ASU football reports to Camp Tontozona Monday

Arizona State football has reported to Camp Tontozona for the week and azcentral sports’ Doug Haller is there, following the Sun Devils.

We’ll have updates and analysis from Monday’s practice here throughout the day and the rest of the week. 

Tontozona forecast

It’s summer on the Mogollon Rim, which means there’s a chance of rain every day at Camp Tontozona. 

Monday’s forecast calls for a 30-to-40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high temperature in the upper 80s and a low in the mid 60s.

That forecast holds steady throughout the week – with rain and storm chances increasing through the day – and Friday holds the greatest chance for a daytime storm, according to the National Weather Service. 

The forecast for Saturday’s scrimmage comes with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, partly sunny skies and a high near 86 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. 

ASU to remember Kush at ‘Camp T’

This will be the first trip to Camp Tontozona since the death of Frank Kush on June 22. The former ASU coach led construction of a football field at the camp in 1960 so his team could hold preseason workouts in cooler temperatures.

ASU players will plant a flag on Mt. Kush, across from the practice field, in Kush’s honor during their stay. Kush last attended Camp Tontozona in 2015 when the Sun Devils carried him off the field. The Sun Devils opened camp last year at Tontozona instead of practicing first in Tempe. 

“It’s really a cool deal,” ASU coach Todd Graham said of his sixth Camp Tontozona. “Get rid of your cell phones, no headphones, no TVs. It’s really a nice time, really come out there and compete. Our kids were really upset they couldn’t do the scrimmage on Saturday last year (due to rain). That’s a big deal to our guys.

“When we leave here and go up there, it marks a very, very important time. We’re going to get after it and practice hard, but there’s some great traditions. The most important thing is spending a lot of time around each other. Truth be told, I’d love to do that for longer.”  

Parking

Parking is limited all week. Parking for Saturday will be in a closed section on the eastbound side of SR260 near Camp Tontozona Road. Be sure to follow the message boards, speed-limit signs and event parking signs on SR260 to the designated event parking areas. Parking attendants will be placed at the entrance locations to direct guests to the correct parking area.

Sunday notes

• Because of the late Sunday practice, the team departure for Camp Tontozona was pushed back until approximately 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Practices are held are from 8:35-11:20 a.m. with players in full pads for the first time Monday.
• Sophomore wide receiver Jack Smith is out for the season with a back injury and likely not to play again. He is the son of baseball coach Tracy Smith.
• Defensive lineman Jordan Hoyt is out for up to three weeks with an injury that coach Todd Graham said is not major. Hoyt, a junior, was listed as backup to George Lea at nose tackle after spring practice.
• Quarterback Cameron Rising, a four-star quarterback from Newbury Park, Calif., was a visitor at practice Sunday. He is committed to sign with Texas after previously committing to Oklahoma. Rising’s brother Tyson is a Sun Devil junior offensive lineman. 
• Offensive line commitment Hunter Mayginnes of Chandler Hamilton High School also was on hand watching.
• Ryan Newsome and Jacom Brimhall were returning punts Sunday.
• Wide receiver N’Keal Harry, defensive back Evan Fields and linebacker Khaylan Thomas were out injured. QB Brady White, DL Jalen Bates, DB Demonte King and OL Marshal Nathe were in green non-contact jerseys.
• ASU practiced some inside the Dickey Dome on Sunday when temperatures climbed into the 90s with 61 percent humidity. Much of the first-week practices have been outdoors. “We just play it by ear,” Graham said. “Obviously, if there’s a heat warning, we’re not going to be foolish. Other than that, we’re going to get tough.”

Camp Tontozona Schedule

Monday: 8:35 to 11:20 a.m.

Tuesday: 8:35 to 11:20 a.m.

Wednesday: 8:35 to 11:20 a.m.

Thursday: 8:35 to 11:20 a.m.

Friday: No practice (Might be used as a make-up day in case rain cancels an earlier practice.)

Saturday: 9:30 a.m.-noon, followed by autograph session. 

Directions: Camp Tontozona is located at 235 S Camp Tontozona Rd., in Payson. From Phoenix, take 87N to Payson. Turn right on 260E and got 17 miles.