TEMPE, Ariz. — Freshman Jaden Rashada, a former star at Pittsburg High in the East Bay, will start the season as Arizona State’s quarterback, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
Rashada will start the Sun Devils’ opener against Southern Utah on Aug. 31, the person said on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced.
Phoenix radio host John Gambadoro first reported Rashada will start the opener.
Rashada was in a three-man competition with returner Trenton Bourguet and Notre Dame transfer Drew Pyne entering fall camp. Pyne had a setback when he suffered a hamstring injury in a scrimmage and has been out.
In his senior high school season, Rashada passed for 3,055 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 419 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground for Pittsburg, leading the East Bay school to winning the NCS Division I and NorCal 1-A championships. He was named to Bay Area News Group’s 2022 first team for quarterbacks.
A former four-star recruit, Rashada initially committed to Miami before switching to Florida. He asked for his release in January after a lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) deal fell through and eventually signed with the Sun Devils in February.
The 6-foot-4, 185-pound quarterback impressed new Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham with his athleticism and decision-making throughout camp, earning him the nod over Bourguet.
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“He’s getting better every day,” Dillingham said earlier in camp. “He’s making throws out here that are top-notch NFL throws that our team sees and it’s exciting to see.”
Bourguet started five games for the Sun Devils last season, throwing for 1,490 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions.
