As a redshirt freshman quarterback starting for one of the most illustrious programs in college football history last year, in theory, ASU scout team signal-caller Steven Threet was living the dream.
But even maize and blue luster wears off when your skills don’t fit the scheme.
Threet, a 6-foot-5 strong-armed statue who transferred to the Sun Devils this year, was not a prototype of University of Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez’s perimeter-style passing attack.
Threet, who said that “mobility” is not one of his strong points, prefers ASU’s pro-style passing attack.
“It’s just a much better fit for me,” Threet said.
Threet, who started eight games last season and was able to throw for over 1,100 yards, will have to sit out the 2009 season due to NCAA transfer rules. He’ll have two remaining years of eligibility starting in 2010.
For now, he’s running ASU’s scout team.
“I’m just trying to help the team however I can,” Threet said.
Threet said the reason he chose ASU, besides the shotgun formations and pocket-oriented passing game, is because of his confidence in the coaching staff.
Saying all the right things, Threet is poised to make a run at the starting job next season. And given some of the throws he’s been able to make at practice, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise.
As Threet takes advantage of the adjustment year without the pressures of starting, he’s sure about one thing:
“Oh no, I’m not going to miss the winters of Michigan,” Threet said.
Suspensions
Due to NCAA privacy policies that are intended to protect the players, ASU cannot identify the specific infractions of the players who were suspended due to breaking team rules.
Erickson made it a point to emphasize a disciplinarian tone in his post-practice interview.
“I’m an old-time coach and been around for a long time,” Erickson said. “If people don’t do the right things in our program, they are going to get suspended, and that’s what happened. I’ve done it all my career, and [that’s how] it always will be.”
New-look Offense
From the looks of training camp, the ASU offense was condensed from last year.
“It’s not simple, but I understand it and can go from [point] a, to [point] b to [point] c,” Erickson said. “You will see a different offensive attitude out there.”
The new-look spread shotgun offense can ill-afford a poor showing in its unveiling game against one of the worst defenses in the Football Championship Subdivision last season.
“Anytime you don’t play like you should and you have a losing season, you want to make up for it,” Erickson said. “We’ll have that chip on our shoulder all year.”
Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu.
