2026 Season Preview
Projected Depth Chart
Head Coach: Kenny Dillingham
Offensive Coordinator: Marcus Arroyo
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Ward
2025 Record: 8-5
2025 Big 12 Finish: 6-3 (t-4)
2026 Record Projection:
Ceiling: 8 Wins
Floor: 4 Wins
Top NFL Prospects: Omarion Miller, Owen Long
Biggest Impact Transfers: Omarion Miller, Cutter Boley
Most Likely Impact Freshmen: Jake Fette, Julian Hugo
Biggest Strength: Transfer talent in the secondary and skill position athleticism
Biggest Concern: Offensive line depth and quarterback consistency
Biggest Game: Texas Tech
Trap Game: Hawaii
QB: Cutter Boley enters the season as the favorite to win the job, but quarterback still feels like one of the biggest question marks on the roster. Boley flashed real talent at Kentucky with his size and arm strength, but the consistency was never fully there. At times he looked capable of becoming a high-level starter and at other times the offense struggled to find rhythm. The good news is the room does have other options if needed. Cameron Dyer has some intriguing physical tools and true freshman Jake Fette is talented enough that he could eventually force his way into the conversation. Ideally ASU lets the young quarterbacks develop slowly, but the room at least has some upside behind Boley if things become unstable.
RB: Marquis Gillis brings experience and toughness while David Avit gives the offense another physical downhill runner who should fit well in this scheme. Both players are capable of carrying a heavy workload and Arizona State probably does not need one true feature back for this group to succeed. The interesting name to watch may be Kyson Brown. Arizona State expects him to return to his 2024 form or possibly take another step forward this season after showing flashes earlier in his career. The overall room may not have a national star yet, but the depth and versatility here should keep the rushing attack productive.
WR/TE: The success of Arizona State’s transfer wide receivers may ultimately determine how far this offense can go in 2026. Omarion Miller arrives with proven talent and big-play ability while Reed Harris brings size and another matchup problem on the outside. Raiden Vines-Bright also adds athleticism and versatility to the room. On paper, the group looks deeper and more explosive than last season, but the transfers still need to produce consistently in this offense. At tight end, Kristian Ingman gives the offense a dependable target while Khamari Anderson excels as a blocker and brings valuable experience to the unit. There is enough talent here for the passing attack to become dangerous if the new pieces settle in quickly.
OL: Like many teams around the country, the offensive line currently looks like one of the weaker units on the roster, but it is not without potential once the positions and rotations settle in. Luke Baklenko and Jalen Klemm bring valuable experience at tackle. Maki Stewart gives the interior size and physicality. The biggest issue is overall depth and consistency. Several younger players may be forced into meaningful snaps earlier than expected. The unit is still searching for its best combination. There is enough size and upside here to become serviceable by the middle of the season, but early growing pains would not be surprising.
DL: This unit is probably the biggest weakness on the roster. There is enough edge talent to generate pressure with Emar’rion Winston and Jalen Thompson, but the interior remains largely projection-based entering the season. Blazen Lono-Wong and Ramar Williams both have upside, yet neither has fully established himself against high-level rushing attacks. The path for this unit is pretty clear. The edge rush needs to create pressure without heavy blitzing and at least one younger player like Julian Hugo needs to emerge in the rotation. Right now the group looks more athletic than dominant.
LB: Linebacker has a chance to become one of the more dependable units on the roster. Owen Long and Martell Hughes both bring experience and production to the middle of the defense while Ramere Davis gives the group additional speed and range. Long in particular looks like a player NFL scouts will continue watching closely if he puts together another strong season. This unit may not get much national attention, but it has enough experience and athleticism to stabilize the defense if the front line holds up in front of them.
DB: The Sun Devils brought in some real dudes through the portal and this secondary has a chance to become one of the better units in the Big 12 by the end of the season. Ashton Stamps arrives with proven SEC experience while Adrian Wilson, Lyrik Rawls, Jessiah McGrew, and Chance Rucker all bring starting-level ability from previous stops. There is length, athleticism, and versatility across the room. The biggest challenge early will be communication and chemistry since so many new pieces are expected to play major snaps immediately. Still, the overall talent upgrade here is obvious and this group has a much higher ceiling than Arizona State showed in the secondary last season.
ST: The special teams unit was solid last season and maintaining that level of play is the goal entering 2026. Carson Smith looks like a reliable portal addition at kicker while Kanyon Floyd returns at punter after showing flashes last year. Former Ohio State transfer Nick McLarty was also brought in to push Floyd during camp and create more competition at the position. This may not be a flashy group, but there are enough experienced options here to keep special teams from becoming a weakness.
Coach: Kenny Dillingham enters his fourth season leading the program and the continuity on the staff has become one of the biggest reasons for the turnaround in Tempe. Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and defensive coordinator Brian Ward have now worked alongside Dillingham for multiple seasons and the stability has helped establish a much clearer identity on both sides of the ball. The roster still has holes, but the staff has done a strong job rebuilding the overall talent level through high school recruiting and the portal. This no longer looks like a rebuilding program. The next step is proving the foundation can hold after losing a major piece like Sam Leavitt.
Outlook: This looks more like a regrouping year than a true Big 12 title push. The roster still has enough talent to stay competitive and reach a bowl game, but several important areas are being rebuilt at the same time. Road trips and tough matchups against Texas A&M, Texas Tech, and BYU will test the roster quickly. There is upside in the secondary and skill positions, yet the offensive and defensive lines still need to prove they can consistently hold up over a full conference schedule. The foundation of the program is stronger now than it was before Dillingham arrived.
NAME — CLASS — HT/WT — LAST YEAR
QB
1. Cutter Boley — SO — 6'5"/210 — Kentucky
2. Cameron Dyer — FR — 6'3"/215 — ASI
RB
1. Marquis Gillis — GR — 6'0"/210 — Del St
2. David Avit — SR — 6'0"/225 — NOVA
WR
1. Reed Harris — JR — 6'5"/217 — BC
1. Omarion Miller — SR — 6'2"/210 — COLO
1. Raiden Vines-Bright — SO —6'1"/200— WASH
2. Derek Eusebio — JR — 5'9"/185 — ASU
2. Jalen Moss — SR — 6'1"/185 — ASU
2. Jaren Hamilton — JR — 6'0"/210 — ASU
TE
1. Kristian Ingman — JR — 6'5"/235 — Por St
2. Khamari Anderson — SR — 6'5"/255 — ASU
T
1. Luke Baklenko — SR — 6'6"/313 — OKLA
1. Jalen Klemm — SR — 6'6"/295 — ASU
2. Champ Westbrooks — SO — 6'5"/295 — ASU
2. Rob Lapuaho — FR — 6'6"/335 — ASU
G
1. Maki Stewart — SO — 6'5"/360 — ASU
1. Makua Pule — JR — 6'3"/305 — ASU
2. Terrell Kim — SO — 6'3"/330 — ASU
2. Matai Jefferson — FR — 6'4"/350 — ASU
C
1. Tana Alo-Tupuola — JR — 6'2"/325 — GTech
2. Wade Helton — SO — 6'4"/310 — ASU
DE
1. Emar'rion Winston — SR — 6'5"/247 — BAY
1. Jalen Thompson — SR — 6'3"/260 — Mich St
2. Roman Pitre — SR — 6'5"/255 — ASU
2. Julian Hugo — FR — 6'4"/250 — HS
DT
1. Blazen Lono-Wong — JR — 6'4"/290 — ASU
1. Ramar Williams — SO — 6'3"/275 — ASU
2. Zac Swanson — JR — 6'5"/295 — ASUB
2. Rashad McKenzie — JR — 6'5"/295 — ASU
LB
1. Owen Long — JR — 6'2"/230 — Col St
1. Martell Hughes — JR — 6'2"/220 — ASU
2. Ramere Davis — SO — 6'1"/205 — NAU
2. Zyrus Fiaseu — SR — 6'0"/235 — ASU
CB
1. Ashton Stamps — JR — 6'0"/190 — LSU
1. Rodney Bimage Jr. — SO — 6'0"/190 — ASU
2. Chance Rucker — JR — 6'1"/179— Mich St
2. Montana Warren — JR — 6'0"/200 — ASU
NB
1. Adrian Wilson — JR — 6'0"/210 — ASU
2. Kyan McDonald — JR — 5'11"/180 — ASU
S
1. Jessiah McGrew — SO — 6'2"/185 — FIU
1. Lyrik Rawls — GR — 6'1"/205 — Kansas
2. A. Belgrave-Shorter—SO—6'0"/200 — PSU
2. Maurice Williams — JR — 6'1"/205 — ASU
K
1. Carson Smith — R-SR — 5'11"/175 — Aus PP
P
1. Kanyon Floyd — JR — 6'0"/190 — ASU
Swing Players
Cutter Boley, Maki Stewart, and Emar’rion Winston may ultimately decide how successful this season becomes. Boley controls the ceiling of the offense and Dillingham needs him to create more explosive plays through the air. Stewart is one of the most important pieces on an offensive line that still has plenty to prove heading into conference play. He has already shown he can open running lanes in the ground game, but improving in pass protection is the next major step in his development. Winston gives the defensive front its best chance at developing a reliable pass rush without heavy blitzing. If all three put together strong seasons, the Sun Devils should be firmly in the bowl conversation and capable of pushing toward the upper half of the Big 12 standings.