ASU FOOTBALL

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball

Mar 22, 2024, 2:49 PM

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college footb...

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

(AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

TEMPE — Arizona State football coach Kenny Dillingham will hold his players to a higher standard than in his first year at the helm starting with spring ball, which kicks off Tuesday.

“Everybody knows we want to go out there and compete every day,” Dillingham said. “That’s just who we are. It’s who I am. That’s who this team’s always going to be. … There’s only one way you do things, and that’s all in. And that’ll be from now until forever.”

Quarterback Jaden Rashada will reportedly miss spring ball after having surgery on his thumb, which he injured in a non-football-related incident.

“Hopefully, by the end of spring ball, he’s taken some seven-on-seven reps and some non-team reps, dipping his toe in the water,” Dillingham said.

With Rashada out, the only two active quarterbacks on the roster this spring are redshirt senior Trenton Bourguet and former Michigan State quarterback Sam Leavitt, who announced his transfer from the Spartans in December.

It will also be the first season for ASU’s new offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. The head coach at UNLV from 2020 to 2022, Arroyo was named ASU’s offensive coordinator shortly before Leavitt’s transfer.

Dillingham says he and Arroyo will have about a “60-40, 70-30” split when running the offense. Multiple signs will be changed from last year, and different verbiage will be used throughout the offensive system.

Injuries, especially along the line, were a big problem for the Sun Devils last season. However, Dillingham believes ASU will have a surplus in spring after adding four offensive linemen in the transfer portal this offseason.

Dillingham says the dreaded injury bug was one of the biggest problems for the defense, even preventing the Sun Devils from practicing to their fullest capabilities after two weeks of the season.

“In year one when we were banged up like we were, you can’t do a lot, and that’s not a good situation,” Dillingham said. “When teams can run the ball but you don’t have enough depth or enough system knowledge to be able to change up looks like you want to, that’s a horrible combination.”

ASU brought in 23 transfers this offseason, 13 of which play defense. Defensive back Cole Martin (Oregon), defensive lineman Jacob Kongaika (Arizona), and defensive lineman Jeffrey Clark (Louisville) are among those looking to stand out next season.

Martin, a 4-star recruit out of Basha High School in Chandler, transferred after one season with the Ducks. As a true freshman in 2023, he appeared in every game and finished with 21 tackles, two passes defensed and an interception.

Dillingham said Leavitt and Martin both bring “a lot of juice.”

Dillingham also talked about NIL and the unprecedented improvement he’s seen in its support in Tempe. However, even with the improvement, there is still a lot more that can be done.

“The progress we’ve seen is unbelievable to be honest. From the last game of the season to today, I can’t even put in words how much growth we’ve had …” Dillingham said. “Now the difference is everybody’s growing. That’s the challenge … So we have to move at a faster pace than everybody else because we started behind the race. … But we are definitely (headed) in the right direction.”

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

ASU Football

Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo...

Brandon Cadiz

ASU football’s Cam Skattebo headlines PFF’s top 101 college players

Arizona State's Cam Skattebo was near the top of the list in PFF's top 101 college players from last season. Leavitt and Tyson also crack the list.

2 days ago

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham says he wants a covered area to practice in...

Damon Allred

ASU’s Kenny Dillingham eyeing a facility change for better efficiency

Kenny Dillingham on Friday said ASU is in the process of getting a covered area for practice that's connected to the football facility. Players currently shuttle to practice fields on the other side of Rural Road.

3 days ago

Tempe brewery NIL...

Arizona Sports

Tempe brewery signs sponsorship and NIL deal with ASU

Tempe-based Huss Brewing Co. announced it has signed a multifaceted sponsorship deal with Arizona State University, which includes the creation of a Sun Devil specific ale.

6 days ago

ASU's Kenny Dillingham and Sam Leavitt...

Damon Allred

Kenny Dillingham needs ASU hungry for fall 2025, details offensive tweaks

Kenny Dillingham has a tall task in front of him in getting ASU to sustain good football into 2025 and prove its magical 2024 was not an aberration.

6 days ago

Wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan #4 of the Arizona Wildcats runs during the second half against the ...

Brandon Cadiz

Mel Kiper Jr: Tetairoa McMillan a top 10 prospect, Cam Skattebo outside top 5 RBs in NFL Draft

Mel Kiper Jr. has Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan as a top-seven prospect and Arizona State's Cam Skattebo top 10 in his running back rankings.

6 days ago

Larry Fitzgerald...

Damon Allred

Larry Fitzgerald praises Kenny Dillingham following ASU offer to son Devin

Larry Fitzgerald threw some credit Kenny Dillingham's way following his son's recent offer to be a Sun Devil.

6 days ago

Kenny Dillingham talks Jaden Rashada injury, revamped roster ahead of spring ball