ASU football notebook: Consistency could hand McGaha starting receiver job

CAMP TONTOZONA • Chris McGaha is not the flashiest receiver for Arizona State, but he is one of the most reliable — one of the biggest reasons he is at the top of the depth chart.

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“Well, I’d still like to be flashy,” McGaha said, smiling. “Consistency is good, though.”

The Sun Devils’ first-team receivers during recent workouts have been Michael Jones, Kyle Williams and McGaha, a 6-foot-1, 189-pound sophomore who the coaching staff has labeled, “Mr. Consistent.”

McGaha played in all 13 games last year, starting the last five. He had 16 receptions for 238 yards and three touchdowns.

“He doesn’t make mistakes, he never misses practices and is never hurt,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “He doesn’t drop passes. He’s a good player that you know you can count on.”

Monday afternoon’s practice was one of McGaha’s best, with the highlight his outdueling cornerback Justin Tryon for the ball in the end zone.

McGaha, who will also line up on the kickoff return team, said the experience he gained last season built his confidence.

“I’ve progressed in my knowledge of the game,” McGaha said. “With a year under my belt, I feel comfortable. … Beating my stats from last season is my only goal — and that shouldn’t be hard.”

KICKING UPDATE

In the two practices on Monday, Thomas Weber made 5 of 9 field-goal attempts, and Zach Richards was 7-for-9. For the last kick of the afternoon practice, a 52-yarder, Erickson asked the entire team to gather around the field-goal unit to “put some pressure on these guys.”

With the players waving and yelling, Richards made a 52-yarder, while Weber was just wide left.

Erickson said Weber is ahead in the competition due to his spring experience.

“But we’ll see what happens,” Erickson said. “We’ll put these guys in game situations in our last two scrimmages. … I could take it down to the last day and make a switch before the first game if he isn’t kicking well.”

INJURY REPORT

An MRI exam on defensive end Tranell Morant revealed a cartilage tear in his right knee. Erickson said he is expected back in two weeks.

Defensive end Eric Tanner has a bone bruise in his knee and will not put weight on it for a week. It should heal quickly, Erickson said.

EXTRA POINTS

The weather affected Camp Tontozona for the first time since the team arrived on Wednesday, as the afternoon practice was delayed for 14 minutes due to nearby lightning. Erickson sent the players into the cafeteria for cover. …

Keegan Herring delivered the trash-talk line of camp after McGaha beat Tryon. Herring yelled to Tryon: “You didn’t see him because your nose got in the way!”