. And a local Arizona standout with a remarkable story is also looking to lay claim to the job. Football has always been what Trenton Bourguet did. He was even drawing up playbooks as a kindergartener. With a football IQ off the charts, and a bright future ahead as an offensive coordinator, Bourguet came to ASU as a walk-on leading the scout team, rose to win the No. 2 job, and now has a chance to become ASU's starter in 2022. On this episode, we discuss the competition, his rise up the charts, leadership, the new scheme, playmakers to watch out for & much more.

Life comes at ya fast. In December, ASU felt they were in good shape when Jayden Daniels announced he was coming back for a fourth season as the starting quarterback, and a third under offensive coordinator Zak Hill. Fast forward a bit, and the Sun Devils have a new OC and spring practices are now featuring a wide open quarterback battle to replace the departed Daniels. One of the contenders to take over the reins of the Sun Devil offense is newcomer Paul Tyson. The great grandson of college football icon Bear Bryant, Tyson was a heralded recruit who landed at Alabama. There, he played as a reserve and was part of a national championship team. However, after last season he entered the portal, considered Arizona State, and in January decided to become a Sun Devil On this episode, we discuss why he chose ASU, the lessons learned from Nick Saban, championship culture, his skillset & fit in the new scheme, the QB competition and much more.

Spring is in the air, and Sun Devil football is back. After a look at the results of ASU’s Pro Day, we talk to two Sun Devil draft hopefuls and hometown heroes: Tyler Johnson (14:51) and D.J. Davidson (20:44). Then we look ahead to spring practices and break down the key position battles and storylines to track over the next 15 practices.

Arizona's State's local recruiting efforts have been a popular target for fans for quite a while. There's a lot of validity to those views, but that doesn't mean that the Sun Devils haven't been able to keep quality local talent in the state. Just in recent years, D.J. Foster, N'Keal Harry, Chase Lucas, and Case Hatch have been among many other standouts making their hometown proud. Heading into 2022, there's another looking to join that list. The son of a former Sun Devil, Isaia Glass opted to stay true to ASU a year ago, and made a promising mark on the field as a true freshman. With a year under his belt, he's looking for a big role this fall. On this episode, we dive into the family's ASU legacy, developing in the trenches, the hometown hero factor, the finer points of pass pro, the 2022 season and much more.

It was the touchdown heard around the world. Jackson He's historic score in 2020 made gained him international attention. Unfortunately, an injury derailed his 2021 season, and He is now in the transfer portal. I caught up with the charismatic running back to discuss the decision, his plans moving forward, and to look back on his time at ASU.

An offseason full of change for Sun Devil football included the resignation of defensive coordinator Antonio Pierce. To fill that key role, head coach Herm Edwards turned to a familiar face. Donnie Henderson's long career has included previous stops both at ASU and as Edwards' defensive coordinator with the New York Jets. Last season, he stepped in as the Sun Devils' secondary coach, and after briefly returning to an advisory role, Henderson was tabbed to take over the reins of the retooled, but very promising, 2022 defense. On this episode, we discuss this new tenure as Edward's DC, why he came back, scheme changes, the returning and new personnel, spring practice goals, and more.