TEMPE, Ariz. -- Arizona State coach Todd Graham can point to a Pac-12 Championship Game loss in 2013 and a defeat in what was essentially a play-in game in the regular-season finale last year to support his claim that his football team is on the brink of becoming an annual championship contender.
But the Sun Devils have hurdles to overcome as they kick off three weeks of spring practice Monday, culminating in a spring game on Friday, April 10 (7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks).
ASU returns the majority of its starters on both sides of the ball but is dealing with key departures at quarterback, receiver and offensive line. There's a lot to be sorted through this spring, be it working in the philosophies of new special teams coach, Shawn Slocum, or finding out who can be the next offensive star.
ASU might wonder whether a young defense from a season ago can take another step forward. Fans, focusing on the more dynamic positions, might believe that finding the next Jaelen Strong is the most pressing issue. How about considering how much time quarterback Mike Bercovici has to operate?
Jamil Douglas' departure leaves a hole at left tackle, and redshirt senior Evan Goodman enters the spring atop the depth chart. Goodman has been little more than a backup through four seasons at ASU, but Graham says the 6-foot-4, 305-pound athlete has NFL potential.
This is his opportunity to prove it.
The left tackle spot is the most important missing puzzle piece heading into spring. If it's not Goodman, then William McGehee, Quinn Bailey and Christian Westerman will be options.
Graham's defense is far from conventional, but he'd like to get it back to his version of convention. The personnel in 2014 didn't allow for Graham to use his hybrid Devilbacker like he wanted, and the Sun Devils often used true defensive linemen at the position.
Carl Bradford produced at an elite level playing Devilbacker two years ago, and Graham wants a similar player who brings versatility to power through tight ends or around offensive linemen. Junior college signee Davon Durant, who is already enrolled and with the team, could be the leading candidate to play Devilbacker, but he'll have competition from Ismael Murphy-Richardson and Chans Cox.
Graham has called Durant, who is 6-2, 240, one of the most likely newcomers to make an immediate impact. At Devilbacker, he'll be asked to line up anywhere to blitz, cover and confuse opposing quarterbacks.
"Last year we just didn't have a guy who can do that," Graham said in February.
Gump. Everyone else refers to the 5-11, 192-pound De'Chavon Hayes as "Gump," but Graham has another nickname for the running back: "The Playmaker."
Hayes redshirted 2014 after transferring from Lackawanna College, and he'll be one of the three running backs taking part in spring camp. He will also be a punt and kick return man. Graham said Hayes has done a good deal of damage in practice tearing apart ASU's defenses, enough to the point of frustration.
It's all about Hayes' speed.
"This dude's out there, shoom, shoom, this is (against) the first-team defense," Graham said. "Ain't got nobody blocking for him. He's scoring 10 times per practice. They sort of start slinging him down. (I said) 'Hey, hey, hey, boys. This guy's not the scout team quarterback. Treat him with a little respect.'"
* Special teams. The Sun Devils hired former Green Bay Packers special teams coach Shawn Slocum earlier this month, and Graham believes that unit will dictate whether the team takes a major step forward this season. ASU is in a good spot with accurate kicker Zane Gonzalez, and Hayes and Kalen Ballage are expected to improve as return men. The emphasis will be on special teams coverage and the punt game.
* Quick-hit offense. Quarterback Mike Bercovici takes over with Taylor Kelly pursuing his professional career, and Berco's bigger arm has Graham thinking about creating a rhythm passing game similar to the Patriots. Graham envisions an offense similar to his 2007 Tulsa team, which averaged 543.9 yards per game and finished with a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher and three 1,000-yard receivers.
Linebacker Laiu Moeakiola, safety Jordan Simone and center Nick Kelly finished 2014 banged up, and Graham said that trio will be among players who will be taking it easy this spring.
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