After losing nine major contributors via the portal and the draft, Arizona State hit the reset button on its offense this offseason. ASU coach Kenny Dillingham shipped in coveted playmakers in the portal and brought in a strong incoming freshman class to replenish the talent lost and give the Sun Devil offense a fresh look heading into this fall.
Behind a new quarterback, rebuilt offensive line and possibly its deepest collection of skill position players in recent memory, ASU’s offense will aim to get back on track following an underwhelming 2025 campaign.
Boley earns the starting nod at quarterback
Following a two-season stint as the Sun Devils’ starter, junior quarterback Sam Leavitt left Tempe for LSU via the transfer portal, leaving Dillingham and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo in need of a new signal caller.
The Sun Devils’ quarterback battle played out throughout the offseason, as a room comprised of two transfer quarterbacks, alongside sophomore Cam Dyer and true freshman four-star Jake Fette, led to a competition that lasted through most of training camp.
The man who rose above the pack? Junior Cutter Boley, an SEC All-Freshman team quarterback at Kentucky last season.
Boley, the expected choice by pundits and fans, shone throughout spring camp. Dillingham mentioned his confidence in the Kentucky transfer, viewing him as the heir to Leavitt in Tempe.
“We felt like he had a great camp and did a good job taking care of the football,” Dillingham said. “We feel really good about that room and feel they all got better. We think Cutter is the best opportunity for us to go win football games. We feel like he deserves it, and he won it.”
Dillingham’s ties to Boley date back to 2022, when, as Oregon’s offensive coordinator, he recruited and offered him a scholarship to play in Eugene. Instead, the Hodgenville, Kentucky-native stayed home, attending the University of Kentucky for two years.
As the Wildcats’ starter in 10 games last season, Boley produced mixed results, tossing for 2,160 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also conceding 12 interceptions. However, a deeper examination of his situation reveals that a lackluster supporting cast made it difficult for a first-time starter to get acclimated, especially in SEC play.
The Wildcats’ offensive line surrendered over two sacks per game on average. Meanwhile, the rest of Kentucky’s offense didn’t produce much better. The Wildcats didn’t rank top-75 nationally in any offensive category. It ranked outside the top-100 in total offense, averaging just over 340 yards per game.
A quarterback can only be as good as the team surrounding him, and the Sun Devils scoured the transfer portal for top-end talent to bolster their offense, especially in the passing game. Surrounded by seemingly improved circumstances at his second stop, the now-21-year-old quarterback has the chance to show that he can pair his talented physical traits with the wisdom he gained through growing pains early in his career.
Talented pass catchers
ASU wide receivers coach Hines Ward faced a tough challenge in replacing star wide receiver Jordan Tyson. While replicating Tyson will be difficult, the Sun Devils have formed perhaps their deepest group of wideouts under Dillingham, anchored by three Power Four transfers.
At first glance, senior Reed Harris looks like someone who could line up at tight end rather than a wide receiver. Jump-ball and over-the-shoulder catches became a regular sight at ASU practice, as the 6-foot-5 wideout lines up as a natural deep-ball threat.
Harris extends plays and stretches the defense — evident by his over 20 yards per reception in his collegiate career thus far. His playmaking in the open field and at height allows him to win 50/50 balls and aerial balls. 247Sports’ No. 2 wide receiver in the portal, Harris provides Ward with a different type of explosive weapon.
Yet, the man who has drawn the most comparisons to the aforementioned Tyson is a player who transferred to ASU from the same starting school as Tyson: senior Omarion Miller.
Similar to Tyson, the former Colorado receiver showcases elite route-running ability and lines up all over the field inside and out. Miller shone in a bigger role last season with Colorado, compiling over 800 yards and eight touchdowns. His 18 yards per catch ranked top-20 in college football.
“They want it,” Ward said about Harris and Miller. “The way they go about every day, both of those guys are true pros. They love to come in to work. They were one of the first guys in the building this morning. As a coach, I think your dream is to be able to coach guys that want it just as much as you want it for them. They’re going to make some plays for us.”
Booth Miller and Harris offer deep-threat, downfield playmaking that Ward excelled in during his playing days. To compete for the starting role in the slot, Ward and Co. brought in Tempe native and sophomore Raiden Vines-Bright. He brings a track background and could feature as another deep-threat playmaker.
These three portal acquisitions are joined by returners like seniors Jaren Hamilton and Derek Eusebio and fifth-year Jalen Moss, who will contend for snaps, especially in the slot.
It’s the first time in the Dillingham era that two top-15 portal additions — both top five among portal wide receivers, according to 247Sports — and three wide receivers who played throughout the season at Power Four schools have been brought in together. Still, the run game, a staple of the ASU offense, will be reliant on a multitude of guys.
Retooled run game
Shaun Aguano continues to find diamonds in the rough. Like any piece of art, the craft takes time, but what unfolds between the two white sidelines is ASU’s most consistent group year over year. Since assuming the role in 2019, Aguano’s tutelage has helped Eno Benjamin, Xazavian Valladay, Rachaad White, Cam Skattebo and others shine in Tempe. Under his watch, the Sun Devils have had a running back reach the 1,000-rushing-yard benchmark five times in just seven seasons, with Aguano serving as the running backs coach.
This season, Aguano has multiple options to choose from, many of which are newcomers. Via the portal, the Sun Devils added two FCS running backs, sixth-year tailback Marquis Gillis, formerly of Delaware State and junior David Avit from Villanova. The Sun Devils’ former FCS great, Skattebo, led the Sun Devils to the College Football Playoffs in 2024.
At just 18 years old, true freshman Cardae Mack has turned heads in fall camp and is expected to be a contributor in just his first season with ASU.
Senior Kyson Brown returns alongside sophomore Demarius “Bam Bam” Robinson and junior Jason Brown Jr. — who both shined against the Blue Devils in the Tony the Tiger Bowl. Both of whom look to increase their respective playing time this season.
Kyson Brown, the seemingly apparent heir to Skattebo, couldn’t stay healthy, ultimately leading to the emergence of now-Longhorn running back and rising senior Raleek Brown.
With a loaded running back room that features multiple different styles, Aguano could rely on a plethora of running backs instead of one as in years past. Yet, the goal for Aguano stays the same: getting the job done.
“It’s whatever it takes for the team to win,” Aguano said. “That’s why I like this group so much, because there is not a selfish player.”
Dillingham gets more involved with offense
In Year 4, Dillingham believes he’s in a place where he can delegate more responsibility to other coaches, thus freeing up ASU’s head man to get more involved with his calling card: offensive game planning.
Dillingham stated that he has more time to sit in on meetings and work in partnership with Arroyo to get the Sun Devils’ offense back to form in 2026.
He and Arroyo, a former finalist for the Broyles Award, which is awarded to college football’s top assistant coach, share similar philosophies offensively. It emphasizes opening space for skill position players to create yards after the catch.
During his final season with the Ducks, Dillingham navigated the No. 2 offense in yards per game — eighth-best scoring offense averaging just under 40 points per game. That season, Dillingham also relied on an SEC transfer quarterback, Bo Nix.
Given this mindset, a plethora of playmakers is exactly what the Sun Devils need. Utilizing a deep group of wide receivers and running backs, Arizona State will aim to spread teams out and create explosive plays without having to constantly push the ball downfield.
When helping with playcalling duties for ASU against Duke in the Tony the Tiger Bowl — he unleashed his capabilities.
While 37 carries — 30 of which were taken by its running backs — is a lot, the 375 air yards set a career high in that category during the Dillingham era at ASU, showcasing a much-wanted aerial attack. Former quarterback Jeff Sims’ 71.7 completion percentage, 85.2% QBR, 9.9 yards per attempt and 13.89 yards per completion were all season highs — ahead of Leavitt.
Yet, Dillingham isn’t shunning Arroyo. Dillingham freed up time to join meetings, help with more hands-on drills, collaborate and work with Arroyo on the offense’s philosophy, but he still maintains that his OC will lead the Sun Devils’ offense this fall.
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