Arizona State spring 2025 football practice reports

TEMPE, AZ (AZFamily) — What a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, questions surrounded the Sun Devil football program after enduring a 3-9 season.

This year, Arizona State is coming off an 11-win campaign in which they won the Big 12 Conference championship. With star quarterback Sam Leavitt among most of the team’s starters back, the expectations for head coach Kenny Dillingham in his third season are sky high.

For each practice, we’ll provide notable updates and observations, as well as interviews with key Sun Devil players and coaches. Watch for new Speak of the Devils episodes each Tuesday night during spring for in-depth recaps of the key developments.

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Practice 2: March 27

Kenny Dillingham’s musical mental campaign continued. Like Tuesday’s practice, Queen’s “We Are The Champions” was played on repeat throughout practice, as Dillingham aims to ensure his players don’t rest on their laurels. Thursday’s session was conducted in helmets, jerseys, and shorts.

• Dillingham announced that Saturday’s practice will be open to the public, starting at 6 p.m. at the Kajikawa Practice Fields. He mentioned that, beyond the fan engagement, he sees it as a chance to further motivate the players with hundreds in attendance. ASU is urging fans to park across Rural from the practice fields, near the tennis courts and Desert Financial Arena, as construction has closed the parking lot entrance.
• We got our first look at new kicker Jesus Gomez. The All-MAC transfer from Eastern Michigan showed off his strong left leg, nailing a kick form about 47 yards with plenty of room to spare. With ASU’s kicking issues in 2024, Gomez will be looked at to play a key role. Learn more about Gomez’s journey here.
• It was a big day for some new pass catchers. Alabama transfer Jaren Hamilton had a few notable plays on the, including a deep scoring grab from Jeff Sims in the 11-on-11 period and another in the redzone 11-on-11. He also showed off a good move during the main event to spring for a score.

• The play of the day belonged to true freshman tight end A.J. Ia, who burned his defender on a long scoring pass after which his momentum had him run over a student photographer. She was OK. Ia cuts an impressive physical figure at 6′6″, 240 pounds, and Dillingham thinks he could be in line to contribute early.

• The defensive backs continue to look good. Newcomer Nyland Green had multiple pass breakups and Keith Abney looks strong entering his second season as a starter. Green, along with fellow Purdue transfer Kyndrich Breedlove (at nickel), could push for significant roles in the secondary. Rodney Bimage continued his impressive start to spring, earning first-team reps and making a nice interception while falling down.

• Wide receivers Jordyn Tyson and Jalen Moss, and running backs Raleek Brown and Demarius Robinson saw time at punt returner.
• Sophomore punter Kanyon Floyd had a strong day with his kicks.
• Leif Fautanu, ASU’s starting center the last two seasons, was in attendance.
• The offensive starters today: QB: Sam Leavitt, RB: Raleek Brown, WR Jordyn Tyson, Malik McClain, Derek Eusebio (slot), TE: Chamon Metayer, LT: Josh Atkins, LG: Sean Na’a, C: Ben Coleman, RG: Kyle Scott, RT: Jalen Klemm (returning RT starter Max Iheanachor is out for spring).
• The defensive starters today: DT: C.J. Fite, Zac Swanson, DE: Clayton Smith, Prince Dorbah, LB: Keyshaun Elliott, Jordan Crook, CB: Keith Abney, Rodney Bimage, S: Xavion Alford, Myles Rowser, Nickel: Montana Warren.

Practice 1: March 25

The mind games of Kenny Dillingham were evident right off the bat for spring’s first practice. Queen’s “We are the Champions” blasted through the speakers at the Kajikawa Practice Fields as the team took the field...and didn’t stop. The song played dozens of times over the course of the two-hour practice, and like all things with Dillingham, it was with intent. He wants his team fully focused on the task ahead this season, not resting on their laurels.

“I want it to become monotonous, like who gives a crap?” Dillingham said of the playlist choice. “We’re trying to make last year irrelevant because nobody cares anymore.”

Per regulations, the first few practices of spring are held with the players in helmets, jerseys, and shorts, so the first day featured limited contact and no hitting. As is typical for early camp sessions, the defense had the edge overall.

• After the team stretch and some light position drills, the team went into an 11-on-11 team tempo session. Kyson Brown got the first reps at running back alongside star quarterback Sam Leavitt, with Malik McClain and newcomer Jalen Moss (slot) starting at wide receiver with returning star Jordyn Tyson. The offensive line had a new look, with last year’s starting left guard, Ben Coleman, taking over at center. Redshirt sophomore Sean Na’a saw the first reps at left guard, with returning starters Josh Atkins (left tackle) and Kyle Scott (right guard). With starting right tackle Max Iheanachor out for spring due to injury, Jalen Klemm got the nod there.
• The battle at wide receiver behind Tyson will be an important one to watch. McClain saw action last year, and Moss transferred to ASU after posting over 100 catches at Fresno State. Jaren Hamilton (Alabama) and Noble Johnson (Clemson) are newcomers from Power 5 programs, but it was one of four true freshman who had a few big plays today. Harry Hassmann, a 6-foot-2 Texan, had a standout rep in the team’s main event, then later caught a deep touchdown in 1-on-1s.

• Another key battle will be at running back, with Kyson Brown and Army transfer Kanye Udoh. We’ll get a better sense of the battle once the pads come on, but they figure to jockey for much of the work in replacing All-American Cam Skattebo. Raleek Brown, who medically redshirted last year, also saw time, including running with the first team during 7-on-7s.

• The starting defense was mostly unchanged from last year: DT - C.J. Fite, Zac Swanson, DE - Clayton Smith, Prince Dorbah, LB - Keyshaun Elliott, Jordan Crook, CB: Keith Abney, Rodney Bimage, S - Xavion Alford, Myles Rowser, Nickel - Montana Warren.
• The defensive backs had a strong day. Rodney Bimage had a great interception during the main event and followed it up with good reps in 1-on-1s. He’ll battle to be the team’s third cornerback behind Abney and Javan Robinson. First-team All-Big 12 safety Xavion Alford and newcomer Kyndrich Breedlove (Purdue) also had impressive reps.

• After an install period, the skill players went into a 7-on-7 session. Leavitt connected on a nice back-shoulder throw to Tyson before Jeff Sims connected with tight end Cameron Harpole for a big gain on a deep seam route. Freshman quarterback Michael “Butter” Tollefson threw a bad interception, and Myles Rowser later picked off Leavitt on what would have been a pick six. Leavitt would find Tyson for a touchdown when the session moved into the redzone.
• During the final 11-on-11 period, the defense held firm, with Abney registering an interception of Leavitt and Elijah O’Neal posting what would have been a strip sack.
• Tuesday was also the coaching debut of Trenton Bourguet. A six-year quarterback for the Devils, Bourguet is now an assistant running backs coach under Shaun Aguano.

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