Tempe, AZ – Thursday was the first spring practice in pads for ASU football, so helmets were crashing and pads were popping. Coach Graham was moving from group to group barking instructions and setting the tone with players and coaches.

Here are some observations, news and notes:

Chans Cox works out on muscle beach.

LB Chans Cox was wearing a walking boot on his right foot. DieHardDevil.com discovered that Cox broke his foot at the Tuesday practice when another player accidentally stepped on it the wrong way during some drills. Cox will be out for the remainder of spring practice to heal up, but will be ready in the fall for the 2013 season. Tough break for a kid who enrolled at ASU early to participate in spring ball.

LB Carl Bradford is a bad man. During some defensive drills, Bradford hit a large tackling dummy pad, which is weighted down with a heavy metal frame and base, wrapped it up and threw the entire thing on the ground like a rag doll. He looks to be in extremely great shape and we expect him to have a breakout season in 2013.

OL Christian Westerman looks good in maroon & gold. Westerman is wearing #55 and looks like a stud out there. He has great size and looks to be in excellent shape. Although he has to sit out a season, it is a big bonus for ASU that he can practice with the team, setting the standard and pushing the other offensive lineman.

Alden Darby and teammates wait their turn at practice.

DB Laiu Moeakiola was laying out some physical hits during some live action. At one point, Mike Bercovici kept the ball on run play and Moeakiola met him in the secondary and laid a ferocious hit that leveled the QB. To his credit, Berco jumped up immediately and hustled back for the next play. Good to see tough players on both sides of the ball.

ASU fans, get out to some of the practices and take a closer look at Sun Devil Football. This is a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the players and coaches and see how hard this team is working to build a championship program.

Remaining Practice Schedule (ALL PRACTICES ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)

Saturday, March 23 — 8:30 a.m. @SDS (Sun Devil Youth Experience Clinic to follow)
Sunday, March 24 — 5 p.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Tuesday, March 26 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Thursday, March 28 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Saturday, March 30 — time TBA
Tuesday, April 2 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Thursday, April 4 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Saturday, April 6 — time TBA
Tuesday, April 9 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Thursday, April 11 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Saturday, April 13 — 11 a.m. Annual Football Fan Fest presented by MidFirst Bank (Sun Devil Stadium) Pac-12 Networks
Tuesday, April 16 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)
Thursday, April 18 — 8:30 a.m. (Kajikawa Practice Facility)