Aug. 1, 2012

Memories from Camp Tontozona (photos provided by former players)

TEMPE, Ariz. - The Arizona State football team will hold its first preseason practice on Friday under new head coach Todd Graham.

The Sun Devils welcome 104 players to preseason camp, including 16 returning starters (5 offense, 9 defense, 2 special teams) as well as Sun Devil senior linebacker Brandon Magee, who started the 2010 season but redshirted the 2011 season due to a season-ending injury suffered in preseason.

Other top returners to camp include senior running back Cameron Marshall and wide receiver Jamal Miles, as well as junior offensive lineman Evan Finkenberg, safety Alden Darby and defensive tackle Will Sutton.

Coach Graham arrived at Arizona State following a stint as Pittsburgh's head coach. During his coaching career, Graham has been a part of two of the NCAA's top single-season turnarounds in recent history. In 2003, Graham led a Tulsa team that was 1-11 the year prior to go 8-4 under his defensive leadership. As the linebackers coach in 2001 and co-defensive coordinator in 2002 at West Virginia, Graham helped improve the Mountaineers record from 3-8 to 9-4.

Arizona State will have split squad practices the first two days of camp with the veterans practicing in the morning session and the newcomers in the evening session. The team will have its first full squad workout in shells Sunday, Aug. 5.

The Sun Devil football team will return to Camp Tontozona on Tuesday, Aug. 14, for the first time since 2008. A Maroon and Gold scrimmage is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, on the team's last day at Camp Tontozona.

ASU opens the 2012 season on Thursday, Aug. 30, in Sun Devil Stadium against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. The following week the Sun Devils play host to Big 10 power Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 8, before they hit the road to face off with the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Sept. 15, in a rematch of the Sun Devils' 37-30 overtime win last season.

2012 ASU Preseason Camp - Practice and Key Dates
Friday, August 3 - Varsity practice (AM); Freshman/newcomers (PM)
Saturday, August 4 - Varsity practice (AM); Freshman/newcomers (PM)
ASU Football Media Day (1-4 p.m. at Dutson Theater and surrounding rooms, third floor, Carson Center)
Sunday, August 5 - Practice (shells)
Monday, August 6 - Practice
Tuesday, August 7 - Practice (pads)
Steve Patterson Media Brunch, 9:30-11 a.m. at Karsten Golf Course At ASU
Wednesday, August 8 - Practice (AM); practice (PM)
Thursday, August 9 - Practice
Friday, August 10 - Practice (AM); practice (PM)
Saturday, August 11 - Practice
Sunday, August 12 - Day off
Monday, August 13 - Practice (AM); practice (PM)
Tuesday, August 14 - Practice (AM)
Depart for Camp Tontozona 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 15 (at Camp Tontozona)
Practice 8:30-11 a.m. (public and fans are encouraged to attend)
Practice 3:50-6 p.m. (public and fans are encouraged to attend)
Thursday, August 16 (at Camp Tontozona)
Practice 8:30-11:00 a.m. (public and fans are encouraged to attend)
Friday, August 17 (at Camp Tontozona)
Practice 8:30-11:00 a.m. (public and fans are encouraged to attend)
Saturday, August 18 (at Camp Tontozona)
Practice 8:35-11:00 a.m. (scrimmage) (public and fans are encouraged to attend)
Sunday, August 19 - Day off
Monday, August 20 - Practice
Tuesday, August 21 - Practice
Wednesday, August 22 - Practice
Thursday, August 23 - Practice
*ASU fall classes begin today
Friday, August 24 - Practice
The Tempe Chamber of Commerce ASU Football Luncheon is 12 p.m.
Saturday, August 25 - Practice
Sunday, August 26 - Practice
Monday, August 27 - Practice
Tuesday, August 28 - Practice
Thursday, August 30
ASU vs. NAU, Sun Devil Stadium, 7:30 p.m.
(City of Tempe Night/Faculty-Staff Appreciation Night)