Speak of the Devils

To have a magical season, you need stars doing special things, and Arizona State had Cam Skattebo rewriting the record books. But a team also needs the unsung heroes, the guys that do the dirty work that doesn't often show up in the box scores. Guys who are true leaders. Guys that make the big play in the big moments. Melquan Stovall was one of those guys for the Sun Devils. Over his two years, the wide receiver became a sure-handed target and a critical part of ASU's turnaround. He also earned not one but two master's degrees off the field. Not too shabby. On this episode, we discuss his role in ASU's resurgence, his growth as a leader, that targeting non-call, his CIA aspirations, the future of the Sun Devil offense, and more.

A magical season resulted in some award-worthy performances. After a look at the latest portal additions, we dive into our annual Sun Devil season awards, honoring the best of ASU's title-winning 2024 season.

Kenny Dillingham's Devils have been underdogs. Overlooked. Underestimated. Yet as the world saw this past season, they find a way to battle, overcome, and succeed. One of the best examples of this new breed of Sun Devil is Shamari Simmons. From a small Alabama town, he had to climb the college football ladder the hard way, going from junior college to the FCS before earning a chance at ASU. He rewarded Dillingham and the staff with a 2023 season that ended with Simmons being named the team MVP. This past year, after moving from safety to nickel due to team need, he excelled again, delivering hard hits and making plays in helping lead ASU's Playoff run. In doing so, he became an example of making the most of an opportunity. On this episode, Shamari and I discuss what made this year's team special, the wild Peach Bowl, how his years at ASU changed his life, preparing for the NFL, and much more...and yes, that includes the targeting call.

An all-time comeback fell just short in an instant classic. We break down the Peach Bowl battle and the key takeaways from the game before talking with ASU athletic director Graham Rossini (44:17) on what the department is doing to build upon the success moving forward.

It's time. We dive into an in-depth Peach Bowl preview with 3TV & CBS 5 sports director—and Texas alum—Mark McClune and give our predictions. (Plus, we get a pretty great Matthew McConaughey story too).

Forks up. Horns down. We now know that ASU will face Texas in the Peach Bowl. We discuss the matchup and the latest transfer portal additions. We then talk with ASU's All-Big 12 center Leif Fautanu (19:08) before meeting some new Sun Devils: Kicker Jesus Gomez (28:16), running back Kanye Udoh (41:43), and 2025 linebacker signee Isaiah Iosefa (49:59)

ASU's two-year turnaround is nothing short of remarkable, so we take a deep dive into how it was done. After a look at the news and conversations with Sun Devil cornerback Keith Abney II (26:43) and defensive tackle C.J. Fite (36:22), we are joined by ASU assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Charlie Ragle for an in-depth discussion on how the Sun Devils revamped the roster into a conference champion. We then talk with Cactus Sports owner Troy Scoma (1:17:55) on how his store is feeling the positive impact of the Valley being activated.

Get ready for playoff football. We dive into ASU's historic Big 12 Conference victory over Iowa State and what it says about the program. Then we discuss the all-conference honors for the Sun Devils and the biggest snubs. We wrap up with a look at the early portal activity and how Kenny Dillingham's approach could pay dividends.

Folks, it's not a dream. Arizona State won the Big 12 title and is heading to the College Football Playoff. In this emergency episode, Brad and Joe discuss one of the biggest wins in program history.

After a dominating win over UofA, the Sun Devils are just one victory away from history. After a look at the news, we dive into the good and the even better of ASU's 49-7 throttling of Arizona. We then talk with ASU defensive tackle Jacob Kongaika (37:23) and tight end Chamon Metayer (41:02) about the big win and what lays ahead. Next, we go behind enemy lines with Iowa State insider Bill Seals of Cyclone Report (46:52) before previewing the Big 12 Conference championship game and giving our game predictions.

The Territorial Cup. A Big 12 title shot. A potential Playoff spot. A lot is riding on this year's Duel in the Desert. After a look at the news, we talk with ASU offensive lineman Ben Coleman (13:07) before diving into the wacky win over BYU. We check in with star ASU safety Xavion Alford (45:40) before going behind Wildcat lines with Arizona insider Adam Green of Wildcat Radio 2.0 (52:47) ahead of our game preview and predictions. Then it's the main event: A great conversation with the legendary Jordan Simone (1:56:16).

Everyone hates the Wildcats. Obviously. But who's Arizona State's secondary rival in a Big 12 world? Brad Denny and Ralph Amsden discuss the contenders and why the new No. 2 may just be from "the Tucson of Utah."

ASU is RANKED, folks. We dive into the Sun Devils' statement win over Kansas State that got them back in the Top 25 and then talk with ASU LB Jordan Crook (29:23), RB Kyson Brown (33:08), and new 2025 LB commit Tristan Bacon (38:13). We then look ahead to the huge showdown with No. 14 BYU with Cougar insider Mitch Harper of KSL Sports (50:28) and then preview the game and give our predictions. Finally, we bring in the great Kyle Dodd to discuss the hot start by Sun Devil basketball (1:48:35).

Good teams find a way, and the Devils found a way. After a look at the news, we dive into ASU's improbable win over UCF that kept them in the Big 12 race. We then talk with defensive linemen Justin Wodtly (52:27) and Zac Swanson (56:25) before going behind Wildcat lines with Kansas State insider Kevin Fielder of EMAW Online (1:00:18) and previewing Saturday's big game. We're also joined by new Sun Devil wide receiver commit Chance Ables (25:07).

Get your bowling shoes ready, Sparky. After a look at some key injury news, we dive into the Devils' dominant win over Oklahoma State that punched their ticket to the postseason. We then talk to WR Jordyn Tyson (34:25) and DT C.J. Fite (39:39) before going behind UCF lines with Knights' insider Brandon Helwig of UCFSports.com (46:10). We then wrap up with our game preview and predictions.

The Devils are back in action with a major opportunity ahead. With guest co-host Ralph Amsden, we break down ASU basketball’s tough exhibition loss at Duke before talking to a trio of key Sun Devils: Safety Xavion Alford (45:11), running back DeCarlos Brooks (49:05), and defensive tackle Jeff Clark (52:08). Then we look ahead to ASU’s trip to Stillwater with Oklahoma State insider Jeff Johnson (55:29) before diving into our game preview.

Since taking over in Tempe, Kenny Dillingham has been aggressive with his on-field decisions, reflecting a broader trend in the sport. Joined by Ralph Amsden, we discuss "the book" that has influenced the game, analytics versus game feel, and how Dillingham aims to be a blend of both new school and old school approaches.

A tough loss can't dim a strong first seven games. Joined by Hod Rabino of DevilsDigest.com & Chilly in studio, we review the loss to Cincinnati before taking an in-depth dive into the lessons from the season so far, the big questions raised, and what we need to see down the homestretch. Plus, we talk to QB Navi Bruzon (37:26) and OL Brandon Lloyd (40:58) and get an in-depth local recruiting update.

Next man up. With starter Sam Leavitt out with an injury, Jeff Sims will start for ASU against Cincinnati. Brad Denny and Ralph Amsden discuss the situation and the path forward for a Sun Devil victory. Check out our full game preview episode here.

A maroon Blackout, a gritty win, and a field storming for the ages. We look back on the wild win over No. 16 Utah before talking with two key players from the victory: LB Jordan Crook (41:09) and RG Kyle Scott (50:26). We then go behind Bearcat lines with Cincinnati insider J.T. Smith of TheFrontOfficeNews.com (56:12) before diving into our game preview and predictions.