The countdown continues — 18 days until ASU football opens their 2015 season against Texas A&M at NRG Stadium in Houston, Tex.
Head coach Todd Graham likes where his team is at.
Unlike most seasons, which have begun against FCS opponents NAU, Sacramento State and Weber State, the Sun Devils open 2015 against a high-profile SEC West opponent.
Graham said Tuesday's session was the "best we've had here," telling reporters that it's time to gear down for the season opener.
"For some reason, when we turned on the crowd noise (at the Verde Dickey Dome), they got all cranked up," Graham said.
Graham was complimentary of redshirt senior linebacker Antonio Longino, who worked with the first team at "Devilbacker" for the second straight day in the brief time that media was able to view practice.
"He was practicing like an All-American today," Graham said. "He set a new standard — best we've ever had a linebacker practice here."
Freshman defensive end Jalen Bates impressing
ASU head coach Todd Graham said one unexpected name popped to the front of Tuesday's practice — freshman defensive end Jalen Bates.
"Man, he is flat," Graham said. "I told him, 'We already had you on the redshirt board. Now you can forget that.' He really had a great day. I don't know if (not redshirting) is for sure, but I tell you I was just impressed."
Bates adds something that has been lacking for ASU throughout fall camp — pass rush.
"Explosive pass rush," Graham said. "That's what we're needing. We're needing that defensive end, 'Devilbacker' that can be explosive in the pass rush and he has shown that."
Graham said Bates, who has primarily been working with the third-string, worked with the second team before moving up to eventual first-team snaps.
"He started with the twos, but he sacked the quarterback so many times we put him with the ones," Graham said.
Bates said he is fulfilling what he expected when he first signed with ASU.
"My goals are to get 10 sacks (this season) and win my position battle," Bates said. "That's what I'm trying to do."
Running back depth
Graham added that he expects none of the running backs outside of potentially freshman running back Jason Lewis to redshirt in 2015.
Lewis, who joined the team just days before Camp Tontozona, remains up in the air.
"We haven't made a decision yet on him, but he's been here three or four days and he's looked pretty good," Graham said.
Additional Notes:
- Graham said he expects junior college defensive line transfer Deonte Reynolds to arrive and join the team Tuesday night.
- "PT42" jerseys: redshirt senior safety Jordan Simone, redshirt senior cornerback Lloyd Carrington and redshirt sophomore safety James Johnson.
- "Flame" helmets: Simone, Carrington, Johnson, junior kicker Zane Gonzalez, redshirt junior tight end Kody Kohl, redshirt senior guard Christian Westerman, redshirt senior linebacker Antonio Longino, redshirt senior quarterback Mike Bercovici, senior wide receiver D.J. Foster, senior center Nick Kelly, sophomore defensive back DeAndre Scott, sophomore running back Demario Richard, sophomore linebacker DJ Calhoun, redshirt sophomore linebacker Marcus Ball, sophomore safety Armand Perry, senior cornerback Kweishi Brown, sophomore defensive lineman Tashon Smallwood, sophomore running back/linebacker Kalen Ballage, redshirt junior linebacker Salamo Fiso, sophomore linebacker Christian Sam, redshirt sophomore linebacker A.J. Latu, sophomore defensive back Chad Adams and redshirt junior linebacker Laiu Moeakiola.
- Green non-contact jerseys: junior wide receiver Cam Smith, redshirt junior tight end Dan Vear, redshirt junior wide receiver Fred Gammage, redshirt sophomore tight end Grant Martinez, redshirt freshman safety Coltin Gerhart and freshman offensive lineman Dillon Faamatau.
- Notable Guests: The Pac-12 Networks were in Tempe for their conference preview series Tuesday, with guests such as former Sun Devil quarterback and current analyst Jake Plummer. ASU men's basketball coach Bobby Hurley was also in attendance.
Reach the reporter at fardaya@asu.edu or follow @fardaya15 on Twitter.
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