NBC 11 Sports: Arizona State at Pac-12 Media Day
Arizona State to name starting quarterback before season opener
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona State is coming off one of the worst seasons in school history. The Sun Devils went (3-9, 2-7 Pac-12) and fired Herm Edwards after an embarrassing loss to Eastern Michigan at home.
Kenny Dillingham is now the man at the helm in Tempe. Dillingham had great success working with Bo Nix as the offensive coordinator at Oregon. However, he doesn't have a nailed on starter at ASU just yet.
At Pac-12 Media Day in Las Vegas, Dillingham said that three players will continue to battle it out for the starting role. Trenton Bourget, a former walk-on, started five games last season in which the Sun Devils went 1-4. Last season Bourget threw 11 touchdowns against six interceptions. Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne started 10 games for the Irish last season throwing for 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. Then there is true freshman Jaden Rashada. Rashada was the number six quaterback in the class of 2022. Rashada enrolled at ASU in the spring, following his release from Florida after an NIL debacle.
"When a leader emerges we will name a starter," Dillingham said at media day. "I think that is the thing about quarterback Everyone should know he is the quarterback."
Many times when college quarterback battles draw out into the fall, coaches elect to have multiple players start and play in early season games. This will not be the case in Tempe.
"No matter what, we will name the starter at least a week prior to the first game," Dillingham said. "Our team needs to know who their captain is and the sooner we can tell them who it is the better. "
Dillingham stressed that earns the starting job is the one who takes what the defense gives him.
"I want to see a guy who plays the game smart and with confidence," Dillingham said. "If you get up to the line of scrimmage and you don't like the call, change it. I'm not the one playing. I started coaching at 17 for a reason. I can't throw, so change it. I want to see a guy take control, play with confidence. But understands Patrick Mahomes average touchdown pass was less than 4.5 average yards thrown distance for a reason. It is because smart wins, so be smart."
The Sun Devils start fall camp on July 31 and will kick off their 2023 campaign on August 31 against Southern Utah.
