You can add another quarterback to the list of those who have come and gone during Trenton Bourguet’s now sixth year in the Arizona State football program.
That group now is at 20, if you count the non-scholarship quarterbacks.
Jaden Rashada, the starter in the 2023 season opener, hit the transfer portal on Thursday leaving the Sun Devils with just two scholarship players at that position — Bourguet and Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt. Preferred walk-on Navi Bruzon, a product of Liberty High School, also is getting playing time. But it was business as usual when the team took to the practice field Saturday morning for their 12th of 15 spring sessions.
Not only did Rashada hit the portal, so did star wide receiver Elijhah Badger and tight end Bryce Pierre, who both followed suit on Friday.
The Sun Devils didn’t flinch. In fact, head coach Kenny Dillingham said it was the best practice of the spring.
He said if the season were to start tomorrow, Leavitt would be the starter but it doesn’t mean that can’t change. Dillingham also made it clear he planned on bringing in another quarterback through the transfer portal. So there will be competition.
His message hasn’t changed.
“I told him (Leavitt), `We’re going to bring in a guy to beat your butt out. You don’t like that, don’t be here. We’ll always do that. I’m never gonna bring in a guy and say, `Listen, you’re going to be depth because I’m bringing in a loser,'” Dillingham said. “Like I’m bringing in a guy I don’t want to roll with. We’re going to bring somebody in here that wants to win the starting job but understands if he doesn’t win it, you have to be a good teammate. You better come in here and show support. That’s the type of guy we’re going to bring in.”
Leavitt played in four games last year at Michigan State, completing 15 of 23 passes for 139 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Playing in four games allowed him to retain his redshirt. He has seemingly had the edge for much of the spring, while Rashada had been a minimal participant due to hand surgery in January.
Leavitt isn’t reading too much into having the early edge in the position battle.
“It’s a testament to the work I’ve put in,” Leavitt said. “It doesn’t mean too much. It’s spring right now. I know they’re going to bring another guy. We’ve talked about competing. I love competition. Just got to keep growing with the team, keep getting better.’
Dillingham doubled down on the need to have competition not just at quarterback, but at every position because that raises the standard in the program. Other positions of need right now are tight end and offensive tackle.
“That’s why I don’t fight for kids to stay because if you’re one toe in, if there’s a little bit that isn’t all in, you have no chance to reach your potential,” Dillingham said. “But if we have a football team that’s all in, every single person, every single day, everybody’s going to become a multiplier. If you get 120 kids that are a multiplier, pushing each other to become better, everybody’s going to reach a higher potential.”
Dillingham says the key is being honest with his players but he knows there are a lot of other coaches just telling prospects what they they want to hear.
“If you’re going to be here, you’re going to push yourself. And if you don’t want to be here, then don’t But if you’re here, be ready to be challenged. That’s what we talked about today at practice. The guys here love it. They love that chip. They love that energy, came out today and responded well.”
Bourguet is the savvy veteran who was a steady presence in 2023 when there was chaos around him due to injuries, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. His demeanor hasn’t changed either.
“You know for me, it’s just focusing on myself, not worrying about anyone else. If you’re here, you’re my teammate, a brother to me. If you decide to leave I wish him nothing but the best,” Bourguet said about Rashada departing. “With this transfer portal, NIL, it’s tough to create a culture and maintain it and there are a lot of reasons people transfer but we’re focusing on the people in the building. If you want to be at Arizona State, be here and if you don’t hopefully you can find a place you enjoy better. But for me, this is my sunshine.”
Besides the player transfers, Thursday’s news included the NCAA’s findings and penalties for the four-year long investigation into recruiting violations by the previous coaching staff. Dillingham said he could not comment on that matter.
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