The rebuilding of Sun Devil football is entering its second year under Kenny Dillingham. Last season was full of adversity, but through the wave of injuries and obstacles, there were signs of growth. Arguably the most promising development was the play of the defense.

In his first year as ASU's defensive coordinator, Valley native Brian Ward oversaw a unit that flashed some tantalizing potential, highlighted by the masterful performance against Washington. There were some late-season struggles, but armed with a season of experience in the scheme and a wave of talented newcomers, Ward's group could be primed for bigger things in the Big 12 this fall.

On this episode, Brian and I discuss how the scheme is coming along in Year 2, the likely adjustments for Big 12 ball, the next wave of team leaders, how each level of the defense is shaping up, his new favorite Valley burrito spot, and much more