Of the 100+ players on Arizona State’s 2026 roster, few know Tempe and the Valley as well as sophomore wide receiver Raiden Vines-Bright.
He grew up in the same city as Mountain America Stadium. He went to school less than eight miles down Rural Road from Kajikawa Practice Field. He was even a track and field prodigy at Corona del Sol High School, finishing 10th in the state in the 100 meters.
Yet despite playing division one football in his freshman season with Washington, Vines-Bright decided to return to his hometown to play under coach Kenny Dillingham and ASU, looking to be a key part of the Sun Devils’ offense.
“I’m so excited to play in the stadium, to see all my childhood friends in the stands,” Vines-Bright said.
The sophomore logged 238 receiving yards and one touchdown in his 12 appearances for the Huskies during the 2025 campaign. The decision to return to the Valley means a chance to work with two-time Super Bowl champion and wide receiver coach Hines Ward.
“Being coached by Ward and Kenny, just a family setting of being with the team,” Vines-Bright said about what went into his decision. “There were a lot of things.
“I’ve elevated my game tremendously and just gotten way better as an individual.”
Returning to his hometown also offers a unique experience that many players may not experience. Dillingham, who himself returned to the Valley when he took the ASU job in 2022, knows the feeling.
“He got to experience other things and he said, ‘You know what, I wanna be back home,’ Dillingham said. “He’s a heck of a player and he’s a guy who we feel could win a championship with.
“You can’t just come back. If you choose not to come here it’s not like you could just come back,” Dillingham said on the receiver. “We’re only taking guys who we feel like are difference makers for us … It’s a win-win for everybody.”
With its season opener against Morgan State looming, ASU’s wide receivers will look to continue building chemistry with recently named starter, junior Cutter Boley.
But despite the lack of in-game experience with his new quarterback, Vines-Bright isn’t worried about his connection with QB1. In many ways, he sees an opportunity.
“It helps me as an individual, learning to catch after different people,” he said. “When you go to the league, you have a whole different person. Having different quarterback styles helps a lot as an individual.”
The Maroon and Gold continue to prepare for a tough schedule in 2026. After hosting Morgan State, Dillingham’s squad travels to Kyle Field to face Texas A&M, then crosses the pond to play Kansas in London.
Lots of eyes will be on the Sun Devils this year. For Vines-Bright and the receiving group, they feel ready to impress.
“I think we can be the best in the nation.”
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