Diablos del Sol | Arizona State Sun Devils

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Keeley, Johnson Embracing Friendly Competition In Camp

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Former SEC recruits 'raising the bar' for ASU defense

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The Devil's Due Mailbag — Season Preview By Diego Alfaro

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Published: March 18th, 2026

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One thing that Charlie Weis Jr. wanted to do in the transfer portal was add talent from the SEC, for two reasons.

"One, you know that usually they've got talent. Just because they can't crack the rotation at Alabama, or Georgia, doesn't mean you can't play. It just means the level of competition is that much higher," rationalized Weis Jr. after another grueling day of camp.

"But secondly, they come from an environment of excellence. And before anyone clips this—I'm not saying there isn't one already here. What I am saying, is that when you come from an environment like Georgia, or Alabama, or LSU—you're used to competing. Every day, every practice, every rep is a battle. And it's designed that way. I wanted to get guys in here that knew that standard, embraced it, and exemplified it."

"I think we got the perfect group to do that," added the first-year head coach confidently.

The talk of the defense has been how much the standard has changed, according to CJ Fite, the senior defensive tackle who has spent his entire career in Tempe.

"You just feel it in the air," remarked Fite, "There's just a tension we didn't see in years past. We aren't out there getting reps in, we're competing already. Every rep is a challenge."

Martell Hughes has continued to be a leader as one of the veterans from last year. Luke Ferrelli and Myles Graham have been impactful shoring up the middle of the defense. But when you poll the Arizona State defensive coordinators—from Antonio Pierce, to Joey Porter Sr., to Freddie Roach—two names always start the conversation.

Keon Keeley and Quintavius Johnson.

"They're just bulldogs," glowed Roach when speaking about them, especially Keeley whom Roach coached for one season at Alabama while he was the DL coach and Keeley a freshman recruit.

"Each rep, they're out there battling. They don't take a play off and that type of leadership inspires everyone else. First, they're competing to get the first sack. Then the first strip sack. Then the first one to beat a double-team," laughed the longtime defensive line coach.

"They just don't stop."

One of the biggest worries for the Sun Devils defense going into 2027 was the fact that all of their major contributors moved on in the offseason.

But with the influx of SEC talent, and attitude, the Sun Devils should be more than alright going into 2027 and beyond.

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Wide Receiver Room Being 'Challenged' By Hines Ward As Camp Nears Close

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Lots of talent, but someone needs to separate themselves according to the longtime position coach

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The Devil's Due Mailbag — Season Preview By Diego Alfaro

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Published: March 19th, 2026

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There is a lot of talent in the Arizona State wide receiver room. Raiden Vines-Bright is the most accomplished returning Sun Devil, but he isn't the only one with a pedigree. Cam'Ron Lacy put together an equally productive season with Middle Tennessee last year, but from there the productivity takes a steep dive.

Jaren Hamilton has the tools and was a difference maker on special teams last year, but didn't have much action in the passing game last year. Derek Eusebio and Cory Butler Jr. have talent, but didn't break through onto the field last year.

Then, the Sun Devils added Zay Robinson and Jerome Bettis Jr. in the portal.

What the Sun Devils have is a lot of talent, and question marks. Which is exactly why Hines Ward has been challenging the entire group to separate themselves from the pack.

"Each day, I'm out there harping on one guy," laughed the Hall of Fame wide receiver. "Each day I pick one. 'Are you gonna be the one to replace Reed[Harris]? How about Big O[Omarion Miller]?' Some guys swell up and try and stand out, which is the point. You want to spark that fire under them."

"The problem, and it's a good one to have, I don't want to sound like I'm complaining," said Ward, "Is they are all unique."

"Cam'Ron is a great route runner. Raiden is that shifty slot guy you love. Ham's got that speed on the outside to take the top off. Bettis Jr. will do the dirty work in the middle, set the edge in the run game. Zay has that breakaway speed to turn a slant into a touchdown. Eusebio and Butler Jr. excel at doing damage between the hashes, finding a soft spot in the zone and sitting down."

"The challenge is finding ways for all of them to contribute. It's a fun part, but also something you know you have to get right to make sure everything is clicking."

Where the speculation stops however, is when you talk about the former QB turned weapon Austin Carlisle.

"He's just so athletic, it's almost like a cheat code," laughed offensive coordinator Ra'Shaad Samples. "He's making guys look silly out there, he just evaporates into thin air sometimes."

When pressed how the Sun Devils plan to deploy their secret weapon, Samples brought his cards close to the vest.

"You'll find out when the rest of the nation does," laughed the former Oregon coordinator.

For now, Hines Ward is pushing his wide receiver corps, hoping that one person emerges as the go to.

"Lots of pieces are great, they truly are. But at the same time, you need that dog that you go to on third down and the red zone. The guy that when you gotta have it, know he's going to deliver."

When I pressed Ward for who he thinks will grow into that role, the former pro showed his veteran experience.

"The one that wants it the most," he said with a grin.

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Maroon Beats Gold In Spring Game

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Maroon out-duels the Gold team 24-21 with drafted teams

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The Devil's Due Mailbag — Season Preview By Diego Alfaro

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Published: April 11th, 2027

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Instead of the traditional first-team vs. second-team format most spring games undergo, Charlie Weis Jr. opted for a different approach.

"We've got a ton of position battles across the board, and a lot of guys who are going to be rotating in and out of the lineup," explained Weis Jr. before the Sun Devils annual Maroon and Gold game.

"Instead, we pulled names out of the hat. Each position group went into the hat, and we pulled jersey numbers until they were evenly split. Then, we went to work."

Austin Mack was the quarterback for the Gold team, throwing three touchdowns in the contest including a pair of jump-balls to Jerome Bettis Jr. who outmuscled Zashon Rich to pull in the scores.

But while Mack had Bettis Jr., who generated the most production out of the wide receiver room, Jake Fette on the Maroon team had Kyson Brown and Austin Carlisle, and that proved to be the difference.

Kyson Brown rumbled for 85 yards on just seven attempts, scoring two touchdowns, while Carlisle took a screen pass 75 yards to the house for Fette's only touchdown of the game.

But the biggest stats Sun Devil fans will be excited about regarding Fette? No interceptions.

"It's what we've worked on all spring. Limiting mistakes, maximizing opportunities," remarked Fette after the game.

While the quarterbacks got all the shine, both defenses had marquee plays as well.

Keon Keeley and Quintavius Johnson ended up on opposite teams, giving them the perfect opportunity to continue their spring-long rivalry. The winner?

"He got it this time, but only cause I had to go up against MacKenny," joked Keeley, who finished with one sack, while Johnson nabbed a pair on Jake Fette and notched three tackles for loss.

For all the talk of the offense, the defense held its own.

When you've got a spring game that ends 24-21 with no turnovers, that means some sound football was being played on both sides. The offense was timely, but the defenses limited the big plays and nabbed a few of their own with timely sacks.

With the spring game concluded the Sun Devils will continue to prepare for the 2027 season, with Camp Tontozona looming in a few months time.

[The JZA]

My guy want some of that 'Austin Carlisle Tap Water'

Definitely a solid recruiting board with a nice round of top 500s