10 newcomers who have impressed in Arizona State football spring drills

This has been perhaps the most entertaining set of spring football drills in Kenny Dillingham's tenure. Why? Because the team lost so many players to graduation, many spots are up for grabs. Nothing gets more interest than a quarterback battle, and there are more than two candidates in that race.

No doubt, most of the battles will continue well into fall camp as the two-deep takes shape.

Arizona State will open the 2026 season at home against Morgan State on Sept. 5.

For now, let's take a look at 10 players who jumped off the page with great first impressions.

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State quarterback Cameron Dyer (13) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State quarterback Cameron Dyer (13) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State quarterback Mikey Keene (12) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State quarterback Jake Fette (2) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State tight end Kristian Ingman (44) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State tight end James Giggey (87) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State running back David Avit (24) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State running back Kyson Brown (1) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu (30) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State linebackers coach A.J. Cooper talks to linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu (30) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State running back Kyson Brown (1) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State running back Jason Brown Jr. (22) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State running back Kyson Brown (1) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State linebacker Tristan Bacon (45) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State defensive lineman Jalen Thompson (9) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State tight end James Giggey (87) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

Arizona State punter Kanyon Floyd (31) and long snapper Tyler Wigglesworth (39) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

1 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

1 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

2 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Cameron Dyer (13) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

3 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Cameron Dyer (13) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

4 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Mikey Keene (12) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

5 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Jake Fette (2) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

6 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

7 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State quarterback Cutter Boley (8) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

8 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State tight end Kristian Ingman (44) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

9 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State tight end James Giggey (87) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

10 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State running back David Avit (24) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

11 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State running back Kyson Brown (1) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

12 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu (30) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

13 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State linebackers coach A.J. Cooper talks to linebacker Zyrus Fiaseu (30) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

14 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State running back Kyson Brown (1) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

15 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State running back Jason Brown Jr. (22) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

16 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

17 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State wide receiver Omarion Miller (4) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

18 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State running back Kyson Brown (1) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

19 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State linebacker Tristan Bacon (45) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

20 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State defensive lineman Jalen Thompson (9) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

21 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State tight end James Giggey (87) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

22 / 22

See photos from Arizona State football's 2026 spring activities

Arizona State punter Kanyon Floyd (31) and long snapper Tyler Wigglesworth (39) during practice on March 24, 2026, at Kajikawa Practice Fields in Tempe.

C Tana Alo-Tupulola Jr., (6-2, 325)

After Ben Coleman was injured in 2025, the offensive line became a work in progress. Center was a huge position of need, and the Sun Devils made it a priority in the offseason, getting Alo-Tupulola out of Georgia Tech. He played in 10 games and made his first four career starts in 2025, helping lead the Yellow Jackets to a spot in the ACC Championship game and bolstering an offense that finished 11th in the country in total yards per game (460).

QB Jake Fette (Fr., 6-1, 195)

We're not saying the true freshman will win the starting job, but his potential has been evident. Not only did he enroll early, but since he hails from El Paso, he was able to participate in practices when the Sun Devils were there to play in the Sun Bowl in December. That gave him a jump on the spring. He is the best athlete of the group, having also participated in track and basketball at Del Valle High School.

WR Reed Harris (Jr., 6-5, 217)

The wide receiving unit probably has more depth than any other. It was bolstered by three power-conference transfers. Harris caught a career-high 39 passes for 673 yards and five touchdowns last year at Boston College. His 17.26 yards per reception on the year were 30th in the FBS and third in the ACC. He has picked up where he left off there and looks the part of a lead wide receiver. His size also makes him a matchup nightmare for defending backs.

DL Julian Hugo (Fr., 6-4, 250)

You know you're off to a good start when, as a true freshman, the coach mentions you multiple times to the media. Hugo is a true freshman out of Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas. The offensive and defensive lines are spots where true freshmen typically don't see much playing time until they've completed a year in a strength and conditioning program. The defensive line is another spot hard hit by graduation, though, so don't be surprised if Hugo does indeed see some reps right out of the box.

Owen Long (#22 LB) runs a drill during ASU football practice at Kajikawa Practice fields in Tempe, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

LB Owen Long (Jr., 6-2, 230)

The transfer from Colorado State led the nation in tackles at 12.6 per game, and ASU was in the market for one or more newcomers at the sport with the graduation of both Jordan Crook and Keyshaun Elliott. Long looks like the perfect fit. He has had some clean but bone-jarring hits, one of those coming on 6-5 tight end Khamari Anderson. He had another on AJ Ia, with the hit causing the ball to squirt straight up in the air, where it was intercepted by Zyrus Fiaseu. In the April 11 scrimmage, he laid one on Anthony Miller, making it three solid hits on tight ends in as many practices.

RB Cardae Mack (Fr., 5-9, 210)

Mack, out of Atascosita High School in Houston, is another early enrollee who could still be in high school. But, he has looked like he belongs and could be on the two-deep despite all the talent in the running back room. He broke a 70-yard touchdown run, which was one of the highlights in the scrimmage portion of practice on April 11. He is small in stature but strong, with the ability to break tackles. He was a quarterback in high school, but he was also the school's all-time leading rusher, which is indicative of his talent.

S Jessiah McGrew (So., 6-2, 185)

The transfer from Florida International had multiple interceptions in the spring. He is a young veteran, having appeared in 12 games as a true freshman in 2025, totaling 68 tackles (52 solo, 16 assisted), four interceptions for 77 yards, and five pass breakups. He was the nation's 27th-highest graded safety in coverage (83.6), and his 19.4 forced incompletion percentage when targeted was 22nd among FBS safeties.

CB Ashton Stamps (Jr., 6-0, 190)

The Sun Devils are out both their starting cornerbacks, with Keith Abney declaring for the NFL draft and Javan Robinson entering the transfer portal. This was another position where they needed someone to step up. There are actually several candidates, with the team boasting eight corners, up from five of last season. So far, Stamps has set himself up for one of those starting spots. In three years at LSU, he appeared in 27 games with 17 career starts, tallying 75 tackles and 18 pass breakups.

Raiden Vines-Bright (#7 WR) catches a pass during ASU football practice at Kajikawa Practice fields in Tempe, Arizona, on March 19, 2026.

DE Jalen Thompson (Sr., 6-3, 260)

Thompson is a player defensive line coach Diron Reynolds knows well because he played under him at Michigan State three years ago. Those connections usually pay off. This was another position of need with ASU graduating most of the defensive linemen from its two-deep. Thompson is a veteran, having played in 31 games for the Spartans (eight in 2023, 12 in 2024, 11 in 2025).

WR Raiden Vines-Bright (So., 6-1, 200)

The transfer from Washington is another of the three big transfers in the room. He played in 12 of 13 games, starting seven for the Washington Huskies as a true freshman in 2025, and recorded 24 catches for 238 yards and a touchdown. He spent his senior year of high school at prestigious IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., but previously played at Corona del Sol.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 10 newcomers who have impressed in ASU football drills