Speak of the Devils

Welcome back to the postseason, Sparky! Despite a late-season slide, Arizona State baseball is heading to a NCAA Regional for the first time since 2021. Joined by Jack Loder, we discuss the journey back to the postseason and preview the action in Los Angeles (32:48). We also get to know two recent Sun Devil commits: 2026 linebacker Mason Marden (4:35) and wide receiver transfer Akim Lanieux (54:34).

The regular season ended with a thud. Can the Devils rally? After a look at the recent football commits, we dive into the situation with Willie Bloomquist's baseball team. Joined by guest Jack Loder, we examine the state of the team as they aim to end the program's postseason drought.

The Werewolves are on the prowl in Tempe. Arizona State's linebackers were one of the key reasons for the Sun Devils' Big 12 championship-winning run, and with most of key contributors back in 2025, position coach and Valley native A.J. Cooper's group is primed for a title defense. On this episode, A.J. and I discuss the rewarding grind of coaching, the impact of the program's culture, a detailed breakdown of the players in the room, the value of a second year in the scheme, and much more.

ASU's defensive resurgence in 2024 was spurred by several new faces. That included the man who was the "quarterback" of the defense, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, who quickly became a team leader and the one wearing the in-helmet communication device. It was only fitting, as Keyshaun was an accomplished high school quarterback before becoming one of the Big 12's best defenders. With a year in the scheme under his belt, he's poised to make another major leap and help the Sun Devils build upon last year's Playoff run. On this episode, Keyshaun and I discuss his football journey, his growth in the defense, The Werewolves, hard hits, his golf game, and much more.

ASU's spring practices are officially over. So what happened? We welcome in DevilsDigest.com's Hod Rabino and Sports360AZ's Jordan Hamm for an in-depth roundtable discussion. The group discusses the developments from each position, the players who elevated their stock, guys who have to catch up, and some key questions moving forward.

The final full practice of ASU's spring is complete. Get a full recap of Wednesday's action and hear from new DT My'Keil Gardner.

The Texas-to-Tempe movement is running stronger than ever these days, and one of the first additions from that pipeline has played a significant role in Arizona State's resurgence. Keith Abney flashed his potential as a true freshman during ASU's difficult 2023 season, and he went on to earn a starting job heading into 2024. Pairing with fellow starter Javan Robinson, the pair helped the Sun Devil defense lockdown opponents on the way to the Big 12 title. With a strong spring showing, Abney appears poised to level up his game once again in 2025. On this episode, Keith and I discuss the art of playing corner, his growth over his time in Tempe, young DBs to watch, and more.

Monday Night Football in Mountain America Stadium left some things to be desired. The Sun Devils had a rare night practice to begin the final week of spring camp, and it left Kenny Dillingham disappointed. Get a full practice recap and hear from a pair of new weapons, RB Kanye Udoh and TE Khamari Anderson.

Week four of spring practice is in the books after scrimmage-heavy day won by the defense. Get a recap of the key drives and hear from head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Wednesday's session saw some good back-and-forth, highlighted by long drives, big stops, long scoring plays, and a young wide receiver putting out quite a show. Get a recap of the action and hear from offensive line coach Saga Tuitele.

Three weeks of spring practice are in the books. After a look at some notable recruiting and transfer portal news, we dive into the major developments, impressive breakout players, and remaining questions coming from practice. We also talk with a pair of spring standouts in RB Raleek Brown (47:42) and tight end A.J. Ia (51:33), as well as get to know 2026 OL commit Niniva Nicholson (20:51).

Week four of ASU's spring practice kicked off on Monday with a session that featured some big plays, loud hits, a the defense getting the edge. Get a rundown of the action and hear from ASU freshman running back Demarius "Man Man" Robinson.

A career defined by resilience, hard work, and giving back. Lawrence Guy has never been the flashiest or most-heraled player, but what he has accomplished is nothing short of incredible. After three years at ASU, the defensive tackle bounced around the NFL, putting in the work before becoming a long-time starter with the New England Patriots, a stint that earned him a Super Bowl ring. Perhaps more importantly, he has been dedicated to giving back to the community. From sharing his journey with learning differences to the great work done by the Lawrence Guy Family Foundation, he embodies everything a Sun Devil is meant to be. On this episode, we discuss his football career, how he went from special ed classes to a Scholar-Baller, his community service efforts, his role on the Big 12 Alumni Council, and much more. Learn more about the Lawrence Guy Family Foundation here.

The defense was hittin' on Thursday. Get a recap of a heated Thursday practice and hear from sophomore linebacker Martell Hughes.

ASU opened up their third week of spring football practices on a toasty Tuesday that featured big plays by the running backs, an offensive surge, but some costly turnovers. Get a full recap, plus hear from RB Raleek Brown and OL Sean Na'a.

Spring practice rolls on. After a dive into a flurry of football commits and basketball portal activity, we run down the key developments, breakout performers, and questions raised from ASU's second week of spring practice.

There are many paths to success…and very few are easy. For Kyle Scott, his career took him to junior college before making the jump to Arizona State in 2023. His first year wasn't easy, and it resulted in him facing some hard truths and making some tough decisions. But it paid off. He became a starter during last season's College Football Playoff run, and he produced one of the season's defining plays with a helping suplex in overtime at the Peach Bowl. Heading into 2025, he feels he's ready to take the next step. On this episode, we discuss his journey and the hard lessons along the way, his keys to his breakout season, the makeup of the offensive line, hot wing eating contests, and much more.  

On the sixth day, the Sun Devils scrimmaged. Get a recap of Saturday's scrimmage and hear from head coach Kenny Dillingham on his thoughts on the night, the first two weeks of camp, and who he thinks needs to step up. Plus, a cameo from a Sun Devil legend!

After a dud of a Tuesday session, the Sun Devils bounced back with a better and more balanced Thursday practice. We dive into the developments and talk with emerging defensive end Roman Pitre.

The pads are popping as the Sun Devils are back on the practice field. After a look at the news and a dive into the streaking ASU baseball team, we take an in-depth look at the key developments and storylines through the first week of Arizona State's spring football practices. We also talk with two new Devils: WR Noble Johnson (39:16) and CB Nyland Green (57:18).

Week two of ASU's spring football practices got off to an uneven start, with Kenny Dillingham displeased with "fake energy" and bad snaps...but some big passing plays too. Get a full recap and hear from second-year Sun Devils RB Jason Brown and OT Champ Westbrooks.

Week 1 of ASU's spring football practices is in the books. Get a recap of Saturday night's third session and hear from head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Spring's second practice saw Kenny Dillingham continue the "We Are The Champions" mental musical campaign and some big plays by some new pass catchers. Get a recap of the action and hear from cornerback Nyland Green and edge rusher Albert Smith III.

Arizona State's College Football Playoff run may have been a surprise, but for defensive lineman Justin Wodtly, it was nothing new. Justin had made a Playoff trip with Cincinnati back in 2021, but last year's run in his first year with the Sun Devils was something special. Back for one final year of college football, he will once again be a key player both in the trenches and in the locker room for the Sun Devils. On this episode, we discuss his football journey and motivations, the deep and veteran Sun Devil defensive line, how his two Playoff runs compared, leadership, the best food in Puerto Rico, and more.

Spring is a time for renewal, and that goes double for the Devils. After a quick look at the start of spring football practice (get a detailed opening day recap here), we break down Arizona State's hiring of Molly Miller as the new head women's basketball coach with Jeff Metcalfe (10:30). We also talk with new Sun Devil wide receiver Jalen Moss on why he came to Tempe and what he brings to the offense (24:36)

The Big 12 champs are back in action! Get a recap of the standout moments from the first day, learn about Kenny Dillingham's mental campaign waged via "We Are The Champions," and hear from newcomer WR Jalen Moss and QB Jeff Sims on why he returned.

The Devils are back in action. We preview Arizona State's spring football practices, taking an in-depth look at the key storylines to track, position battles to watch, and players with the most to gain. Plus, we get insight from Sun Devil offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo (10:55) and several ASU players: WR Malik McClain (42:40), DB Kyndrich Breedlove (1:06:10), and OL Jalen Klemm (1:43:44) and Jimeto Obigbo (1:53:39). We also take a detailed look at why Bobby Hurley is returning wth DevilsDigest.com publisher Hod Rabino (1:12:30).

A wise man once said Arizona State is the best second choice you'll ever make. For the Sun Devil football program, the influx of transfers has been a crucial component to the program's resurgence. That includes linebacker Jordan Crook, who became a key part of ASU's defense after transferring in from Arkansas. With a year in the system under his belt, he will play a critical role in helping the Sun Devils defend their Big 12 title. On this episode we discuss his first year as a Devil, the makeup of the defense, lessons learned from the Playoff run, what sets Texas players apart, and more.  

Sun Devils leading Sun Devils. It's proving to be a winning formula in Tempe, from athletic director Graham Rossini down to several ASU alums leading programs. That includes Petra Pardi, who's leading one of the nation's best water polo teams. Pardi, the daughter of a water polo Olympian, was a natural in the pool and made her way from Budapest to Tempe to play for the Devils. She would go on to earn All-America honors, and after a brief year away from the sport after her collegiate career, she landed a spot on the ASU staff. She took over on an interim basis near the end of the 2022 season before being named the permanent head coach in 2023. Last year, she led the Devils to a 23-8 record, and heading into this season's home stretch, has ASU ranked No. 11 in the nation. On this episode, we discuss her journey from Hungary to Tempe, how being a Sun Devil changed her life, assembling an international roster, building a winning program in the desert, and more.

As one season begins, another sputters to the finish line. After a look at the news, we welcome back former DevilsDigest reporter (and current KNBR digital maestro) Jack Loder to discuss the strong start for the ASU baseball team and what to expect this season (13:09). We then talk with Jeff Metcalfe for an in-depth look at the struggles of the Sun Devil women's basketball team and whether a coaching change could be in store (50:51).

Where a great underdog story meets a traditional college baseball power, you'll find Kien Vu.  A lightly-recruited player out of San Diego, Kien found his way to Tempe as a walk-on. Heading into his sophomore year last season, he was set up to be in the outfield rotation. But once he got a chance to be an everyday player, he raked...and never stopped raking on the way to hitting over .400 and becoming the 133rd All-American in ASU program history. Now established as one of the nation's best, he's looking to lead the 2025 Sun Devils back to the postseason.  On this episode, Kien and I discuss the keys to his breakout season, the mental aspects of baseball, the makeup of this year's squad, the San Diego burrito scene and Burrito Express Diamond Deal, and more.

The Snake is in the house. ASU legend Jake Plummer joins me in studio for a fun and insightful conversation on his career, this thoughts on the current state of the program, Sam Leavitt and Kenny Dillingham, his Pat Tillman memories, love of pickleball, how he got into natural functional mushrooms, and so much more.

Success starts in the trenches, and the Sun Devils' turnaround along the offensive line was a major factor in their success in 2024. With four starters back for 2025, the line looks to once again be a team strength. But not everyone will be back in their old spots, as Ben Coleman will be sliding over from left guard to center to replace All-Big 12 selection Leif Fautanu. After missing his first year in Tempe due to injury, Ben returned to the lineup last year and put together a standout season. No matter where he lines up this fall, Ben will be a key player on the field and an important leader off of it. On this episode, Ben and I discuss the keys to ASU's success, why he bypassed the NFL Draft for another year in Tempe, his evolving leadership role, activating the Valley, 

It's almost time to play ball. We dive into a preview of Arizona State's baseball team ahead of a crucial 2025 season. We also talk with DevilsDigest.com publisher Hod Rabino (1:11:30) on the rapidly warming seat for Bobby Hurley. Plus, we talk with 2026 blue-chip tight end commit Israel Briggs (11:59) and new ASU running back Grayson Rigdon (24:28).

It was only appropriate that ASU's victory in the Big 12 championship game took place in Texas, as the Texas-to-Tempe movement has been such a critical factor in the Sun Devils' turnaround. One of the first players that arrive through that movement has developed into one of the key pieces of Arizona State's success. Defensive tackle C.J. Fite once committed to ASU under the prior staff, decommitted after the coaching change, but then recommitted once he saw the vision Kenny Dillingham planned to bring. In his second year, Fite blossomed into an All-Big 12 selection and a member of the Pat Tillman Leadership Council. Now an upperclassmen, bigger things are ahead. On this episode, we discuss his growth as a leader, winning the title in his home state, how the team can keep its edge, the most fashionable Sun Devil, and much more.

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham spoke with the media on Feb. 7 to discuss a number of topics, including the team's culture, the success in recruiting, leadership, team culture, Sam Leavitt's development, facilities, RBs, Sparky, grocery store photos, and much more.

After a breakdown of the newest Sun Devil commits, we dive into an analysis of ASU's 2025 football schedule. Then we rate the team's position groups by how much confidence we have in them heading into spring practices. Finally, we talk with new Arizona State wide receiver Jaren Hamilton (52:27).

Sure, the 2024 Sun Devils had talented players. But what truly elevated the team was their heart. Their grit. Their ability to overcome adversity. Much of that stemmed from the team's leadership, and among the most impactful voices in that locker room was Xavion Alford. You likely know his story by now. After coming to ASU as a transfer, he and Jake Smith were unjustly ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the 2023 season. But he kept a positive attitude, and when he finally took the field last year, he put together a terrific season that earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors. Bypassing the NFL Draft, Xavion is back and ready to lead the Devils on another title run. On this episode, we discuss the impact and evolution of his leadership, how he won't let the team get complacent, the team's young DBs, his go to Mexican food spots, and much more.

Great seasons never go exactly as planned. In fact, most have significant obstacles, like a key injury. But what makes those seasons great is someone steps up to answer the call, and the 2024 Sun Devils had Xavier Guillory. After the loss of Jordyn Tyson, Guillory put together a scorching finish to the year, scoring four huge touchdowns in critical ASU victories. He also continued to put in the hard work as a blocker, and he helped spring numerous big plays for the Sun Devil ground game during the magical season. On this episode, we discuss his clutch contributions and catches, working with Hines Ward, the lessons from his ASU career, his prep for the NFL, next year's batch of receivers, and much more.

Trenton Bourguet saw a lot during his time in Tempe. A promising rise, the COVID year, a disappointing season, a NCAA scandal, a coaching change, and finally and deservedly, a title-winning playoff run. Through it all, he displayed dedication, loyalty, heart, leadership, and a deft passing touch that made him—a Marana native and childhood Wildcat fan—one of the most popular Sun Devils in recent memory. With the close of his playing days, the football prodigy is now embarking upon a very promising coaching career. On this episode we discuss the ups and downs of his six years as a Sun Devil, what made the 2024 team special, his favorite moments, a breakdown of his offensive scheme, and much more.

To have a magical season, you need stars doing special things, and Arizona State had Cam Skattebo rewriting the record books. But a team also needs the unsung heroes, the guys that do the dirty work that doesn't often show up in the box scores. Guys who are true leaders. Guys that make the big play in the big moments. Melquan Stovall was one of those guys for the Sun Devils. Over his two years, the wide receiver became a sure-handed target and a critical part of ASU's turnaround. He also earned not one but two master's degrees off the field. Not too shabby. On this episode, we discuss his role in ASU's resurgence, his growth as a leader, that targeting non-call, his CIA aspirations, the future of the Sun Devil offense, and more.

A magical season resulted in some award-worthy performances. After a look at the latest portal additions, we dive into our annual Sun Devil season awards, honoring the best of ASU's title-winning 2024 season.

Kenny Dillingham's Devils have been underdogs. Overlooked. Underestimated. Yet as the world saw this past season, they find a way to battle, overcome, and succeed. One of the best examples of this new breed of Sun Devil is Shamari Simmons. From a small Alabama town, he had to climb the college football ladder the hard way, going from junior college to the FCS before earning a chance at ASU. He rewarded Dillingham and the staff with a 2023 season that ended with Simmons being named the team MVP. This past year, after moving from safety to nickel due to team need, he excelled again, delivering hard hits and making plays in helping lead ASU's Playoff run. In doing so, he became an example of making the most of an opportunity. On this episode, Shamari and I discuss what made this year's team special, the wild Peach Bowl, how his years at ASU changed his life, preparing for the NFL, and much more...and yes, that includes the targeting call.

An all-time comeback fell just short in an instant classic. We break down the Peach Bowl battle and the key takeaways from the game before talking with ASU athletic director Graham Rossini (44:17) on what the department is doing to build upon the success moving forward.

It's time. We dive into an in-depth Peach Bowl preview with 3TV & CBS 5 sports director—and Texas alum—Mark McClune and give our predictions. (Plus, we get a pretty great Matthew McConaughey story too).

Forks up. Horns down. We now know that ASU will face Texas in the Peach Bowl. We discuss the matchup and the latest transfer portal additions. We then talk with ASU's All-Big 12 center Leif Fautanu (19:08) before meeting some new Sun Devils: Kicker Jesus Gomez (28:16), running back Kanye Udoh (41:43), and 2025 linebacker signee Isaiah Iosefa (49:59)

ASU's two-year turnaround is nothing short of remarkable, so we take a deep dive into how it was done. After a look at the news and conversations with Sun Devil cornerback Keith Abney II (26:43) and defensive tackle C.J. Fite (36:22), we are joined by ASU assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Charlie Ragle (40:59) for an in-depth discussion on how the Sun Devils revamped the roster into a conference champion. We then talk with Cactus Sports owner Troy Scoma (1:17:55) on how his store is feeling the positive impact of the Valley being activated.

Get ready for playoff football. We dive into ASU's historic Big 12 Conference victory over Iowa State and what it says about the program. Then we discuss the all-conference honors for the Sun Devils and the biggest snubs. We wrap up with a look at the early portal activity and how Kenny Dillingham's approach could pay dividends.

Folks, it's not a dream. Arizona State won the Big 12 title and is heading to the College Football Playoff. In this emergency episode, Brad and Joe discuss one of the biggest wins in program history.

After a dominating win over UofA, the Sun Devils are just one victory away from history. After a look at the news, we dive into the good and the even better of ASU's 49-7 throttling of Arizona. We then talk with ASU defensive tackle Jacob Kongaika (37:23) and tight end Chamon Metayer (41:02) about the big win and what lays ahead. Next, we go behind enemy lines with Iowa State insider Bill Seals of Cyclone Report (46:52) before previewing the Big 12 Conference championship game and giving our game predictions.

The Territorial Cup. A Big 12 title shot. A potential Playoff spot. A lot is riding on this year's Duel in the Desert. After a look at the news, we talk with ASU offensive lineman Ben Coleman (13:07) before diving into the wacky win over BYU. We check in with star ASU safety Xavion Alford (45:40) before going behind Wildcat lines with Arizona insider Adam Green of Wildcat Radio 2.0 (52:47) ahead of our game preview and predictions. Then it's the main event: A great conversation with the legendary Jordan Simone (1:56:16).