The Arizona State football team officially concluded its spring workouts with a two-hour session as part of the annual Fan Fest and Spring Game held at Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday.
More than 4,600 fans came out for Saturday's festivities, which included several fan interactive features, an autograph session and youth football clinic.
After starting off the game with some entertaining drills, the team then transitioned into scrimmaging. Although there was not tackling in the standard offense-versus-defense situations, fans were still able to come away with a glimpse of the great potential the team has for succeess when the count games this fall.
"I think we did a lot of good things defensively and a lot of good things on offense," ASU head coach Todd Graham said. "(There were) a lot of explosive plays. John Humphrey really showed up well. It was exciting and fun and we tried to put on a good show for our fans."
On the offensive side of the ball Graham said he liked what he saw from both Manny Wilkins and Blake Barnett at the quarterback position.
"I thought both of them did a good job managing the game and taking care of getting everyone lined up," Graham said. "Obviously we were pretty basic in what we were doing, but it was a good day."
In addition to the play of the quarterbacks, Graham said there were several other positive takeaways from the offense this spring, particularly at the other skill positions, wide receivers and running backs.
"I was very impressed with John (Humprey)," Graham said. "Blake [Barnett], Manny [Wilkins] both had some incredible throws, but John's impressive. Both him and Ryan Newsome had a great spring. Jalen Harvey has probably been as good a stand-out this spring... Our receivers have been impressive as have our running backs. I think Nick Ralston, Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard have been excellent. Ryan and John are going to give us some added speed."
On the defensive side of the ball Graham said he saw consistent improvement from the unit, which is under the direction of first-year defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, throughout the spring.
"I think the most improved unit has been our back end," Graham said. "We've improved every single day defensively. The good thing is that we're (Graham and Coach Bennett) very similar. It wasn't a big change for our players because philosophically I learned from Coach [Bennett] 30 or so years ago. He's been unbelievable. The defense has been impressive all spring. We've got to continue to develop depth and continue to get better."
Graham said there was a definite sense of accomplishment not only with what he saw on the field, but also off the field with his coaching staff.
"I think we had a great spring, it was really productive," Graham said. "I thought our staff did a great job and we're really pleased where we're at right now.
Although formal team sessions are now complete until fall training camp begins, Graham said the team must maintain the same focus that made spring football such a big success.
"The biggest thing is keep developing our hard-core discipline and identity," Graham said. "Keep working hard and putting in the time. It is all about the team and I like this team. It's not about the talent, it's about the team. These guys have been very disciplined this spring and I think we have gotten better."
Graham was not the only one who gave a thumbs up to Saturday's Fan Fest and Spring Game. Watching from the stands, Sun Devil fan Kyle Russel said there were plenty of things to be excited about.
"The energy was good. I saw a lot of positive reactions from the crowd. They really liked what they saw on the field," Russel said. "It's exciting to be back. It's a new start, and I think that's how the fans feel. Every year is a new chance to prove yourself. I know the fans are excited."
Added another Sun Devil fan, Richard Baca, "I like the fact that there was an open spring game again that we could come and watch, it was great to come out and actually see the players in action. It's fun to see the new coaches, it's fun to see all the new transfer guys who get to play this year, so the experience was good today. Perfect day for football, too."
The Sun Devils open the 2017 season on Thursday, August 31 when they host New Mexico State at Sun Devil Stadium.
More than 4,600 fans came out for Saturday's festivities, which included several fan interactive features, an autograph session and youth football clinic.
After starting off the game with some entertaining drills, the team then transitioned into scrimmaging. Although there was not tackling in the standard offense-versus-defense situations, fans were still able to come away with a glimpse of the great potential the team has for succeess when the count games this fall.
"I think we did a lot of good things defensively and a lot of good things on offense," ASU head coach Todd Graham said. "(There were) a lot of explosive plays. John Humphrey really showed up well. It was exciting and fun and we tried to put on a good show for our fans."
On the offensive side of the ball Graham said he liked what he saw from both Manny Wilkins and Blake Barnett at the quarterback position.
"I thought both of them did a good job managing the game and taking care of getting everyone lined up," Graham said. "Obviously we were pretty basic in what we were doing, but it was a good day."
In addition to the play of the quarterbacks, Graham said there were several other positive takeaways from the offense this spring, particularly at the other skill positions, wide receivers and running backs.
"I was very impressed with John (Humprey)," Graham said. "Blake [Barnett], Manny [Wilkins] both had some incredible throws, but John's impressive. Both him and Ryan Newsome had a great spring. Jalen Harvey has probably been as good a stand-out this spring... Our receivers have been impressive as have our running backs. I think Nick Ralston, Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard have been excellent. Ryan and John are going to give us some added speed."
3 for 3! @Manny_Wilkins5 connects again with @TEAM_JHUMP for their 3rd TD.
— Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) April 15, 2017
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On the defensive side of the ball Graham said he saw consistent improvement from the unit, which is under the direction of first-year defensive coordinator Phil Bennett, throughout the spring.
"I think the most improved unit has been our back end," Graham said. "We've improved every single day defensively. The good thing is that we're (Graham and Coach Bennett) very similar. It wasn't a big change for our players because philosophically I learned from Coach [Bennett] 30 or so years ago. He's been unbelievable. The defense has been impressive all spring. We've got to continue to develop depth and continue to get better."
Graham said there was a definite sense of accomplishment not only with what he saw on the field, but also off the field with his coaching staff.
"I think we had a great spring, it was really productive," Graham said. "I thought our staff did a great job and we're really pleased where we're at right now.
Although formal team sessions are now complete until fall training camp begins, Graham said the team must maintain the same focus that made spring football such a big success.
"The biggest thing is keep developing our hard-core discipline and identity," Graham said. "Keep working hard and putting in the time. It is all about the team and I like this team. It's not about the talent, it's about the team. These guys have been very disciplined this spring and I think we have gotten better."
Graham was not the only one who gave a thumbs up to Saturday's Fan Fest and Spring Game. Watching from the stands, Sun Devil fan Kyle Russel said there were plenty of things to be excited about.
"The energy was good. I saw a lot of positive reactions from the crowd. They really liked what they saw on the field," Russel said. "It's exciting to be back. It's a new start, and I think that's how the fans feel. Every year is a new chance to prove yourself. I know the fans are excited."
Thank you to all the fans that came out today! See you guys August 31st! #FanFest #SpringGame17 pic.twitter.com/Hy3s6AUhOQ
— Sun Devil Football (@FootballASU) April 15, 2017
Added another Sun Devil fan, Richard Baca, "I like the fact that there was an open spring game again that we could come and watch, it was great to come out and actually see the players in action. It's fun to see the new coaches, it's fun to see all the new transfer guys who get to play this year, so the experience was good today. Perfect day for football, too."
The Sun Devils open the 2017 season on Thursday, August 31 when they host New Mexico State at Sun Devil Stadium.