Arizona State football exits Camp T with red-zone concerns

PAYSON — The Arizona State football team finished its annual four-day excursion to Camp Tontonzona. Now it's back to practice drills in their more familiar confines.

The scrimmage marked the end of the drills and was disappointing in one regard: there were no touchdowns. Just five field goals. The Sun Devils had all kinds of trouble in the red zone. Is it something to worry about? The team hasn't had that kind of trouble in team segments during practices in Tempe.

"That was the biggest disappointment," coach Kenny Dillingham said. "The first two times we got in the red zone, we had penalties. Then we had turnover opportunities as well. That can't happen in the red zone. The 1s just got down there and couldn't run the football as effectively as you would like."

Despite that, Dillingham said it was a productive week.

"I think we're closer together," Dillingham said. "I think we're getting closer in identity. Anytime you have a scrimmage, one side walks away and thinks they're dominant, when in reality, there's three to four plays in the scrimmage that completely flip it, just like a game. So you're nowhere near as good, and you're nowhere near as bad as you are."

Here are our takeaways from the week in the woods.

True freshmen are shining

Earlier this fall, Dillingham called his freshman class "phenomenal." The collective group was tabbed as the sixth-best freshman class in the Big 12 by 247Sports. The group is led by four-star prospects in quarterback Jake Fette, running back Cardae Mack, defensive lineman Julian Hugo and offensive lineman Cortavius Tisaby. Another standout is three-star defensive back Daquwan Dunn. In team segments, Dunn has been a mainstay with the second team, while the others have rotated. Usually it's not a good thing when true freshmen have to play because it means maybe the upperclassmen aren't up to speed, but this is a case where the talent of the rookies is proof of depth in the program.

Hugo and Dunn were among the standouts in the scrimmage. Dunn may not have come in with the hype of the others, but his teammates took notice early. When asked at Big 12 Media Days, which came after spring drills but before the fall camp started, ASU defenders Lyrik Rawls and Montana Warren singled out Dunn as the one who impressed them most.

The defense will be physical

There have been many instances of Sun Devil defenders being physical, even when lining up against their own teammates. That was also on display in the Camp T scrimmage. Dillingham has said he wants a team that plays with a physical presence, and it looks like his team has adhered to that philosophy.

Look no further than newcomer Owen Long, a linebacker who led the nation in tackles last season at Colorado State. He personifies that every day, and it looks like he will be the alpha dog of Brian Ward's unit.

Some positions look to be a lock

There are still some position battles as it is relatively early in fall camp. But others appear to have been locked down. Newcomer Ashton Stamps and returning junior Rodney Bimage should hold down the corner spots. Stamps started at LSU, so he should be ready for Big 12 play. Bimage has had solid camps in his previous two years, but he was playing behind some quality players, who are now all gone. This should be his time.

The safeties also appear to be set between Kansas transfer Lyrik Rawls and returner Adrian "Boogie" Wilson. Montana Warren could play there as well, or he can play safety with Wilson moving over to the nickel. But those three are solid in the back end of the defense as well.

Others jumping onto the radar

There are several positions where players who may have been a little lower on the depth chart have opened some eyes. On offense, sophomore wide receiver Uriah Neloms, a product of San Tan Charter, fits that bill. It's hard to see where he fits in with the Sun Devils loaded at that position. For starters, there are transfers Omarion Miller, Reed Harris and Raiden Vines-Bright. Then there are returning players in Jalen Moss, Jaren Hamilton and Derek Eusebio. Still, Neloms appears to be one of the most improved players in camp.

On defense, players who fit into the most-improved category include sophomore defensive back Caleb Chester and junior defensive back Kyan McDonald. Both have been in the program but have not seen significant playing time. Those two are also in positions where ASU has great depth. Also keep an eye on sophomore linebacker Tristan Bacon, a local out of Kellis.

No new injuries of note

Every coach is concerned about injuries, but so far the Sun Devils are in good shape. The lone long-term loss is defensive lineman MyKeil Gardner, who ruptured his Achilles. Tight end Khamari Anderson is recovering from a broken leg sustained on the last day of spring practice. He is back to some light physical activity but has not been fully cleared. Some others have been held back in some work just for load management.

Returning defensive linemen C.J. Fite and Jeffrey Manns went down in the scrimmage. They did not return once they departed. The ailments didn't look too serious, and their sitting out the remainder was likely just because it was a scrimmage.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State football exits Camp T with red-zone concerns