Heading into this season, redshirt freshman right tackle Adam Tello was ready to get his feet wet.
Now, though, Tello is being asked to make a splash.
One day before the start of fall camp, projected starting right tackle Richard Tuitu’u left the team. That opened an immediate hole to fill.
“I was excited, and at the same time, I was wondering what happened,” Tello said of being told he would be starting.
“I knew I had to rise to the occasion, so that’s what I am trying to do.”
From the first day of camp, the 6-foot-4-inch, 289-pounder knew that he was going to be an integral part of a scrutinized offensive line.
Like many of his teammates, Tello experienced something new Saturday night.
He was one of 22 players who made their first career appearance for the Sun Devils in the team’s opener against NAU.
“It was definitely an amazing experience,” Tello said.
“I was kind of nervous on the first play, but once you get into the groove, it’s just like practice again.”
Tello said the offensive line is making progress as a unit.
“We’ve definitely progressed a lot, just technique-wise,” he said. “The protection is a lot easier this year, so that’s made a big difference.”
Singfield earns starting job
After a hotly-contested battle for a starting cornerback spot, walk-on junior transfer Pierre Singfield earned the assignment over junior Terell Carr in ASU’s season-opener.
“He was a little more consistent, basically, all through spring ball and through camp,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “That basically was what the final decision was made on.”
Jones hurts Achilles', others recovering
Senior wide receiver Michael Jones sprained his Achilles’ while warming up for practice Tuesday night and will have an MRI Wednesday.
Trainers believe that it is a mild sprain, and he should be probable for Saturday’s game.
Senior running back Keegan Herring dressed for practice Tuesday night but was limited during the workout.
Herring participated in individual work during the beginning of practice but sat on the sideline during most of the team drills.
Senior wide receiver Nate Kimbrough injured his ankle against NAU Saturday and did not dress for practice on Tuesday.
In other injury news, senior safety Angelo Fobbs-Valentino, who was injured during a special teams play Saturday, had an MRI on his knee Tuesday, but Erickson did not yet know the results.
Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu.
