Jaden Rashada, the starting quarterback for the previous season and a former five-star prospect, left the ASU football program on Thursday when he went through the transfer portal. As a true freshman, Rashada played in four games for the Florida Gators before switching to the Arizona State Sun Devils in 2023. He finished with 485 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. But on Friday, ASU lost another elite player, one who just so happened to be far more successful on the field than Rashada.
Elijhah Badger, the top wide receiver for the Sun Devils, will go through the transfer portal, according to Chris Karpman of 247Sports. Texas A&M Aggies and Alabama football are potential contenders for Badger, according to Karpman. A&M offered Badger; Alabama never did.
Elijah Badger is no longer at ASU football after four seasons. He now resides in Tempe, Arizona. A four-star prospect who was ranked sixth among athletes in the 2020 class by 247Sports, he chose ASU over Texas A&M, Arizona, Colorado, and Florida, among other schools.
Before catching seven passes for 61 yards in 2021, Badger did not log a reception in his rookie campaign. The Sacramento, California, team’s dismal 3-9 record did not stop them from posting career numbers in 2022. Badger hauled in seven touchdowns and set a franchise record with 70 receptions and 866 yards. In late October, he had consecutive 100-yard receiving performances against Colorado and Stanford. Last season, Badger’s output decreased as ASU football struggled in the Pac-12. The six-foot-two, 195-pound player recorded three touchdowns, 713 yards, and 65 receptions. Moreover, he had 20 kick returns for 578 yards. In addition, Badger ran with the ball 11 times for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Elijah Badger has shown flashes of elite talent over the last two seasons, but Karpman thinks his departure won’t spell disaster for ASU football. The receiving room for the Sun Devils is spacious and deep. The wideout group will now be led by Jordyn Tyson. Tyson spent the previous season with the Colorado Buffaloes, catching 22 catches for 470 yards and four touchdowns.
Receivers Xavier Guillory, Jake Smith, Melquan Stovall, and Troy Omeire will all be important players for ASU come fall. In his first season with the Sun Devils last year, Omeire—a transfer from the Texas Longhorns—caught 20 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns. In 2023, Stovall caught 18 passes in 12 games, and Smith—a native of Arizona and a previous top prospect—will make a comeback to the football field.
prosperous 2019 true freshmen campaign. In contrast, Guillory finished the previous season with 21 receptions, 226 yards, and a score. You can follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa to participate in more discussions and get more football news. I welcome your opinions and observations at all times. Additionally, you can contact me by email at musaalec@gmail.com. to see more of our writing and stay current on NFL and college news
