Arizona State football: Three stock risers from Week 1

TEMPE, Ariz. — Lots of Arizona State football fans are waking up Friday morning tired. Tired thanks to a three-hour rain delay that pushed ASU’s opening game to a 1:15 a.m. conclusion, and tired from the stress that ASU caused them. The Sun Devils nearly had one of the most disappointing losses in school history, but they were able to squeak out a win. However, it wasn’t all bad last night for Arizona State. Here are three players that impressed us, or in other words, raised their stock.

Three stock risers for Arizona State football

Jaden Rashada

This one is a little obvious. We’ve talked about Rashada a lot on this site, both in fall camp, and the last 24 hours. What can we say, the freshman has performed. In his first career game, Rashada completed just under 60% of his passes. He tallied 236 yards and two touchdowns.

The best part? He didn’t have a turnover.

A true freshman quarterback starting his first game ever usually means at least one interception or fumble, but Rashada avoided the turnover bug. Sure he felt some growing pains in the second half, but you can’t expect the perfection of his first drive to continue.

Overall the freshman did better than I expected and his stock is certainly climbing.

Demetries Ford

Redshirt senior Demetries Ford has dominated the FCS level for the last four seasons and has spent time at two different schools (Austin Peay and Youngstown State). Now he’s playing at the FBS level with Arizona State, and he seems to be adjusting just fine.

Ford was a guy who impressed us in fall camp as well.

Against Southern Utah, Ford was a lockdown corner. He had two total tackles, but 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. His ability to stick to his man-like gum on the bottom of a shoe is uncanny.

It is worth noting that Southern Utah is an FCS opponent. Ford’s first true FBS test will be in Week 2 against Oklahoma State. His stock is on the rise as that matchup approaches.

Xavier Guillory

Xavier Guillory is a big play just waiting to happen. Another FCS transfer, similar to Ford, Guillory shined in his first game with ASU. The wide receiver hauled in five receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown. Both were the highest of any Sun Devil on Thursday night.

Guillory’s best moment was when he went up and grabbed a 47-yard jump ball out of the air for a touchdown.

Shout out and congrats to Xavier Guillory (Nez Perce) who pulled in his first career Touchdown with Arizona State University tonight.#NativeAthlete #NezPerce #ASU #Pac12 pic.twitter.com/77DDWqvzfi

— NDNSPORTS.COM (@ndnsports) September 1, 2023

That play couldn’t have happened at a better time either. Rashada and Arizona State’s offense were facing a fourth and eight. The risky play called paid off in a big way.

After the game, Arizona State named the play their “All State’s Good Hands Play of the Game.” Yeah, I think it’s pretty deserving.

Guillory’s stock is rising fast and he’s a guy Arizona State fans are excited to watch the rest of the way.

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