TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State football has a busy offseason, and I’m going to take a look at each position group and breakdown needs, departures, returners, etc. We’ll start out with arguably the most important position… the quarterbacks.
Quick disclaimer. This was written on Dec. 5. In this fast-moving world of modern college football, things can move quickly, especially in regards to the transfer portal. Any transfers after Dec. 5, are not being taken into account in this article. Thank you.
Offseason quarterback outlook for Arizona State football
Expected departures
First, let’s take a look at which quarterback is leaving Arizona State. As of now, the only player in that group is Drew Pyne. Pyne has entered the transfer portal, and will likely aim to graduate by the end of this year. This will make him immediately eligible at his next school as a grad transfer.
Pyne came into ASU and was expected to be the starter. He likely would’ve started the first game of the season for ASU football this season if not for an injury at Camp T. Unfortunately things simply did not work out for either side this season, and his move to the transfer portal was expected.
Pyne finished this season with 26 completions for 273 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He began his collegiate career at Notre Dame.
Expected returners
There are two quarterbacks on the roster from last season, that I feel pretty confident will return. Those are Trenton Bourguet and Jacob Conover. Bourguet was highly competitive for the starting quarterback job and ended up playing the most out of all of ASU’s quarterbacks last season.
He finished the season with 151 completions for 1,486 yards and a touchdown. He also had four interceptions.
Bourguet will more than likely return to Arizona State for his senior season, regardless of the role he’ll be asked to take. He’s a veteran leader and a spectacular teammate who will do whatever is best for the team. His latest example is pledging $10,000 of his own money to Sun Angel Collective.
Bourguet will return and either be in the mix for the starting job or be a serviceable backup. It’s also worth keeping in mind he was playing through an injury this season, but with Pyne and Rashada also being injured, he felt like he couldn’t sit out if he was able to play.
Conover is also expected to return, and most likely will stay on the scout team next season. Of course that is unless there is a devastating amount of injuries, like there was this season. Conover finished this season with 11 completions for 130 yards and three interceptions.
Up in the air
Jaden Rashada could still swing either way in my opinion. Arizona State football would need to shell out a large chunk of their NIL budget to the highly touted redshirt freshman, but they might be willing to do that. Rashada never got a true shot this season due to an early injury and a decimated offensive line. Dillingham is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks (see Bo Nix and Jordan Travis), and I still am on the Rashada train.
It looks like the Sun Devils weren’t willing to spend NIL to retain Jalin Conyers and BJ Green who hit the portal this week, meaning they have money to spend elsewhere. If Rashada is around when fall camp rolls around, expect him to be the highest-paid player in Tempe.
Rashada finished his true freshman season with 44 completions for 485 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team in passing touchdowns despite only playing three games. He also threw three interceptions.
Next steps for Arizona State football
So what does Arizona State need for this position? Well, I think they’ll look for a quarterback in the portal. Ideally a veteran guy, perhaps a graduate transfer. Somebody who can come in and start for just a season while Rashada develops more. Dillingham showed this past offseason that he is not afraid of a quarterback competition, and he does not promise playing time. He was honest with Rashada, Pyne, and Bourguet last season about it being an open competition for the starting spot.
At the end of the day, Dillingham knows he needs better quarterback play immediately, and if he doesn’t feel confident in a redshirt freshman Rashada or Bourguet, then the portal is not out of the question here.
One interesting name in the portal is Tyler Shough. Shough is a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility remaining. He spent last season at Texas Tech.
He threw for 746 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions before leaving the fourth game of the season early with an injury. That injury required surgery and sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Shough is from Chandler, Ariz. which could potentially open a door for the Sun Devils if they wish to take it.
What do you think Arizona State football should do at the quarterback position heading into 2024?
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