The seed was planted at the airport.
In 2011, D.J. Foster was on his way to Berkeley for an official visit at the University of California. Arizona State’s new coaching staff, on the job for just a few days, was scrambling, trying to get up to speed with recruiting. The Foster family hadn’t been thrilled with ASU’s previous coaching staff, but it was curious about this new group.
Chris Thomsen – then the Sun Devils’ running backs coach, today their offensive line coach – first met Foster and his family at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Offensive coordinator Mike Norvell grabbed a set of keys – he doesn’t remember whose – and quickly followed.