Arizona State kicked off their spring football practice under the blazing Arizona sun, and it was a day full of adjustments and promise.
With temperatures soaring, the equipment staff and student managers were on top of their game, ensuring players stayed cool with water sponges. For the returning players, this was just another day in the Valley heat.
But for the newcomers, it was a taste of what’s to come in August and September. The sweltering conditions took their toll, with some new faces visibly feeling the burn, hands on hips or heads, as they pushed to get into peak football shape.
One Division I transfer even fell ill towards the end, though whether the heat was the culprit remains a mystery.
On the field, there were intriguing developments. Senior defensive end Clayton Smith, standing tall at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 255 pounds, was spotted practicing at wide receiver.
Joining him was Reed Harris, a 6-foot-5 transfer from Boston College, adding even more size to the receiving corps. Head coach Kenny Dillingham seized the moment, finding former Sun Devil star receiver Jaelen Strong, who was attending practice, to share his plans.
Dillingham is looking to revive the back-shoulder fade, a move Strong perfected during his time at ASU. With Smith and Harris, particularly Harris with his impressive catch radius, the Sun Devils have the potential to make this play a staple of their offensive arsenal.
The first practice was a blend of adaptation and anticipation, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.