Bowl practices can prove to be invaluable for a younger ASU roster

The luxury of time has not been lost on Arizona State, as the program maximizes multiple weeks of practices before a matchup against Duke in the Sun Bowl on New Year’s Eve. On Saturday, the team practiced with extra intensity, as the younger players and those outside the two-deep got to scrimmage for multiple drives, tackling to the ground in live sessions. 

The physical football for the young players brings excitement to seventh-year running backs coach Shaun Aguano. As he described it, this stretch operates similarly to a spring camp with practices stretching over half the week. 

“It’s awesome to practice in December,” Aguano said Saturday. “You know you’re playing another game and we’re in this weather at 70 whatever degrees it is. The guys are having fun and get you back in the groove again, and so we’re excited about it. 

“With all of these practices, it gives us almost like a full spring ball. So, it gives us a secondary spring ball to get them ready, get their mindset going into the (2026 season), what our room is going to look like. And so, I’m excited for these young guys to get as many reps as possible.”

Time on the field and time on task can help players progress quickly. Freshman running back Demarius “Man Man” Robinson earned touches in seven games in 2025, having a season-high five carries for 13 yards against Texas State. 

Although Robinson showed exciting flashes of acceleration and speed at 5-foot-9, his two fumbles over the last three games were a reminder of the learning curve players his age have to go through. Robinson did edge out consistent game time compared to other young backs in the room, and Aguano is excited to see what the rest of the position group room can achieve over the next few weeks.

“It’s always hard for a freshman to come in,” Aguano said in regard to Robinson. “You’re coming from somewhere that you’ve been the guy and you’ve been playing all the time, and now all the intricacies of being the running back, the protections, the route concepts, and so it’s hard for them, and so now they’re getting much more reps and kind of slow everything down. 

“Then the other guys that haven’t been getting reps during the season now are getting a little bit more, and so they feel more involved, and so it’s always a good learning period for us in December.” 

Aguano claimed that several of the underclassmen running backs will play against the Blue Devils, but he isn’t sure of how much yet, as ASU hasn’t begun its true game planning in practices (that stage will begin next week). Regardless, the upcoming opportunity is an exhilarating one for him and all of the running backs. 

“I’m excited for all of them in our room,” Aguano said. “It should be a time for them to show what they got on a big stage.” 

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From Robinson’s perspective, he claimed to have learned a lot over the course of year one, and as he continued to play, his confidence and knowledge improved. 

“I’m just grateful that they really trusted me,” Robinson said. “So now, I’m gonna work hard for my teammates so I can put my talents on display.”

Ahead of the season, it seemed unlikely Robinson would gain the favor of the coaching staff this quickly. The running back room was slated to be a three-headed attack from juniors Raleek Brown, Kyson Brown, and Kanye Udoh. 

Raleek Brown dominated for the Sun Devils, leading the Big 12 in all-purpose yards per game with 120.5. Kyson Brown, however, missed the majority of the season after suffering an injury in week 2 that continued to linger, and Udoh teetered in and out of the rotation. 

Still, Robinson learned from all of them, especially Raleek Brown, since they share similar statures and play styles. 

“A lot of talent in the room, probably the best talent I’ve seen around football,” Robinson claimed. “I learned a lot, especially from [Raleek] because me and him, we’ve got the same game. Just learning how to maneuver, make people miss, read gaps, especially at our size.”

The next steps for Robinson are to continue on his current pace. Over the spring, he plans to get stronger and learn from his coaching staff to be ready for the 2026 campaign. 

“I’m just keeping my head down to work,” Robinson remarked. “Put more muscle on me. Probably get about like 180, 185 (lbs.) somewhere around there. So, I keep the same speed. Keep getting in the film room, learning, and stuff, and get ready, get ready to work for next season.”

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Robinson wasn’t the only offensive freshman who gave cause for excitement, as tight end AJ Ia also fit that description. Although his one reception in the regular season came in a 42-10 defeat against Utah, he, too, had the opportunity to benefit from a loaded tight ends room packed with veterans. 

“I feel like learning from like the older guys like [Khamari Anderson] [Chamon Metayer], and [Cameron Harpole] was a good experience just be able to be behind them,” Ia Described.

AJ Ia didn’t experience much game time, 35 offensive snaps over ten games, but the former four-star recruit hasn’t felt hard done by the lack of gameday appearances.

“I feel like it was just a blessing in disguise because a lot of people can be blinded by the fact that they’re not playing,” Ia noted. “But I still feel like just being able to be behind those guys and as good as a blocker and good as like a complete tight end as [Metayer and Harpole]. Just being able to learn from them is always good.”

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