When Athlon Sports published its annual anonymous coach quotes ahead of the 2025 season, one line about Arizona State stood out: “They’re going to be at the top of the league for a while.”
That’s not just offseason optimism—it’s reality under Kenny Dillingham.
After claiming a Big 12 title and making a Peach Bowl appearance in 2024, the Sun Devils are primed to take another leap. They return an elite quarterback, a veteran-heavy roster, and a coaching staff that’s building a sustainable contender.
Sam Leavitt: Heisman Trajectory
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt is the engine of ASU’s offense and a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. In 2024, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards and 26 touchdowns while adding 443 yards and five scores on the ground. He outdueled multiple top defenses, including Kansas State and Utah, en route to an 11–2 season.
Now, with a full offseason under offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and more weapons around him, Leavitt is set to explode. Sports Illustrated and multiple Heisman futures boards have him among the top five returning quarterbacks nationally.
16 Returning Contributors: Experienced and Dangerous
Continuity is a huge advantage in today’s transfer-heavy college football world, and Arizona State has it in spades. The Sun Devils return 16 key contributors from their 2024 Big 12 championship team, including wideout Jordyn Tyson, tailback Kyson Brown, and safety Xavion Alford, a 2024 first-team All-Big 12 selection.
That kind of returning production—combined with an aggressive defensive front and experienced offensive line—makes ASU one of the most stable and dangerous teams in the country.
Transfer Portal Reload: More Weapons Incoming
Dillingham didn’t just retain talent—he added high-level playmakers through the transfer portal. Alabama wideout Jaren Hamilton, Army running back Kanye Udoh (1,100 yards in 2024), and former Oregon defensive tackle My’Keil Gardner headline a group that boosts both depth and high-end potential.
That mix of homegrown development and plug-and-play transfer talent is exactly why the Sun Devils aren’t just a 2025 threat—they’re a blueprint.
Dillingham’s Culture: Staff That Stays
Kenny Dillingham has turned ASU into a destination for elite coaching minds and recruits alike. Marcus Arroyo (OC), Charlie Ragle (ST), and Diron Reynolds (DL) all return in 2025, giving the program rare continuity. College Football Network ranked Arizona State’s coaching staff among the Big 12’s best—especially in development and recruiting retention.
With Dillingham’s energy, recruiting acumen, and alignment with the athletic department, the Sun Devils aren’t just catching fire—they’re sustaining it.
The Bottom Line: Arizona State isn’t a flash in the pan. With a Heisman-caliber quarterback, a deep and veteran roster, major transfer additions, and elite coaching continuity, the Sun Devils are built for the long haul. That anonymous Big 12 coach wasn’t exaggerating: ASU is built to dominate.
