Devil’s Junkie Podcast

It was anything but a quiet offseason for ASU, but what can we learn from the events of the last eight months that can impact the upcoming 2022 campaign? On the eve of Arizona State’s preseason camp Devils Digest staff writer Cole Topham and I break down both sides of the ball for the team and how the off-the-field elements may influence this group.

Later on, I’m joined by the co-host of Speak of the Devils Podcast, Brad Denny, who attended Pac-12’s Media Day and shares his observations on not only what was said by head coach Herm Edwards but also the narrative of a potential conference realignment in light of both L.A. schools bolting for the Big Ten in 2024.

Episode rundown (71 minutes)

(1:18) Cole Topham and I provide our position-by-position analysis of the 2022 squad, identifying areas of strengths and weaknesses, and discuss aspects such as NIL, transfer portal, and NCAA investigation and their potential effect on the program this year.

(51:47) Brad Denny joins me from Los Angeles immediately following the conclusion of the Pac-12’s Media Day, sharing his impressions of Edwards’ press conference at that event and how was the bolting of UCLA and USC in a couple of years discussed during this conference event.

Replacing quarterback Jayden Daniels who was a three-year starter for ASU topped the off-season to-do list in Tempe. Florida transfer Emory Jones' addition to the team has checked off that significant task. In light of this newcomer's arrival, what can we now expect from the Arizona State offense and their outlook for the 2022 season? Here's my interview with Sirius XM Pac-12 Radio's hosts Guy Haberman and Evan Moore.

Episode rundown (32 minutes) 

 

Colleges all across the nation are feeling the adverse effects of the Name, Image, and Likeness, as well as the Transfer Portal, and the ASU program has certainly not been immune to those two elements. How do we get here, and what can we expect for the future of the Sun Devil football team? We discuss those topics and more in this podcast episode. 

With the Sun Devils’ 15 spring sessions coming to a close, SiriusXM Pac-12 Radio hosts Mike Yam and Geoff Schwartz invited me to discuss my takeaways from this year's Arizona State team and how they project in terms of the program’s prospects in 2022.

ASU QB Jayden Daniels entering the transfer portal is just the latest adverse piece of news surrounding the Sun Devil program this year. We invited ASU fans to ask any questions they had on their mind concerning that specific matter and any other issues surrounding the team. 

Episode rundown (72 minutes) 

 

(1:42) I begin the podcast offering my opinion on the current state of the program, in regards to whether 2022 will be Herm Edwards' last year as ASU's head coach, how does the NCAA investigation affect Athletic Director Ray Anderson, and of course why did Daniels transfer and how can that affect the Sun Devils?

 

(14:50) With a heavy mailbag of ASU fans questions sent to me, I spent nearly an hour addressing the various inquiries regarding several topics relating to ASU football

My guest appearance on the Roc and Manuch today discussing the decision of ASU's starting quarterback for the last three years to enter the transfer portal, the possible reasons behind it and what this means for the Sun Devil program

The resignation of the Sun Devils' defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator marks the fifth departure of an Arizona State Football coach since the NCAA had launched an investigation into the team's alleged recruiting violations. My conversation with SIRIUSXM Pac-12 radio hosts Geoff Schwartz and Sean O'Connell details what this personnel move by Antonio Pierce means for the future of head coach Herm Edwards and the rest of his staff, as well as future ASU recruiting classes. 

ASU's offensive coordinator Zak Hill is the latest staff member to depart as the result of the NCAA's investigation into the team's alleged recruiting violation. In my guest experience of Speak of the Devils podcast, I discuss this breaking news, what other coaches could find themselves on the same situation, an what this all means for the Sun Devil football program in the short and long term?

There’s no question that the previous calendar year was hardly successful for the two major Sun Devil programs, but how do we see this tandem fairing in 2022? Our latest podcast provides analysis on this topic and more. 

 

Episode rundown (85 minutes)

 

 

(1:24) What did we learn from ASU football’s 8-5 mark, and with its significant personnel losses on both sides of the ball, what can we expect from the 2022 version of the Sun Devils?

 

(41:24) After offering a micro view of the football program, we take a macro perspective which nasally pertains to the ongoing NCAA investigation of the program’s alleged recruiting violations. What self-imposed sanctions can we expect by ASU, and how will that affect not only the upcoming year but in the seasons to come? 

 

(62:37) 2021 wasn’t kind for the Arizona State basketball program, either whether examining the tail end of a disappointing 20-21 campaign or taking inventory of the first half of the current season. What were the issues that needed to be fixed, and why have the solutions not manifested themselves to date?

(35 minutes)

The recruiting challenges Arizona State has been facing for the last six months have been well documented and manifested themselves in the team’s early signing period recruiting class. As a guest on the Speak of the Devils podcast, I was interviewed by Joe Healey and Brad Denny on the topic and illustrated what can we expect in terms of future additions in the Sun Devils’ 2022 recruiting class.