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 Draft Scout College Football Player News: Arizona State
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  2022 PRESEASON ALLSTATE AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM NOMINEE: Case Hatch, Arizona State University,...Hatch is part of several organizations and participates in community service efforts throughout the Valley. Dating back to 2019, he has been volunteering his time with Feed My Starving Children, attending 2-3 events a year during the holiday season. During that time he has also been involved in an organization called Work for Just Serve, which offers an ongoing list of service opportunities. He is also a part of a church that puts on events for youth groups, kids aged 12-18, bringing in speakers and providing support. - Arizona State Football

rSr/2023 FB Case HatchArizona State
News Source: Arizona State Football
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  2022 PRESEASON WUERFFEL TROPHY (COMMUNITY SERVICE) WATCHLIST: Case Hatch, Arizona State, Sr., RB/TE,...Since 2021, Hatch has volunteered with Neighbors Who Care, working with the organization about once a month, helping less fortunate families with various needs. He has also recently gotten involved with the Arizona Animal Wellness Center with his wife, working at a shelter in Gilbert. Once a month they spend a few hours helping clean out kennels, refill water and food, and interacting with the dogs. Prior to his arrival at ASU, he went on two-year mission to Fort Lauderdale. Hatch took advantage of several local volunteer opportunities that the church offered, using this time away from football to assist the community. - Arizona State Football

rSr/2023 FB Case HatchArizona State
News Source: Arizona State Football
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  For Cade Briggs, this particular month of preseason football practice might come with more challenges than those confronting many of his Texas Tech teammates. The transfer from New Mexico joined the team seven months ago with the idea of immediately competing for a starting job at a wide-open position. The center spot is new to him in a lot of ways, and then a week before spring practice started Briggs suffered a wrist injury that required surgery. So when the Red Raiders started August workouts on Friday, Briggs had ground to cover: one, familiarizing himself with the demands of center; two, catching up in a competition that he didn't get to be part of during spring practice.

Months ago, there was an expectation that the job was Briggs' after all, he'd started at left tackle the past two years at UNM. With Briggs out, Dennis Wilburn made coaches consider another option. The 6-3, 320-pound senior from Aldine Nimitz impressed Tech coach Joey McGuire, who repeatedly used the words "tough" and "toughness" to describe how Wilburn came out of spring football atop the depth chart. Briggs remains confident after playing guard and tackle most his career. "Going back inside where the space is limited I feel very confident." - Lubbock Avalanche


rSr/2025 OG Cade BriggsArizona State
News Source: Lubbock Avalanche
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  It was clear from his first snap that Georgia Tech's Jeff Sims was no ordinary freshman. The big man with quick feet was too slippery for the Seminoles. Sims delivered sizzling passes with a flick of his right wrist. He seemed unfazed by making his college debut at Florida State. The Yellow Jackets won as two-touchdown underdogs that day in September 2020 largely because Sims made plays where none seemed available. The Jackets had a quarterback who could make their painful transition from the triple-option not last too long. Sims has shown flashes of the same magic since then: big plays, big moments, big victories. Consistency is what's been missing. Maybe it wouldn't be if not for injuries. Sims hurt his shoulder in the opener last season, sat out two games and then returned to play a month of good football before going back on the injury list.

Sims still is the player who can elevate Tech's offense. A great season for him would mean Tech finally breaks through after being stuck on three wins for three consecutive seasons. Sims has played 18 games for Tech. It just seems longer because he made such a strong first impression. Now is the time for Sims' talent, experience and maturity to coalesce. "My mindset has definitely changed," Sims said Saturday at Tech's media day. "I'm an older guy now. I'm not worried about a lot of things I used to worry about. I'm not worried about outside noise and things like that. On the physical side, I've been putting in a lot of work, too." There's a lot of work to do. Tech is replacing pretty much every offensive starter from 2021, including star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Lots of new players in the lineup isn't necessarily a bad thing for the Jackets. - Atlanta Journal Constitution


rSr/2025 QB Jeff SimsArizona State
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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  Arizona State fullback Case Hatch prides himself on making the plays that don't show up in a box score. Look no further than the Sun Devils' 41-14 win over Southern Utah in the season opener last year. Hatch's name doesn't appear anywhere. He didn't score a touchdown, didn't record a catch and didn't rush for even a yard. But yet his fingerprints were all over that victory. How so? Well, Hatch had the key block on each of ASU's six touchdown plays, five of those rushing scores. The solidly-built 6-foot-1, 230-pounder has embraced that position since he moved there after starting his ASU career as a walk-on linebacker. Oftentimes the fullback plays in anonymity. He might only be noticed if he were to miss a block. He's not going to rack up gaudy offensive numbers and he won't have those dazzling highlight reel runs that make the late-night sports news shows but that suits him just fine.

Hatch says the position is one in which he can use his intensity and experience on the defensive side of the ball to his advantage. "It's never about me. Being a fullback is the perfect role for me. It fits me perfectly. I'm able to hit guys as hard as I possibly can every play which is awesome. Now instead of tackling the guy with the ball and hitting him hard, I'm opening up the hole for a teammate." Like many of his teammates, Hatch has aspirations of playing the game at the next level. He thought about declaring for the draft after last season, one of the factors being his age. At 24, he's already older than most college seniors, with a two-year LDS mission he served after finishing up at Perry High School the factor there. He opted to return to ASU for several reasons. He's only got one full year playing the position under his belt and there are many skills to hone, most notably route running and pass catching. - Arizonasports.com


rSr/2023 FB Case HatchArizona State
News Source: Arizonasports.com
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  Friday may not have been the first day of classes, but it had that type of vibe as USC football opened its first training camp of the Lincoln Riley era. "Didn't sleep very good last night," Riley said as his team walked off the field. "You're just kinda excited and ready for this day to go." It's a very different group of Trojans from this time last year. USC lost 54 players from the 2021 roster and returns only nine starters while adding 10 high school and junior college prospects and 20 transfers to the locker room. Several of these new faces made their debuts in spring camp, but others were taking part in their first practice on Friday. Among the newcomers was running back Raleek Brown, the No. 2 prospect in the state of California in the 2022 class according to 247Sports.com.

Brown was a significant figure soon after Riley was hired by USC in November. He became the first commitment of the head coach's tenure, and a fitting one at that. Not only did he come from traditional USC pipeline Mater Dei, but he also was a pledge to Riley at Oklahoma. After missing out on spring practices while finishing up high school, Brown was hard to miss in his first day in cardinal and gold, even standing at 5-foot-8. "His speed on the field is noticeable. And he's on the field with a lot of good athletes," Riley said. "Day 1 and backs are a little tough sometimes to fully evaluate when they're not in pads. But I thought he had a good summer with us. Athletically he does some things that are certainly exciting." Brown spent the summer working out with the team and getting acclimated to the new locker room. It didn't take him long to make an impression, even on the upperclassmen lifting weights with him. "Raleek has been quite the goofball," sixth-year center Brett Neilon said. "We like to chat it up and I mess with him and he messes with me." - Orange County Register


Jr/2026 WR Raleek BrownArizona State
News Source: Orange County Register
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  Quarterback Jeff Sims can continue to improve his accuracy and decision-making, and having a quarterbacks coach in Chris Weinke who doesn't have coordinating duties should help. But, as a two-year returning starter, Sims' spot in the lineup appears secure. That said, having a backup who can challenge him and be a productive contributor if needed is a priority. Sims started all 10 games as a freshman in 2020, but missed five last season because of injury. Tech may need to call on one of Sims' backups as it did Jordan Yates (now at Sam Houston State) a year ago.

Sims is the only returning quarterback from last season's team, with Zach Pyron coming in as a freshman and Zach Gibson (Akron) and Taisun Phommachanh (Clemson) arriving as transfers. Both Pyron and Gibson took part in spring practice, and Phommachanh arrived over the summer. If a backup is needed, it's possible that Weinke and new offensive coordinator Chip Long could make the decision based on the situation. Phommachanh, for instance, is a bigger threat with his legs than Pyron and Gibson. - Atlanta Journal Constitution


rSr/2025 QB Jeff SimsArizona State
News Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution
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  The Sun Devils lost their top two running backs, Rachaad White to the draft and DeaMonte "Chip" Trayanum to the transfer portal. When you throw in the yardage now-departed quarterback Daniels had and other losses and the Sun Devils return just 378 rushing yards of their 2021 total of 2,540 yards. While Daniyel Ngata has shown considerable potential, the Sun Devils needed a back with a proven track record and they got one in Valladay, a second-team All-Mountain West selection at Wyoming.

Valladay rushed for 1,070 yards and six touchdowns on 209 carries (5.1 ypg) the past season. The 6-foot, 198-pounder ran for more than 100 yards in four games, his best outing coming in a 27-21 Mountain West Conference loss to San Jose State when he totaled 172 yards on 22 tries. He also registered 23 receptions for 233 yards. He had a total of 3,281 yards and 19 touchdowns on 626 carries (5.24 ypg) in his Wyoming career. - Arizona Republic


rSr/2023 RB Xazavian ValladayArizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  DE Travez Moore transferred to ASU last season from LSU and provided some much-needed help with the pass rush, although he was not an every-down player. He sustained a season-ending knee injury in the loss at Brigham Young so he's basically getting a do-over of his "senior" season. With the graduation of defensive end Tyler Johnson, Moore is in line for a more significant role. He did not participate in live work during the spring because he was still recovering from the knee injury but has now been cleared for all physical activity. "It was real frustrating I was kind of jealous. I wasn't jealous of my teammates, I just wanted to be out there with them. I wanted to see what I could do," Moore said, of not being able to participate in the spring. "Mentally I thought I could be out there but I couldn't wait to touch the field, the smell of the grass. Everything was just getting to me. I can't wait to get out there now." - Arizona Republic

rSr/2023 DE Travez MooreArizona State
News Source: Arizona Republic
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  2022 PRESEASON PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD WATCHLIST: Slater Zellers, California,...No. 1 draft-eligible long snapper for the 2023 NFL Draft according to Phil Steele...A member of the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper Award Preseason Watch List for the first time in his career prior to his 2022 senior campaign...Has played in each of the past 29 Cal games over the last three campaigns after redshirting as a 2018 true freshman...Has made every snap on punts during the timeframe and on field goals and PATs in 26 of those contests. - California Football

rSr/2024 LS Slater ZellersArizona State
News Source: California Football
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  University of Houston running back Alton McCaskill is doubtful to play this season after suffering a torn knee ligament in spring practice, coach Dana Holgorsen said Thursday. Speaking during the American Athletic Conference's media day, Holgorsen said McCaskill was recently cleared to begin running, but said it was premature to put any timetable on a possible return. "That conversation won't even be had for months and months," Holgorsen said. "Just being smart about it, I doubt it." McCaskill tore the ACL in his left knee during the final week of spring practice. He underwent successful surgery in April. "That's not my call," Holgorsen continued when asked about a timetable for McCaskill's return. "If I wanted that to happen and the doctors say no, then the doctors are going to win out for sure. We're interested in what's best for Alton and his future." McCaskill had 961 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as a freshman last season to earn AAC's Rookie of the Year. - Houston Chronicle

rSo/2027 RB Alton McCaskillArizona State
News Source: Houston Chronicle
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  2022 PRESEASON OUTLAND TROPHY WATCHLIST: OT Aaron Frost, Nevada,...Frost, a two-time selection to the All-Mountain West Second Team (2020-21), is expected to anchor The Union in 2022. He is one of 89 players on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is given to the best interior lineman in college football (centers, guards, and tackles are eligible). Last season, Frost appeared in all 13 games, bringing his career total of games played for the Pack to 43. In 2021 he helped pave the way for the sixth-best passing offense in the country, while the Pack offense also ranked eighth in the nation in red-zone offense and 17th nationally in scoring offense (35.7 ppg). - Nevada Football

rSr/2024 OG Aaron FrostArizona State
News Source: Nevada Football
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  2022 PRESEASON BUTKUS AWARD WATCHLIST: Merlin Robertson, Arizona State,...Robertson has started 38 of his 41 career games, collecting 237 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks as a Sun Devil. He is equally as effective in the passing game as he has been stopping the run, picking off at least one pass in all four seasons as he enters his fifth season with six career interceptions. Robertson has also added three forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries, showing a nose for the ball. - Arizona State Football

Sr/2023 OLB Merlin RobertsonArizona State
News Source: Arizona State Football
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  "Buy in." It's a phrase used by most football coaches when asking their players to leave any individualistic ideologies at the front door and completely immerse themselves into the system and trust the process. And following the mass exodus the Arizona State Sun Devils football team just experienced this past offseason, the ones who chose to either stay or transfer to Tempe have done just that. "Getting everybody to buy in. We're trying to reestablish this culture and getting guys to buy in," redshirt senior defensive end Michael Matus said at Sun Devil football media day on Monday.

"It's been a big mess outside media-wise. And just kind of helping people just drown that out and just get to playing ball. That's all we need to do." That "outside media" noise - which stems from the ongoing NCAA investigation for alleged recruiting violations that has also already seen numerous coaches depart - has resulted in perhaps the lowest expectations going into a regular season since head coach Herm Edwards took over in 2018. In fact, FanDuel Sportsbook has ASU's win total for the season currently at 5.5. Remember, teams need six wins to become bowl eligible. "My expectations are a lot different than I would say your guys' expectations," captain Kyle Soelle said Monday. "They have us at what, 5.5 wins this year? I guess we'll see in December...I think anything I'm a part of will be more than five wins." - Arizonasports.com


rSr/2023 ILB Kyle SoelleArizona State
News Source: Arizonasports.com
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  Travez Moore made clear what his personal goal for 2022 on the field is: double-digit sacks. And if all the outside noise doubting both his and Arizona State's ability as a team wasn't enough, Moore took self-motivation to a whole new and personal level. "I have people saying a lot of bullcrap about me on Twitter...So what I did, I literally spent two to three hours and I went through every Twitter post that said something negative about me," he said. "I wrote it down on my wall. "And that way before I walk out the door, I see it on my door. Whatever everybody said on Twitter about me, I see what they said. And I'm like, 'OK, cool. I gotta prove this person wrong, I'm going to prove this person wrong today or I'm gonna do this today to prove this person wrong. So that was my motivation in using that." - Arizonasports.com

rSr/2023 DE Travez MooreArizona State
News Source: Arizonasports.com
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