ASU practice report: Seeking linebacker depth

Arizona State held its sixth spring practice Friday at Sun Devil Stadium, completing the second of five weeks of spring workouts.

My report

Coach Todd Graham opening statement: “I thought our guys competed well today. We’ve got a lot of install in, lots of explosive plays today. Last practice offense won, today the defense won. Lots of good work.”

Attire: Pads.

Media viewing period: 30 minutes.

Personnel

Limited: QB Bryce Perkins, S Marcus Ball, CB Kareem Orr, OL Cade Cote, RB Eno Benjamin, DB Dasmond Tautalatasi.

Out: S Armand Perry, QB Brady White, TE Jay Jay Wilson, WR Cam Smith, LB Drew McIntyre.

Avoiding fatals 

After the first two weeks of spring practice, new defensive coordinator Phil Bennett believes the front seven has “a chance” to be good although more linebacker depth is needed and that the secondary “better be” improving like coach Todd Graham said it is.

“We’ve put a lot of stuff in,” Bennett said. “We’re a work in progress, but getting better.”

The second team defense was not good Friday, Bennett said, but the No. 1 defense returned two takeaways for touchdowns (during a period not open to the media). He sees progress in limiting explosive plays that have plagued ASU over the last two seasons, and the Sun Devils are drilling extensively on back pedal and other techniques critical to pass coverage.

“Knowledge is power, you have to know your ability,” Bennett said. “When I was at LSU, I had a 4.7 (40-yard time) safety that could cover Eddie Kennison (a future NFL wide receiver who ran a high 4.2/low 4.3 40) because he had knowledge. He knew when to back pedal, when to weave, when to break. My job is to take those drills and as we’re watching team say what drill is this. You can’t do BS drills. These kids are smart. They’ve got to see the drills you’re doing and want to get better.

“The thing we’ve got to do, however fast (cornerback) Kareem Orr is, I’ve got to get him to play faster. However fast Mo (Chandler, also a corner) is, get him to play faster. You’ve got to play with your mind and your technique fundamentals. It’s crucial.”

In Bennett’s final game at Baylor, the Bears won the Cactus Bowl 31-12 over favored Boise State, not allowing a touchdown the final 90 seconds, forcing three turnovers and recording four sacks.

WEDNESDAY: ASU practice report

“We gave up six points (not counting field goals) in 91 snaps,” Bennett said. “They had 388 yards, but we kept the ball in front of us. Make them earn everything they get and still be aggressive. Sometimes you’re going to give up 10 or 12 yards or maybe even a 40, but it can’t be fatal (go for a touchdown).”

Bennett already is sold on veteran defensive linemen Tashon Smallwood and JoJo Wicker and linebackers Christian Sam and DJ Calhoun as well as Devil backers Koron Crump and A.J. Latu. The development of players such as George Lea, Jordan Hoyt and Renell Wren up front and linebackers Malik Lawal, Khaylan Thomas and Deion Guignard, moved from defensive back, is crucial to the depth and overall soundness of the front seven.

Hoyt is a transfer from UC Davis who redshirted last season. Guignard came from Tyler Junior College (Texas) and played in six games as a sophomore in 2016. He returned an interception for a touchdown Friday and also has been recording some tackles for loss, catching the eye of Wicker.

“I’m more confident and humbled,” said Wicker, now a junior. “It’s a different feeling than last year. It’s just calm. We know what we have to do to win now, and I feel like we’re going to get it done. I’m not saying we’re going to be perfect at everything, but it’s going to be a lot better.

“Sometimes you’ve got to be patient. Maybe it just wasn’t our time (in 2015 or ’16). We’re ready to work and approach it a different way and ready to learn.”

Be better than before 

“We’re not interested in anybody being what they were before,” Graham said when asked about the return of Sam, who missed all but one game last season due to injury. “We’re interested in them being better. I’m proud of how they’re working toward that.”

Sam played in 12 games as a true freshman backup in 2014 then started in 2015 when he was the second leading tackler (98).

“He’s got the talent box checked and is responding well,” Graham said. “That’s an experienced group (linebacker) and a talented group. It’s great to have him back out here.”

Watch this video to hear new wide receivers coach Rob Likens when he was using a microphone during a recent practice. “We’re going to hit the field like Braveheart,” Likens says. “Attack, let’s go.”

Graham said Likens, who also has the title of co-offensive coordinator, is “a phenomenal person and receiver coach. I’ve got great confidence in him.”  Likens formerly was at Kansas and California.

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Quick hits

Former ASU football coach Dirk Koetter, in town for NFL meetings, stopped by to visit with friends from his Sun Devils years (2001-06). Koetter, going into his second season as Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach, talked after practice with Todd Graham and offensive coordinator Billy Napier.

Linebacker coach Keith Patterson was celebrating the birth of a grandchild Friday.

Up next

The Sun Devils will practice at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Kajaikawa practice fields. All practices are closed to the public other than the spring game April 15.

Contact Jeff Metcalfe at 602-444-8053 or at [email protected].