TEMPE, Ariz. – While breakout stars on offense garnered national attention during the Sun Devils’ six-game winning streak into the Peach Bowl, it was the defensive side of the ball that truly shone in critical moments. Defensive coordinator Brian Ward’s unit made key stops in tight finishes against UCF and BYU, and suffocated offenses on the road, such as Arizona and Iowa State, en route to blowout wins.
In 2025, the defense is expected to improve with a wealth of experience. It features 10 returning starters – with safety Shamari Simmons being the only departure – and a trio of transfers in the secondary.
The four-man front that was the best in the Big 12 against the run a year ago returns. Senior edge rushers Clayton Smith and Prince Dorbah set the tone on the edge against the ground attack.
This season, however, there is a greater emphasis on getting after the quarterback. Smith logged 4.5 sacks of the team’s mere 24 sacks last season, finishing sixth in the conference. Although Dorbah battled some injuries, he figures to be a key piece again this season. Rounding out the rotation, seniors Elijah O’Neal and Justin Wodtly, as well as redshirt-freshman Albert Smith III, will also contribute.
Perhaps the most feared part of the defensive line is the interior. Junior defensive tackle C.J. Fite landed a Big 12 Preseason All-Conference selection this offseason and is a dominant run-stuffer inside.
Additionally, senior Jacob Rich Kongaika had five tackles for loss last year and will be another solid piece alongside Fite. Both will be key to improving the pass rush. Fite believes the unit has only grown closer with time and expects a better result in 2025.
“We have a lot to work on still, but we made an emphasis on [pass rush],” Fite said. “What you make important will start to grow. Being used to the guys and having that chemistry with everybody, you know who’s rushing next to you. You learn more about each other and feel comfortable on the field. I think that plays a big role, but also the work we put in and the mindset we have with the pass rush.”
Seniors Jordan Crook and Keyshaun Elliott headline the linebacker unit for Arizona State. A pair of dependable tacklers, Crook missed three games, and Elliott’s numbers dipped in 2024. Still, they helped the Maroon and Gold form an imposing front seven. Senior Zyrus Fiaseu and sophomore Martell Hughes will also be part of the rotation when the defense shifts from a 4-2-5 look to a 4-3 defense.
Yet, the secondary is where Arizona State’s talent level truly rises above the rest of the conference.
The Sun Devils could argue that they have the top safety duo in the country in seniors Xavion Alford and Myles “Ghost” Rowser. Alford, another Big 12 Preseason All-Conference selection, had five pass breakups and two interceptions last season. He has the potential to be one of the best safeties in the country this fall. Rowser led the Sun Devils with 98 total tackles and four pass deflections.
Out wide, junior corners Keith Abney II and Javan Robinson have had stellar camps against star wideout Jordyn Tyson and the new-look receiver room in Tempe. They combined for six interceptions a year ago, and Abney could be a sleeper prospect for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft if he can maintain or improve his production this season.
Three new faces in the secondary come by way of the transfer portal. In addition to their returning talent, the Sun Devils snagged a pair of senior transfers from Purdue in Kyndrich Breedlove and Nyland Green, as well as sophomore safety Adrian “Boogie” Wilson from Washington State. Breedlove will get the first shot to replace Simmons at the nickel. He was a standout for the Boilermakers last season with 40 tackles and three picks in his lone campaign in West Lafayette.
The nickel position has been the tightest position battle on the defensive side of ASU camp. While Breedlove has held the upper hand, a name to watch on the back-end of the ASU defense is sophomore safety Montana Warren. After stepping in for Simmons to start the Peach Bowl, Warren has carried momentum into camp this offseason and pushed for a starting role.
“Montana’s a hell of a player,” Breedlove said. “I’ve learned a lot from him. I just try to come in with the same mindset to get better and do what I can to help my teammates. He’s a great player, though.”
Whether the first snap against Northern Arizona goes to Breedlove or Warren in the season opener remains to be seen, but Ward and the staff are very confident in their new pieces.
A tricky schedule against a conference loaded with premier quarterbacks and high-flying offenses will test the depth of the Sun Devils’ stoppers. Nonetheless, expect ASU to remain rock solid against the ground game again this season.
Three key questions will define the Sun Devils’ 2025 defensive campaign: Will the pass rush improve? Can they create more stops on third down? And, can the veteran secondary, along with its new additions, limit explosive plays through the air?
“It all works together,” Ward said, “Everybody doing their one-eleventh, and understanding why we do the certain things that we do is really critical.”
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