2025 College Football Big 12 Team Previews: Arizona State Sun Devils

Team: Arizona State
Mascot: Sun Devils
Student Population: 57,144
Established: 1885
Motto: God enriches
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Head Coach: Kenny Dillingham
Offensive Coordinator: Marcus Arroyo
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Ward
2024 Record: 11-3

Rankings

SP+: 22
FPI: 24
Kelly Ford: 23

Power Rankings

CBS Sports: 1

The Sun Devils narrowly hold onto the top spot after returning quarterback Sam Leavitt, receiver Jordyn Tyson and safety Xavion Alford. Arizona State was frankly ahead of schedule by reaching the CFP in 2024 and brings back a number of the chief catalysts from their shocking Big 12 title team. If Kanye Udoh can help fill a portion of Cameron Skattebo’s role, ASU could be back in the CFP again. (+600)

SB Nation: 2

How the Sun Devils follow up their magical 2024 is going to be one of the most fascinating things to watch this upcoming season. On the plus side, the offensive braintrust of head coach Kenny Dillingham and QB Sam Leavitt are back for another year together, one that could see Leavitt boost his draft stock. Leavitt is a bit of a curious case as a prospect, a dual threat who has a lot of tantalizing aspects but also plays QB like he drank seven Red Bulls before the game and they just kicked in. If he can cut down on some of the zoomies plays, he could see his stock skyrocket. Wide receivers Jordyn Tyson and Malik McClain coming back will certainly help, Tyson being healthy again could be the thing that pushes the Sun Devils to the top once again. How they’ll replace RB Cam Skattebo is the biggest question, but portaling in former Army RB Kanye Udoh should give them some punch in the RB room.

Defensively, they return 10 starters, the most in the conference by far. They finished sixth in the nation in turnover margin and picked off 16 passes last season, but I’m a little worried about turnovers not being as consistent year over year. They need to be better getting after the QB, improving on a 12.6% sack rate is going to be the top priority for the Sun Devils. DL Clayton Smith and Elijah O’Neil led the team in sacks last season, but if they can get above the 4.5 and 4 sacks they had respectively, it should help their secondary out a lot.

24/7 Sports: 1

Arizona State remains the team to beat in the Big 12 for 2025 until someone proves otherwise. The reigning conference champion brings back the vast majority of its major contributors from 2024, when the Sun Devils stunned en route to the College Football Playoff. The loss of stud running back Cam Skattebo is significant, but 16 returning starters provide plenty of continuity and experience for another run. Quarterback Sam Leavitt proved to be a top-tier quarterback in the nation with his poised, playmaking ability last season and should carry that momentum into 2025 as the centerpiece of Arizona State.

Transfer Class Rankings

24/7 Sports: National Rank 55 | Big 12 Rank 13 (17 players)
Rivals: National Rank 60 | Big 12 Rank 11 (15 players)

Miscellaneous

Bovada Win Totals: 8.5

Athlon Big 12 Predictions: 2

Arizona State was one of college football’s biggest surprises in 2024. Behind rising star coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils exceeded all expectations with a Big 12 title and nearly upset Texas in the College Football Playoff. But make no mistake: Last season was no fluke. Arizona State has plenty of staying power and will contend for a spot in the playoff and Big 12 title once again.

Running back Cam Skattebo will be missed, but the Sun Devils shouldn’t miss a beat on offense. That’s due to the return of quarterback Sam Leavitt after a breakout debut in Tempe, with receiver Jordyn Tyson among the best in college football. Replacing Skattebo’s production could be a committee effort, with Army transfer Kanye Udoh, Kyson Brown, and Raleek Brown all handling carries. Four starters are back to form one of the Big 12’s top offensive lines.

Although the offense garnered most of the attention for last year’s run, Arizona State’s defense also deserved its share of credit. Under coordinator Brian Ward, this unit held teams to 22.6 points a contest and 5.2 yards a play. With nine starters returning, the Sun Devils could have the Big 12’s top defenses in ‘25.