Out with the old and in with the new. That motto defines the current state of Arizona State football and Coach Kenny Dillingham heading into their upcoming season. Between portal departures and the NFL draft, ASU lost over 25 players, including star quarterback junior Sam Leavitt and senior running back Raleek Brown to the portal.
Via the draft, the Sun Devils lost wide receiver Jordan Tyson, offensive lineman Max Iheanachor, cornerback Keith Abney II and safeties Xavion Alford and Myles Rowser. All the departures create opportunities for those still left on the roster, especially those who could see more playing time for a possible breakout season.
Martell Hughes
While Hughes has seen some action before, the junior has never averaged over 20 defensive snaps per game in a season.
His primary strength the prior two seasons has been special teams-related. With Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Crook — both in the NFL — commanding the majority of snaps for linebackers, Hughes’ production and uptick in snaps could’ve gone unnoticed by some fans.
Yet, Hughes’ defensive presence is evident in multiple areas. Hughes provides a ton of upside in open space. He will look to build upon what he did last season, where he had 39 tackles — 16 of which were solo — and two interceptions.
Hughes will need to take a step up to become an every-down player, as he looks to line up alongside junior Owen Long. With Crook and Elliott both gone, Hughes is in a prime spot to replace one of them in 2026.
AJ Ia
In a tight end room with limited depth and a starter who’s dealt with injuries, sophomore tight end AJ Ia could be poised for a breakout season. Ia’s in a prime position to take the tight end job out of camp. The 4-star tight end looks to replicate the production of now-Steelers tight end Chamon Metayer in Tempe.
In 12 games, Metayer set career highs in receptions (38) and yards (375). Reeling in four touchdowns throughout his senior campaign, Metayer provided security for Leavitt and backup quarterback Jeff Sims.
Ia’s athleticism helps him line up anywhere from on the line to in the slot. His big frame should help him transition into an all-around tight end role. He had one catch for 10 yards in his redshirt freshman campaign. However, in his final high school season, he caught seven touchdown passes.
The 6-foot-8 giant thrives at snagging contested balls and creating open space. In his final two high school seasons, he caught 71 passes for 839 yards and 11 touchdowns. He averaged just under 50 yards per game and 11.8 yards per reception. The projected Sun Devils’ tight end is Khamari Anderson, who transferred from Kentucky last season. With Anderson garnering a mere 11 passes for 64 yards throughout his college career, Ia could step in as the premier pass-catching tight end in Marcus Arroyo’s offense.
Rodney Bimage Jr.
Bimage Jr. — similarly to Hughes — contributed toward the back end of last season. Bimage played in seven games last season and is one of the most experienced corners at Arizona State in the Brian Ward system.
In his seven games played, he recorded a tackle in six of them. The junior defensive back shined against Baylor and TCU, recording a pass deflection in both games and helping on special teams. During his redshirt freshman season, Bimage recorded a 73.0 pass coverage grade and a 73.7 defensive grade — good for fourth on the Sun Devils, according to Pro Football Focus and 247Sports.
Bimage’s season came to a head early, after a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season in November. It marked back-to-back season-ending injuries. Now, with the loss of multiple cornerbacks, such as Javan Robinson — who entered the portal — and Keith Abney II, who went to the NFL, Bimage enters a prime position to slot alongside incoming transfer junior Ashton Stamps as the primary corners.
Jason Brown Jr.
Brown Jr.’s offensive prowess against Duke in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Game showcased why he could be poised for a breakout season. He carried the ball 13 times for 134 yards while catching two passes for 14 yards. The junior tailback possesses elite north-to-south running ability, utilizing his balance and vision to explode through the gap.
Make no mistake about it, Brown fights off initial contact. While he’s cut down from his 200-pound frame, Brown Jr. creates in open space and still blows off certain initial contact. Despite his minimal attempts the rest of the year — three carries all against Colorado — he averaged above 5.5 yards per carry. Following the emergence of Raleek Brown last season, there is no doubt that Jason Brown can follow a similar style.
Leave a Reply