ASU quarterbacks looking to impress

Todd Graham has many questions entering his first year at Arizona State, but none bigger than who will be under center when the Sun Devils take the field for their season opener against NAU.

Off to the NFL is Brock Osweiler who leaves behind a single-season passing record, but also maturity and leadership skills important to gaining confidence in the huddle.

The candidates vying to run Graham’s up-tempo offense include sophomore Mike Bercovici, who saw limited action last season, sophomore Kelly Taylor and redshirt freshman Michael Eubank, whom Graham recruited when he was at Pittsburgh.

Each player possesses skill sets to succeed as the starter, but the 6’5, 242-pound Eubank is the player coaches and fans are keeping their eye on this spring. He chose ASU over UofA, Utah and Washington among others. 

The Devils will run a more traditional offense, as opposed to Dennis Erickson’s spread which used swing passes out of the backfield and underneath and crossing routes to receivers. ASU will continue to operate out of the shotgun, but will feature the tight end and more vertical passing.

Graham has stressed the three quarterbacks develop is key, but also hoped to see improved route running from his group of receivers including Jamal Miles, Kyle Middlebrooks and J.J Holiday who will look to fill the shoes of NFL prospect Gerell Robinson and graduating seniors Aaron Pflugrad and Mike Willie. 

The players and coaches will return to spring practice on April 3rd at the Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe.