True freshman Jaden Rashada will be named ASU football’s starting quarterback for their opener against Southern Utah at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Thursday, Aug. 31.
The news comes after a summer-long quarterback battle between Rashada, redshirt junior Trenton Bourguet, who started for much of last season, and Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne, who injured his hamstring earlier this month.
Rashada first made headlines when he committed to the University of Florida reportedly with the promise of a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal worth nearly $14 million, an amount much higher than most known NIL deals. Soon after, the deal fell through, and Rashada unenrolled from Florida and reopened his recruitment. He soon committed to ASU, where his father Harlen Rashada played football for three years as a defensive back.
Jaden Rashada said after practice Saturday that he was ready for any outcome regarding head coach Kenny Dillingham’s decision as to who will start between himself and Bourguet.
“I’m not really looking at anything like a competition,” he said. “Whatever happens happens. I’m just trying to grow every day and be the best version of myself.”
On an Arizona Sports podcast on May 31, Dillingham described Rashada as “addicted to trying to be better,” and said Rashada constantly texts him while watching extra practice film. Dillingham also praised his humility as a player who came to ASU with significant national attention.
“(He) understands that he’s not going to come in there and people are going to instantly respect his leadership and knows that he’s got to work for that respect,” Dillingham said during the podcast.
Dillingham first developed a relationship with Rashada when he attempted to recruit him to Oregon while he was still offensive coordinator at the university.
“(Dillingham) is a big reason I ended up here (at ASU)” Rashada said. “I’m just blessed to be in the position I am with great coaching and great teammates around me, but it’s definitely helped me a lot having coach Dilly.”
Edited by Alfred Smith III, Alexis Waiss and Shane Brennan
Reach the reporter at awakefi3@asu.edu and follow @_alexwakefield on Twitter.
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