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Arizona State's Graham names Wilkins starting quarterback

Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports

Manny Wilkins is the man under center for Arizona State; that is until someone convinces Todd Graham otherwise.

The Sun Devils' head coach deviated from last year's strategy of not naming a starting quarterback by unequivocally stating the job is Wilkins' to lose, according to Doug Haller of azcentral.com. Wilkins saw the brunt of the work last season despite dealing with injuries throughout the campaign.

"We have a returning starter," Graham said. "He’s the starting quarterback until someone beats him out. Is there competition? Big-time competition."

That competition comes in the form of Alabama transfer Blake Barnett, a former five-star recruit who opened last season as the starter for the Crimson Tide.

"Blake knows (the situation)," Graham said. "He has to beat (Wilkins) out. I’m looking forward to seeing that competition."

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