If you're looking for an indication of whether or not Arizona State players are enjoying first-year head coach Herm Edwards, just talk with sophomore cornerback Chase Lucas.

Lucas, entering his second season as a projected starter for the Sun Devils, has never been bashful. In fact, he’s essentially the opposite — he’s one of the most animated players on the team. That energy has always been present even when he speaks to media.

But Thursday, when asked about his experience with Edwards through five practice sessions, Lucas was truly brimming with enthusiasm.

“It’s just love,” Lucas said of the vibe surrounding ASU since Edwards’ hire, grinning ear to ear. “You get to do what you want to do, but you’ve still got to follow orders, just like a professional practice. Like an NFL practice. I love it. I love the atmosphere around here. I think our team is getting a good chemistry together, so I'm loving it guys.

“I'm lov-ing it.”

Lucas said that practices have been much more fun under Edwards, who implements an NFL-style schedule. It’s created a spirit that’s almost a complete 180-degree turn from what was tangible at sessions under former coach Todd Graham, who was relieved of his duties at the end of last season.

Graham was prone to coach tough, love tougher, and instill a disciplined mindset, according to Lucas. But with Edwards, who played 10 seasons in the NFL and spent eight as a head coach, Lucas insisted the setting is much more relaxed.

“A guy like Herm — Herm is one of us,” Lucas said. “Herm is one of the guys. He kind of explained that to us. He was like, ‘I’m gonna be in the locker room. I’m gonna be joking with you guys, clowning with you guys.’ He’s like, ‘Don’t think you’re in trouble.’ He’s just one of the guys.”

The loose environment has enabled players to more freely express themselves. For example, under Graham, players weren’t allowed to wear earrings under their helmets, and it was discouraged to wear beanies and hats around the facility. But with Edwards that’s all changed. Lucas said he feels the phrase “if you look good, you feel good and play good” is wholly applicable to ASU now.

“I used to walk in, we used to have hoodies on or beanies on, and coach Graham would be like, ‘Take it off,’” Lucas said. “With Herm, I walked in there with a beanie on, I’m like, ‘Oh, no.’ I started taking it off, he’s like ‘What are you doing?’ I’m like ‘Alright!’

“You just have your own swag, your own freedom. But like I said, when it’s time to work, when it’s time to get the job done, he’s going to rely on you and he’s going to be hard on you. But after that, after you guys get out of practice, he’s going to be joking with you just like you guys were boys.”

Lucas said he has a personality akin to that of Edwards and vice versa. Recently, the two were at a Zipps Sports Grill during a recruiting visit, when two young girls approached him, pen and paper in hand.

“Before they could say anything, (Edwards) goes, ‘Hey, you guys play volleyball?’” Lucas explained. “They’re like, ‘Yeah.’ And he’s like, ‘Can I get your guys’ autographs?’ And they literally, he made them sign his little napkin. And then he goes, ‘Can I take a picture?’ He’s a great guy.”

Edwards’ jovial personality and passion for the game has manifested itself on the field just as markedly. Lucas said he can crack a joke or make a witty remark at Edwards, and the 63-year-old will quip back.

“He could be 73 and still be one of the guys,” Lucas said. “He’s so cool.”

Though the practice scene has eased, there’s still a level of accountability present among players. Players aren’t as fearful of being immediately pulled after committing an error as they were under Graham. Instead, the mistakes most often result in “Perfect 10s,” 10-yard sprints units will run together as a team for committing “loafs” or errors during practice.

On Thursday, Lucas owed his coaches seven Perfect 10s. The linebacker group owed seven altogether. Lucas told first-year defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales he was going to run the group’s Perfect 10s by himself, but Gonzales ensured the entire defensive unit payed their dues.

“Soon as I got on the line,” said Lucas, “he told everybody, ‘Everybody got on the line!’ and they did them with me. Everybody has a piece of the defense. And if you don’t complete that piece, we need to find somebody else.”

Following an impressive debut season which earned him All-Pac-12 Second Team and USA Freshman All-American honors, Lucas is excited to continue his development under the tutelage of Edwards and first-year defensive backs coach Tony White, who followed Gonzales from San Diego State to ASU this offseason.

“I’m here to be the best corner in the Pac-12, in the country,” Lucas said. “I’m here to be the best player in the country, and (Edwards is) here to coach me to be that. When it’s work time, it’s all work. When it’s time to joke and play, it’s always time to joke and play. I love every second I have with Herm. I love every second I have with White. Everything’s going really great right now.”

Thursday marked just the fifth practice session, but Lucas has been impressed by what Edwards has done so far. The excitement and passion he felt upon committing to ASU nearly three years ago has been rekindled and perhaps set ablaze.

“I love everything about this program,” Lucas said. “I love Arizona State. I’ve loved Arizona State since I got here, but now I really love Arizona State.”

Edwards’ arrival is undoubtedly the reason why.

“Sixty-three years old or not,” Lucas said of Edwards, “he’s like 18, 19 to us. It’s great.”