Wide receiver follows in the footsteps of his coach to Tempe
The relationships you forge during the recruiting process are the ones that dictate your ultimate destination. Wide receiver John Humphrey is proof of that theory when he committed to Oklahoma as well as his decision today to transfer to ASU.
“Coach (Jay) Norvell and I have a special bond,” Humphrey said. “That was the strongest bond out of any coach who recruited me out of high school. We used to talk about a lot of things outside of football. We still have that bond. It was tough when he left Oklahoma.
“When I decided to transfer my first call was to Arizona State and Jay Norvell.”
The 5-11 169-pound Humphrey was committed to Baylor but after attending an Oklahoma satellite camp in Houston and working under the tutelage of Norvell that day, he decided to switch his allegiances. He signed as part of the Sooners’ 2015 class and redshirted that season. Following this year’s spring practice, the wide receiver felt that it was time for a change and decided to “take my talents somewhere else.”
Humphrey didn't have a chance to run track, a sport that he feels very passionate about, at Oklahoma. The opportunity to be a dual-sport athlete with the Sun Devils was another aspect that figured into his transfer decision. The sprinter was clocked at a personal best of 10.22 seconds in the 100M, and 20.60 in the 200M.
“Arizona State wants me to both (sports),” Humphrey noted, “and I want to do both.”
Therefore, it should probably come as no surprise as to which player on the ASU squad caught Humphrey’s attention when watching the Sun Devils play last year.
“The Pac-12 gives me the Air Raid offense and the up tempo (pace),” Humphrey explained. “I love playing with speed and in that type of environment. I watched Arizona State a couple of times, and I see me doing the same stuff Tim White does. This offense really fits me.
“I know the school is number one in Innovation in the country and that caught my attention too. My family and I really want to earn a degree and I will take full advantage of that.”
Humphrey expects to be in Tempe in the first week of July, and will have to sit out the 2016 season due to NCAA transfer rules. Nonetheless, he is more than prepared to utilize that time the best he can for simply one specific goal.
“One word – improve,” Humphrey stated. “I want to improve in every category possible. My speed is up to par but I want to be faster. I want to be one of the fastest players in college football. I want to get bigger too. I’m going to also hit the books.
“I’m going to take advantage of the year I sit out and just perfect my craft, excel in the classroom and do well in the program.”
