Devil's Junkie Podcast

Ralph Amsden dissects Arizona State's 52-31 Sun Bowl loss to North Carolina State while driving back from El Paso, and attempts to connect the errors of this particular game to recurring themes of the Todd Graham era. Armand Perry joins the podcast to talk about his life away from football, as well as what Todd Graham helped instill in him as a football player and young man. Finally, Ralph breaks down what Herm Edwards' priorities will be as he takes over Arizona State football.  Breakdown (96 minutes) Introduction: Ralph Amsden discusses Arizona State's loss to North Carolina State, and includes press conference comments from Todd Graham. Former Arizona State defensive back Armand Perry (36:20): Armand Perry discusses what he saw on the field at the 2017 Sun Bowl, and how he believes they'll regroup. Perry also discusses what he's been up to since retiring from football, and how Todd Graham positively affected his life beyond the gridiron. What's in a legacy? (42:30): Ralph Amsden works through the complex l

Hod Rabino joins Ralph Amsden to discuss the roller coaster of events that took place this past weekend, including the Territorial Cup victory and the firing of Todd Graham.  Breakdown (98 minutes) Introduction: Ralph Amsden breaks down a chronological order of events, from DevilsDigest.com reporting Todd Graham would be fired on Friday evening, to Ray Anderson and Todd Graham's post-firing press conferences on Sunday afternoon. DevilsDigest.com Publisher Hod Rabino (52:27): An analysis of all that led tot he firing of Todd Graham, as well as the lasting impact of Ray Anderson's decision. Final Thoughts (1:25:33): Ralph Amsden breaks down what this firing means for Ray Anderson's potential legacy at Arizona State.

Arizona State lost 44-37 to a team they should have beat. What went wrong? I re-hash the UCLA debacle and muse on a few other topics (like home attendance) during my drive back from the Rose Bowl. 

After Arizona State's 30-10 win over Utah in Salt Lake City, Devil's Junkie Podcast Host Ralph Amsden shares his thoughts about the sudden resurgence of the program while driving back through Utah and Northern Arizona on the way to Tempe. How has Todd Graham and his staff accomplished this? Can they match up with USC? Here's a one-hour stream-of-consciousness on those topics and more. 

In the wake of a 34-24 loss in Palo Alto, Ralph Amsden and Chilly did a post-Stanford Periscope session, answering questions and musing on Arizona State's strengths and weaknesses five games into a 2-3 season. This is the audio from that Periscope session. 

After Arizona State's 52-45 loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock, Devil's Junkie Podcast Host Ralph Amsden shares his thoughts about the state of the program while driving back through west Texas and New Mexico on the way to Tempe. Is the program in the right hands? Can the reset of conference play provide an opportnity to right the ship? Here's a 90-minute stream-of-consciousness on those topics and more. 

Arizona State landed talented St. John Bosco RB Demetrious Flowers as part of a two-day run that saw three California prospects commit to the Sun Devils. Flowers talks with Ralph Amsden about his recruitment, and what led to his decision to head to Tempe next year. 

Arizona State's second of three commitments in a three day span, 2018 Mission Viejo LB Christian LaValle, talks with Ralph Amsden of The Devil's Junkie Podcast about what led to his verbal pledge to the Sun Devils.

2018 Calabasas outside linebacker Reggie Hughes announced his commitment to Arizona State via social media on Monday, June 19th, and was kind enough to join me for a quick recap of what went into his decision. 

In this 2+ hour extended episode of The Devil's Junkie Podcast, Ralph Amsden goes in depth with members of the Devil's Digest staff on football, basketball and baseball. First, Ralph talks about some of the recent departures from the program, as well as some other media reports involving Arizona State football. Then, publisher Hod Rabino drops in to talk about who ASU fans can expect to step up in the wake of Kareem Orr's transfer and Armand Perry's medical retirement. Next, Speak of the Devils co-host Joe Healey talks about the recently released gametimes for ASU football's forst three contests, as well as what he's discovered during his series of in depth previews of the Sun Devils' 2017 foes. We also have Justin Toscano on the podcast to discuss Bobby Hurley's May 31st press conference, as well as give his impression of the 2017-2018 ASU basketball squad. Finally, Justin addresses the drama filled baseball season from the perspective of one of the closest reporters to the action, and discusses whether he f

In this 80 Minute Episode Ralph Amsden interviews Rivals Southeast Recruiting Analyst Woody Wommack, Arizona State Offensive Lineman Marshal Nathe, and DevilsDigest.com publisher Hod Rabino.  Intro: What will it take to get ASU football to the next level? Recruiting Update (13:30): Arizona State is at the bottom of the Pac-12 2018 verbal commitment totem poll. A look into why ASU has started slowly- plus, who is ASU looking at and what positions are they prioritizing? Interview with Woody Wommack (37:45): Who performed well in the Rivals regional combine and camp in Los Angeles? Why has ASU largely missed on the players they've recruited from the southeast? Interview with Marshal Nathe (56:40): Marshal Nathe talks about his experience coming back from injury, transitioning to center, and how his family and coach Graham have shaped his values, work ethic and leadership ability. Interview with Hod Rabino (1:05:20): A look at why players cycle in and out of the basketball program with relative frequency, and whe

Saturday, March 18th was Arizona State's 2017 Spring Junior Day. Some of the best and brightest of the class of 2018 made the trip to Sun Devil Stadium to from all over the southwest, where they observed practice, met with coaches, and sat through presentations on the future of Sun Devil football. On this special episode of The Devil's Junkie Podcast, I talk to 13 players that visited the campus for Junior Day, and get their feedback on what they saw.  Chandler (AZ) Hamilton QB Tyler Shough (1:00) Gilbert (AZ) Perry QB Brock Purdy (6:35) Scottsdale (AZ) Notre Dame Prep ATH Cole Fisher (10:10) Phoenix (AZ) Mountain Pointe S Kenny Churchwell (13:55) Scottsdale (AZ) Saguaro ATH Giovanni Miranda (20:50) Safford (AZ) OT Ralph Frias (25:30) Phoenix (AZ) Pinnacle OT Ben Fox (30:30) Chandler (AZ) Hamilton DE/OLB Brayden Flynn (37:20) Phoenix (AZ) Mountain Pointe RB Gary Bragg (42:55) San Bernardino (CA) Aquinas RB Branden Rankins (46:50) Manvel (TX) CB Kameron Pedesleaux (51:30) Newbury Park (CA) DT Kamakani Crosby (

In this 59-minute episode of the Devil's Junkie Podcast Ralph Amsden gets into the first few practices of the 2017 spring session. Does this Arizona State team have an identity? How are the new coaches faring? Which players have made strides forward? How should fans approach 2017 knowing that it's likely make or break for this staff? We get into all that in this episode, as well as conversations with senior running backs Kalen Ballage and Demario Richard. Devils Digest staff writer Fabian Ardaya talks about the Sun Devils' offense and the quarterback battle, while Devils Digest publisher talks about the defense, Todd Graham's evolution as a coach, and the message board community Rabino has helped foster over the last two decades. Finally, Ralph Amsden answers questions from Devils Digest subscribers. Intro What have spring practices looked like? How should fans view this 2017 team? Interview with Kalen Ballage (18:40) Ballage had an opportunity to pursue an NFL career- instead, he returned for his senior seas

The Devil's Junkie Podcast, S3E3 (80 minutes): 2017 could bring good things for Arizona State football and basketball, so long as everything goes according to plan. Will it? Ralph Amsden addresses concerns with the way the basketball team is constructed, whether the 2017 football signing class will make an impact, and the non-stop football coaching carousel. He also breaks down who ASU football is looking to recruit in the early stages of the 2018 cycle, and takes questions from DevilsDigest subscribers. Intro A look at the shortcomings of this year's ASU basketball team in the wake of a 68-43 home loss to Cal, and a discussion about whether or not they're primed for future success.  Segment 2 (7:20) A breakdown of ASU football's 2017 signing class. Will they make an impact right away?  Segment 3 (27:30) Arizona State can't seem to stop hiring coaches that end up linked to jobs elsewhere. Why is this happening, and how will it affect Todd Graham? Is there an end in sight to the non-stop coaching carousel?  S

In this edition of the Devil's Junkie Podcast, Ralph Amsden examines the make-up of the coaching staff after the arrival of Billy Napier, previews ASU's 2017 class on the eve on signing day, talks with some walk-ons that the Sun Devils are bringing into the program, and takes questions from the Devil's Digest subscribers. 

Season 3 of The Devil's Junkie Podcast kicks off with host Ralph Amsden examining the recent coaching departures, as well as how they're impacting both recruiting and Arizona State's impact in the Pac-12.  Intro: Ralph compares Arizona State's recent coaching carousel to the smash hit film, Good Luck Chuck. A film, ironically, directed by a man named Mark Helfrich. Segment 1 (3:45) Why did Chip Lindsey leave for Auburn? A look at how Arizona State lost their second offensive coordinator in two years, as well as an examination of how all the rest of the assistant coaching changes Arizona State has experienced are impacting Arizona State's ability to be succesful on the field, as well as in recruiting. Segment 2 (22:13) What direction will the Sun Devils go in theis search for an offensive coordinator? A look and the candidates, and why they might, or might not fit.  Segment 3 (37:35) Arizona State has managed to secure a decent amount of talent over the last two seasons in spite of instability. Ralph breaks do