(Photo: Jacob Garcia/WCSN)
With one rainstorm already dumped on the Tempe practice fields and another one lurking in the distance, Tuesday’s football practice was moved to the indoor bubble.
Perhaps it was the change of scenery or the uncharacteristic conditions, but head coach Todd Graham acknowledged the lack of energy at today’s practice and would not accept any excuses.
“I got after them pretty good today,” Graham said. “I thought we showed a lot of immaturity; didn’t practice very well defensively. We got one practice today, you think we could come out and practice with a passion.
“It’s my job to get them to practice. It was just the way it started off. Their body language, little immaturity here and there, and that’s where we’re showing our inexperience. This is the first day that hasn’t met my expectations from an effort standpoint,” he stated.
Ball back in business
While the collective effort from the Sun Devil squad may have not met Graham’s unwavering expectations, the return of safety Marcus Ball to a white, full-contact jersey was certainly an encouraging note.
“Marcus is a great communicator,” Graham said. “(He is) a guy who’s a leader even though he’s very young and a guy who has great ball skills… Marcus is a guy who I have a lot of faith and trust in—tremendous character. We just have to get him a lot of reps.”
Ball, a redshirt freshman, made a strong case last year for the starting boundary safety position before a season-ending shoulder injury squashed his bid to start as a true freshman.
“I haven’t really hit anybody or played since August 16 of 2013,” Ball said. “So I’m just trying to get the rust off. I’m doing really well as of right now, but we play soon so I have to get the rust off quickly. I’m obviously anxious just because I haven’t played in so long.
“(I can bring) a lot of leadership to be honest,” he continued. “Obviously being out there (on defense) on the back end, you have to be a vocal guy. We’re the quarterbacks of the defense essentially. I have a little bit of rust as far as man coverage. But, as far as our scheme, I am definitely confident with it and confident in myself.”
Graham did acknowledge that Ball has a ways to go before regaining game speed, and thus was placed with the second-team defense today. Nevertheless, the lingering feeling is that a fully healthy Marcus Ball starting at boundary safety would be ideal and would fill a big hole on defense.
Practice Notes
– Linebacker Carlos Mendoza remains on crutches
– Running back Kalen Ballage was back in a maroon jersey
– Despite being deemed the front-runner for the Devilbacker position at the beginning of fall camp, Chans Cox ran with the scout team during Tuesday’s practice.
– First team offense included both De’Marieya Nelson and Kody Kohl, suggesting that an offensive package with a two-tight end set will likely be in store.
First-Team Defense
Defensive Line: Marcus Hardison (End), Jaxon Hood (Nose Tackle), Tashon Smallwood (Tiger), Antonio Longino (Devilbacker)
Linebackers: Laiu Moeakiola (SPUR), Salamo Fiso (SAM), DJ Calhoun (WILL)
Cornerbacks: Solomon Means (Boundary), Lloyd Carrington (Field)
Safeties: James Johnson (Boundary), Damarious Randall (Field)
First-Team Offense
Quarterback: Taylor Kelly
Running back: DJ Foster
Wide Receivers: Jaelen Strong (X), Cam Smith (Z), De’Marieya Nelson (tight end), Kody Kohl (tight end)
Offensive Line: Jamil Douglas (left tackle), Christian Westerman (left guard), Nick Kelly (center), Vi Teofilo (right guard), Tyler Sulka (right tackle)
Second-Team Defense
Defensive Line: Edmond Boetang (End), Demetrius Cherry (Nose), Corey Smith (Tiger), Marcus Washington (Devilbacker)
Linebackers: Zeke Bishop (SPUR), AJ Latu (SAM) Christian Sam (WILL)
Cornerbacks: Armand Perry (Boundary), Kweishi Brown (Field)
Safeties: Jordan Simone (Boundary), Marcus Ball (Field)
Second-Team Offense
Quarterback: Mike Bercovici
Running back: Deantre Lewis, Demario Richard
Wide Receivers: Ellis Jefferson (X), Gary Chambers (Y), Fred Gammage (Z)
Offensive Line: Evan Goodman (Left Tackle), William McGehee (Left Guard), Stephon McCray (Center), Devin Goodman (Right Guard), Sam Jones (Right Tackle)
Follow Jacob Garcia on Twitter @Jake_M_Garcia or connect with him on LinkedIn.
