ASU went 11-3 in the Big 12 last season and showed every single team in their conference how it’s done. Kenny Dillingham, with his heroics, pulled off a season not seen since 1996 for the program. He also brought in an unproven QB in Sam Leavitt, who lit up those charts, particularly in the second half of the season. Moreover, who can forget ASU’s incredible showing against the Longhorns when they nearly pulled off an upset, right? So, with this momentum and a player touted to do big things, ASU just got a massive upgrade for their 2025 season.
Even before the 2024 season, many projected ASU to finish last in the Big 12 after Dillingham’s 3-9 2023 season. The change started with Sam Leavitt taking the responsibility behind the center and notching up those passes game after game. So, when the season ended, the QB ended up notching 2,855 passing and 443 rushing yards, taking a gigantic leap from his 2023 MSU season. But in executing these heroics, Leavitt got massive help.
Anthony Totri and Shane Dieffenbach, in their May 16th ‘PHNX Sports’ episode, were discussing the player who can become even more lethal after undergoing preseason with Leavitt. “Now you’re telling me we got an entire season to build upon at Arizona State, and week in week out in practice. We’re going up against what I think is the best defense in the Big 12. I mean, it’s scary hours for the rest of this conference when you see Tyson and Leavitt in 2025”.
Jordan Tyson was probably the best player in the offense after Cam Skattebo and received 1,110 yards just last season, scoring 10 touchdowns. Moreover, if you take into account his 2022 season with Colorado, Tyson had 470 yards, which takes his tally to 1,571 yards. Now that the player has had a full offseason to prepare, he will become the most lethal weapon in Kenny Dillingham’s offense and will bring his A game, combining with Leavitt. Shane Dieffenbach even pointed to a more optimistic scenario.
“There’s still room for them to improve. But actually going out there and playing games, you saw Sam Leavitt become more comfortable. You saw Sam Leavitt settle in more. It’s not a surprise that Jordan Tyson and Sam Leavitt both became more comfortable as games went on because they were playing together.” Moreover, last year Jordan Tyson was also sidelined in the postseason due to his injury, and this year the issues have resolved. Leavitt, with his heroics, has become the face of the Sun Devils and will be pivotal in leading. Add that to both players now getting the whole off-season to prepare? Well, Kenny Dillingham will have one less thing to worry about in 2025.
Kenny Dilingham sends a clear message to Sam Leavitt and co
Kenny Dillingham has started preparing aggressively for the 2025 season to keep that momentum going. The head coach has brought in 16 transfers, including players like Nyland Green (CB) from Purdue, Jaren Hamilton (WR) from Alabama, Noble Johnson (WR) from Clemson, and Wade Helton from Iowa State. So, amidst that momentum, Dillingham sent a message to his team.
“Our goal is not to win the Big 12 championship; it never was. To me, it’s just be the very best we can be.” He further says, “And, like I tell our guys, the better you end up being, the bigger the moments become, naturally.” The message relayed on the IG page @Tunein says more than one has to imagine about ASU in the 2025 season.
For now, the team ranked 9th in the preseason rankings of ESPN, but will have to face some tougher opponents in 2025. ASU will go against Baylor in their fourth week on the road and will then face TCU at home. Texas Tech will have problems for ASU and can even demand a change of strategy. Later games against Rich Rodriguez’s WVU and Deion Sanders’ Colorado on the road will define how the season goes for ASU. The schedule looks favorable, now, all eyes are on Dillingham’s boys to see if they can take the next step with the ongoing momentum.
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