On a night where the running backs shined, one newcomer stood out in ASU football’s spring game — De’Chavon “Gump” Hayes.
The 5-foot-11 redshirt junior put on a show in front of more than 5,000 fans and many more watching on the Pac-12 Networks as he and sophomores Demario Richard and Kalen Ballage alternated reps in the backfield.
Even though the play-calling was admittedly dull and monotonous, there was plenty to take away from a personnel standpoint – most notably the combination of offensive depth, size and speed that can line up in the slot, in the backfield, or on the edges.
“Our depth is pretty good,” Hayes said. “Everybody just stepped up and did their job, and helped produce to put us in a situation where we’ll be able to win ballgames.”
Head coach Todd Graham said that Hayes definitely would have played last season had he been eligible, but it didn’t hurt for him to acclimate to the high-octane offense in Tempe and the culture of a rapidly ascending program that has set its sights on a national championship.
“I got mentally smarter, physically stronger,” Hayes said. “I got the playbook down and I’ve gotten more focused.”
In his first series, Hayes dropped a pass after beating redshirt senior safety Jordan Simone for what would have been an easy touchdown on a deep ball from redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici.
Whether it was jitters or nerves, Hayes still has some room to grow, also muffling a few punts when taking reps in drills earlier.
But Graham acknowledged that the veteran back has potential.
“(Hayes) showed some explosiveness today,” Graham said. “We had one right there at the start, you’ve (just) got to reach out and catch it with your hands.
Playing alongside Ballage and Richard, two large power backs that have above-average speed and agility for their size, Hayes can potentially see snaps that would have gone to senior wide receiver DJ Foster, who remains a running threat in smaller offensive packages – jet sweeps or end-arounds.
“I’ve learned a lot from playing with (Ballage and Richard),” Hayes said. “They brought me in like family and we’ve sat down and watched film together. So now it’s all coming together and clicking.”
Hayes did get a chance to put in work almost everywhere, as he’s been doing for most of spring practice to this point.
“I’m a versatile back,” Hayes said. “I can line up at receiver, slot receiver, kick returner, punt return.”
Allocating touches evenly to three running backs will be difficult, but Hayes’s flexibility provides him with a chance to see more action in a system where multiple offensive weapons will be relied upon to collectively produce in the absence of a certain star receiver.
“I’m going to get in certain formations where I’ll get the ball, and some where I’ll be used to block,” Hayes said. “I’m just going to do my best to help the team win."
As most players of specific position groups do, Hayes has gotten close with his fellow running backs, even if he’s two years older than Ballage and Richard and still adjusting after an extended offseason.
“We all come together as a (unit) in practice,” Hayes said. “We just stay focused on trying to help each other. We’re like brothers.”
Video by Devin Conley | Multimedia Reporter
Even with months to go before the season starts in September, there’s already plenty of confidence to go around for the Sun Devils in spring camp, particularly among the running backs.
“This running back group is very special,” Ballage said. “It’s going to be a hard time for anyone trying to stop us.”
Reach the reporter at smodrich@asu.edu or follow @StefanJModrich on Twitter.
