ASU football opened spring practice on Monday, and while some storylines lie within the turnover on the coaching staff and the player personnel, the biggest is the three-man competition for the starting quarterback spot.
Redshirt sophomore Manny Wilkins, redshirt freshmen Bryce Perkins and Brady White are all vying to replace Mike Bercovici as the team's starting signal caller, which will most likely be decided in the fall.
Perkins, who went to Chandler High School, said he has gotten more comfortable after a year of running with the scout team. He said the game started slowing down.
He said the bowl practices were a big help, too.
"During the season, being a true freshman, you don't really get a lot of reps, you're mostly in scout team," Perkins said. "In bowl season, getting those extra live reps definitely helps you progress as a player."
As expected, White said he feels comfortable with the team after a year at ASU.
One aspect of the competition he mentioned was not being individualistic, but working together for the team's sake. It is about continuing the leadership role previously held by Bercovici and Taylor Kelly.
"(I want to) bring us to be a close-knit team so once we go into season, we have each other's backs," White said.
Head coach Todd Graham lost key members like former offensive coordinator Mike Norvell from last year's staff, but said he liked the fresh feel of the new staff and the effect it is seeming to have on the program, though still early.
Perhaps most notable are offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey, defensive line coach Joe Seumalo and defensive backs coach TJ Rushing. Lindsey started with the team during its bowl prep last season, but is starting his first full year calling the plays.
"When there's new, it creates an energy and a synergy," Graham said. "We've laid a great foundation, and I feel like we've taken a step forward because we've gotten better in a lot of the areas because of the guys we've got teaching."
Graham and Lindsey both emphasized the team needing to improve on ball security after having 19 turnovers last year — 10 of those were fumbles lost.
But as the quarterback situation unfolds, Lindsey said leadership is going to be a big factor in the competition's winner.
"Who our team responds to," Lindsey said. "That's going to be something that's going to take some time to tell, I think. I don't think it's something that's going to show up on day one in helmets."
ASU is also experiencing some player personnel turnover. It will field four new starters on the offensive line and three of four in the secondary, Graham said.
Graham said he liked the spirit of Monday's practice and felt that everything fit well, noting that the energy and passion was palpable.
"We've done a good job of transitioning," he said. "I think it speaks about our ability to teach. We just got to realize that the challenge is we're starting from zero."
Notes
- Two of the notable number changes were junior running back Kalen Ballage switching from No. 9 to No. 7 and redshirt freshman quarterback Brady White flipping from No. 7 to No. 2.
- Redshirt junior wide receiver Cam Smith practiced without any restrictions after missing the 2015 season due to undergoing knee surgery.
- Kareem Orr, Armand Perry and Chad Adams were in the secondary. Graham said Gump Hayes also looked great at cornerback, but will alternate between the secondary and the backfield every other practice.
- Junior defensive end Christian Hill, a four-star commit from junior college, attended practice. There were questions about whether or not he would attend due to his need to finish time with the Air Force reserves.
Reach the reporter at Justin.Toscano@asu.edu or on Twitter @justintoscano3.
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