TEMPE - Kenny Dillingham's first signing class as the Head Coach of Sun Devil Football was a historical one, as the program welcomes a record-breaking 43 additions.
Despite only being on the job for two months, Coach Dillingham and the entire Sun Devil Footabll staff worked tirelessly to re-construct the roster. As a result, Arizona State earned the signatures of 43 student-athletes, currently tied for the most of any Division I program. 25 members of the class enrolled in January and have been able to participate in offseason team activities.The following is a breakdown of the 2023 Arizona State Football Signing Class.
MOST RECRUITING ADDITIONS (Combining Transfers, JUCOs, and Freshmen)
Arizona State, 43
Colorado, 43
Nebraska, 40
Oregon, 39
Oklahoma, 38
CLASS BREAKDOWN
The 2023 Sun Devil Football 43-man signing class includes...
Arizona State arguably took advantage of the transfer portal as well as any program in the nation, signing a total of 25, the most by any Division I team. With several of those transfers still to be evaluated by the site, ASU currently has the 10th ranked transfer class nationally according to 247 Sports. 8 of those transfers were four-start prospects coming out of high school. Nevada transfer Aaron Frost is the highest-ranked transfer according to 247 Sports, garnering a four-star rating.
FILLING THE NEEDS
The Sun Devils used this signing class to fill needs at several positions, replenishing all aspects of the roster. Here is a closer look at the positions of the Class of 2023 signees...
Head Coach Kenny Dillingham put an emphasis on bringing some of the recent top talent in the state back home. Arizona State's roster now boasts 8 student-athletes that were Top-30 prospects in Arizona over the past three signing classes (according to 247 Sports). A few standouts include OL Bram Walden (No. 1 player in AZ; 2021 class), DL Tristan Monday (No. 8 player in AZ; 2022 class), and LB Krew Jackson (No. 17 player in AZ; 2021 class).
RECRUITING FOOTPRINT
Arizona State was able to land prospects from all over the country, solidifying several lucrative recruiting pipelines. Members of the signing class hail from 11 different states, including the talent-rich areas of Texas, California, and most importantly Arizona.
Consensus four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada was crown jewel in the first signing class for Kenny Dillingham and his coaching staff. Rashada is the highest-ranked quarterback to sign with the Sun Devils since 2019 and is the 11th-best overall recruit to sign with the Sun Devils since in the internet recruiting services era (2000) according to 247 Sports. 247 Sports tabbed him as the No. 44 overall prospect in the nation, making him the seventh-highest rated overall prospect to sign with a Pac-12 program. He is also slotted as the No. 6 quarterback prospect in the class and No. 4 overall player in the state by the same publication. By occupying the No. 31 spot in the ESPN 300, Rashada represents the third-highest ranked player to sign with the Sun Devils since ESPN started their service in 2006 (Vontaze Burfict, N'Keal Harry). He is On3 Sports' No. 6 quarterback prospect nationally and No. 6 overall prospect in California. Rivals ranked him as the No. 10 quarterback prospect in the nation. The accolades aren't limited to his recruiting rankings, as he also secured a spot in the Elite 11, emerging as one of the nation's top signal callers regardless of class. He was a member of team speed Under Armour All-American Game, which aired nationally on ESPN back in January. Jaden is also the son of former Sun Devil Football defensive back Harlen Rashada (1992-94).
Keith Abney
Freshman – Defensive Back
6-0 | 183 | Duncanville, TX (Waxahachie)
TW: @keithabneyjr /// IG: @ ke1th__
Two-way standout for Waxahachie High School that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas …Finished with over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 20 tackles during a productive 25-game varsity career…Hauled in 19 catches for 396 yards and six touchdowns as a senior…Also added two interceptions, one fumble recovery, eight tackles, and a pass deflection on defense…Served as a punt and kick returner…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services… Rivals gave him a rating of 5.6…247 Sports Composite ranked him as the No. 107 athlete prospect in the nation and No. 207 overall prospect in the state of Texas… On3 Consenus slotted him as the No. 56 athlete prospect in the class…No. 120-ranked athlete in the nation according to ESPN…2021 Texas District 11-6A first-team selection as a junior.
Xavion Alford
Redshirt Junior - Defensive Back
6-0 | 190 | Pearland, TX (Shadow Creek/Texas/USC)
TW: @100YARDLANDLORD /// IG: @100yardlandlord
Missed the 2022 season to injuries...Transferred to USC from Texas in the spring of 2021 and saw significant playing time at strong safety and on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2021… Overall in 2021 while appearing in 11 games (all but California) and starting twice (UCLA and BYU), he made 31 tackles, a team-best 3 interceptions and 3 deflections and earned USC's 2021 Co-Defensive Perimeter Player of the Year Award...Appeared in 4 games (UTEP, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas State) as a first-year freshman reserve safety at Texas in 2020, recording 4 tackles...An All-America and all-state honoree…selected to participate in the 2020 All-American Bowl…injured in the first game of 2019 and missed the remainder of his senior season...Selected for the Class Act award by a local television station...Ranked No. 137 nationally overall, No. 9 at safety and No. 14 overall in Texas by Rivals … No. 145 nationally, No. 9 at safety, and No. 21 overall in Texas according to 247Sports … rated No. 202 on the ESPN300, No. 9 at safety and No. 32 overall in Texas by ESPN … listed at No. 19 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … ranked No. 5 in the Houston Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle...Named first-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … named to the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2019 UIL High School Preseason Team … earned first-team 5A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association and honorable mention from the Associated Press in 2018 … tabbed first-team All-District 10-5A Division 1...played in all 16 games as a junior, recording 70 tackles (58 solo), six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and 21 passes defended as a junior … also returned two kickoffs … part of a defense that allowed just 16.1 points per game, including two shutouts … posted at least four tackles in 10 games and at least six tackles five times … returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown against Texas City...Helped Shadow Creek to a 15-1 overall record, a 7-0 district mark and title, and an appearance in the 5A Division 1 state title game in 2018 – the same season Shadow Creek debuted a varsity football squad...Also played basketball in high school
Sam Benjamin
Redshirt Freshman – Defensive Line
6-5 | 255 | Oro Valley, AZ (Ironwood Ridge/Idaho State)
TW: @SamuelB2022 /// IG: @sambenjamin.17
Reserve lineman at Idaho State that played as a true freshman in 2022...Collected 14 tackles over eight games for the Bengals, including two tackles for loss and half a sack and adding three batted passes...An Arizona native that played his prep ball at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley...Collected 53 tackles as a senior in 2021 with 12 tackles for loss as a defensive lineman while also playing offensive line for the Nighthawks...He was named a First Team offensive and defensive lineman by the 5A Sonoran Division coaches Ironwood Ridge went 4-1 in the division in 2021 and advanced to the state 5A playoffs.
Kaleb Black
Freshman – Wide Receiver
5-9 | 165 | Spring, TX (Klein Oak)
TW: @Jae7Kaleb /// IG: @Kaleb_.___
Lightning quick wide receiver prospect part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas …Extremely productive varsity career…Finished with 124 receptions for 1,905 yards and 17 touchdowns in 29 games…Accumulated over 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 19 total touchdowns in his career… Served as a punt and kick returner…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5…247 Sports Composite rankings lists him just outside the Top-250 in their Texas prospect rankings and No. 228 wide receiver prospect in the nation…ESPN tabbed him as the No. 140 wide receiver prospect nationally and just outside the Top-175 as an overall prospect in Texas…Ranked as the No. 33 wide receiver in Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football website…Just missed a nod as a Top-250 wide receiver prospect in the class according to On3 Sports (No. 251)…Selected as the District 15-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore.
Keontez Bradley
Freshman - Defensive Back
6-1 | 172 | Mansfield, OH (Mansfield Senior)
TW: @bradley_keontez /// IG: @keontez19
One of the nation's fastest-rising defensive back prospects…All-around athlete who left his mark on Mansfield High School in several sports…Takes advantage of his size and length on both sides of the ball, becoming a dominant two-way player…Also ran track in High School, qualifying for the Division I state 400-meter championship as a junior…Competes in hurdle events and is a member of the relay team…Finished his 27-game varsity career with 89 total tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, 20 pass deflections and a fumble recovery…Compiled nearly 900 all-purpose yards despite spending a majority of his time as a defender…Saved his best season for last, emerging as one of the state's top defensive backs…Collected 53 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and ten pass deflections as a senior…Added a pair of blocked field goals to his incredible final campaign…Saw action on offense as a wide receiver, catching 18 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns…Scored via reception, interception return, and punt return during the 2022 season…Made 24 tackles and picked off three passes in only eight games during a breakout junior season…247 Sports tabbed him as the No. 68 cornerback prospect in the country and No. 20 overall prospect in Ohio…0n3 rates him as the No. 41 cornerback prospect in the nation and No. 14 overall prospect in Ohio...Received a 5.4 rating from Rivals...Listed by ESPN as the No. 66 safety prospect nationally and a Top-25 overall prospect in Ohio.
DeCarlos Brooks
Redshirt Senior - Running Back
5-10 | 210 | Chandler, AZ (Chandler/Cal)
TW: @dlosbrooks /// IG: @dlosbeast
Played in all 12 games at Cal this past season, collecting 59 rushes for 250 yards and a touchdown...Rushed for 346 yards over the last two seasons off the bench for the Golden Bears...A consensus three-star prospect out of high school by all recruiting outlets, rated as the No. 38 running back nationally by Rivals and a Top-100 athlete in the country by 247Composite and ESPN…Tabbed as the No. 11 overall prospect in the state of Arizona and No. 16 prospect by 247Sports Composite rankings...Local product that combined for 3,863 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns in three prep campaigns while adding 34 catches for 454 yards and another four scores to total 4,317 all-purpose yards and 55 total touchdowns for a Chandler High School program that won three state and 6A Premier Football League crowns, as well as a pair of Geico Bowl Series games while combining for a 39-4 overall record and ending each campaign as Arizona's top-ranked team according to MaxPreps...Had a huge 2018 senior season when he was named Arizona's Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-State and his team's MVP while also serving as a team captain after rushing for 2,229 yards and 34 touchdowns while adding another 25 catches for 366 yards and three scores to total 2,595 all-purpose yards and 37 touchdowns for a 13-1 squad that finished ranked No. 20 nationally according to MaxPreps and No. 15 in the media outlet's Xcellent 25 rank....Rushed for 1,352 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding eight receptions for 80 yards and one score to total 1,432 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns as a 2017 junior for a squad that finished ranked No. 26 nationally according to MaxPreps and was also No. 11 in the media outlet's Xcellent 25 rank...Contributed 282 yards rushing and made one catch for eight yards as a 2016 sophomore while also playing defense and contributing 42 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, one interception, eight passes deflected and one forced fumble for a 13-2 squad that finished ranked No. 12 nationally according to MaxPreps and was also No. 17 in the media outlet's Xcellent 25 rank.
Travion Brown
Graduate - Linebacker
6-3 | 230 | Moreno Valley, CA (Linfield Christian/Washington State)
TW: @tre_brown82 /// IG: @t.brown82
Recorded a career high 49 tackles in 2022 for Washington State, including 5.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks and appeared in 11 games... Among Pac-12 linebackers with at least 400 snaps played in 2022, Brown was the seventh-highest graded overall on defense... Credited with just three missed tackles in 2022, the fewest of any Pac-12 linebacker with at least 400 snaps played and tied for the fourth-fewest of any linebacker in the FBS...His redshirt sophomore season in 2021 saw him appear in 12 games, two as a starter… totaled 36 tackles with a forced fumble, fumble recovered and his first career interception…made five tackles and one interception in the Sun Bowl...During his freshman season in 2019, Brown was named to All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team as a special teams player…appeared in 13 games, started final five games at nickel…recorded 28 tackles with two for loss…tied for second on team with four special teams tackles, all on kickoff…in just 169 snaps played, produced 4th-best LB grade among all Pac-12 linebackers...Rated a four-star prospect by 247sports.com and three stars by ESPN.com and Rivals.com out of high school…rated No. 20 outside linebacker in the country and No. 57 overall prospect in California by 247sports.com...As a senior, named Ambassador League Defensive Player of the Year and to First Team as a wide receiver and linebacker…as a linebacker, made 122 tackles with 37 for loss including 11 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal…as a receiver, caught 45 passes for 1,142 yards and 22 touchdowns…caught two touchdowns in CIF Division 12 Championship game…caught seven passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in CIF 5A Regional Title game…As a junior, named to All-Ambassador League First Team as a wide receiver and Second Team on defense after making 95 tackles with 18 for loss including 5.5 sacks…as a receiver, caught 47 passes for 728 yards and nine touchdowns...As a sophomore, named to All-Ambassador League Second Team during his sophomore season after making 32 tackles, including seven for loss with 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery, caught five touchdown passes.
Josh Carlson
Graduate - Punter
6-0 | 185 | Gilbert, AZ (Gilbert/Utah Tech/New Mexico State)
TW: @_joshcarlson_ /// IG: @_joshcarlson_
Named a 2018 AFCA Division II First Team All-American at Dixie State in 2018 and to Phil Steele's Preseason All-Independent Second Team in 2022...Saw only 23.5 percent of his punts returned in 2022, the 27th-lowest tally among 97 FBS punters with at least 40 punts…The 29 yards on punt returns against Carlson were the seventh-fewest in the FBS among punters with at least 40 punts and the 2.4 yards per punt return average were the fourth-fewest in the FBS...Induced 30 fair catch balls, the sixth-highest tally in the FBS (min. 40 punts) while his average hang time of 3.93 was 23rd in the nation...Saw time in all 12 games throughout the 2021 season, where he punted 70 times for an average of 41.1 yards…Had a career-long punt of 67 yards on the road against San Diego State… Pinned 16 punts inside of the 20-yard line…Boomed nine punts that went 50 or more yards…Did not have a punt blocked all season...Averaged 44.7 yards per punt during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season...During his true freshman season at Utah Tech, he averaged 45.7 yards per punt on 53 punts with 17 of 50 or more yards...Earned second-team All-Region honors as a senior at Gilbert High School.
Ben Coleman
Graduate - Offensive Line
6-4 | 323 | Temecula, CA (Linfield Christian/Cal)
TW: @benjiicoleman /// IG: @benjiicoleman
Played in 25 games at Cal with 22 starts (16 at left guard and nine at left tackle)...Started 11 of 12 games as a redshirt junior in 2022, including each of the first 10 and the season finale against UCLA with his first six starts at left tackle and his final five at left guard… Earned Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week for helping Cal's offense score seven touchdowns that were its most since also picking up seven against Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, while its 49 points scored were the most since a 49-7 victory at Oregon State on Oct. 20, 2018, its' 354 yards the most since rushing for a school-record 411 against Washington on Dec. 6, 2008, and its 599 yards of total offense the most since picking up 636 at Stanford on Nov. 20, 2021 ... helped Pac-12 Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week Jaydn Ott rush for 274 yards and three touchdowns with the 274 yards rushing the third-most in an FBS game through Week 8 of the 2022 season, the most by an FBS freshman since Maryland redshirt freshman Anthony McFarland had 298 against Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2018, and the most by an FBS true freshman since Texas' Chris Warren III had 276 against Texas Tech on Nov. 26, 2015
As a redshirt sophomore in 2021, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches as well as Cal's Bob Tessier Award for the team's Most Improved Lineman on the offensive side of the ball where he started 11 of 12 possible games all at left guard… Became the first Cal player to win Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honors since its' inception in 2019 for his performance in Cal's 41-11 win over Stanford in the 124th Big Game...Helped Cal roll up over 500 total yards of offense three times in 2021 (Big Game record 636 at Stanford, 534 vs. Sacramento State, 517 vs. Oregon State) and more than 200 yards rushing on four occasions (352 at Stanford, 255 vs. Oregon State, 246 vs. Sacramento State, 213 vs. Colorado)…Key member of an offense that broke a school record for least turnovers committed in a full season (10)...A consensus three-star prep prospect by all recruiting services where he was a classmate of fellow Sun Devil signee Travion Brown at Linfield Christian, where he was a two-way player on both the offensive and defensive lines…Rated as a Top-35 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports and a Top-80 overall player out of California by all major recruiting outlets while showing his versatility by also being a Top-60 defensive tackle prospect nationally by ESPN...Combined for 115 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, five passes deflected and one forced fumble over 15 games as a 2016 sophomore and 2017 junior...Missed his 2018 senior campaign due to injury when his squad posted a 13-2 overall record and won the Southern Section Division 12 title before falling in the SoCal Regional finals...Had a huge junior season with 79 tackles, 25.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, two passes deflected and one forced fumble that earned him several honors including USA Today and Cal-Hi All-State selections, All-Area recognition, and a first-team All-Ambassador League pick on both sides of the ball...Also an All-Area and first-team All-Ambassador selection on both sides of the ball as a sophomore when he contributed 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks (-10 yards), five quarterback hurries and three passes deflected for a squad that reached the first round of the Southern Section Division 7 playoffs...Served as a team captain during each of his last three seasons...His father, Ben, played in 135 NFL games with 104 starts during nine seasons in the league with Arizona, Jacksonville, San Diego and Washington after being drafted in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft with the No. 32 overall selection by the Arizona Cardinals.
Jacob Conover
Redshirt Sophomore - Quarterback
6-0 | 213 | Chandler, AZ (Chandler/BYU)
TW: @jacobconover17 /// IG: @jacob.conover
Appeared sparingly for BYU over the last three seasons after serving his LDS mission in Asuncion, Paraguay...In 2021, came in for an injured Baylor Romney and helped the Cougars to a 34-20 win at Utah State in first action of his collegiate career and went 5-of-9 for 45 yards passing...A consensus four-star prospect by all major recruiting services and an ESPN top 300 recruit and participated in the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition…Rated as the No. 10 Pro-Style quarterback in the country by 247Sports and No. 18 by Rivals...Led Chandler High School to three consecutive state 6A titles – becoming the first-ever Arizona prep quarterback to do so in the state's top conference - throwing for more than 10,000 yards in high school with 102 touchdowns...Averaged 259 passing yards per game as a varsity player, throwing for more than 3,000 yards in each of his three seasons and adding 560 rushing yards in career with eight scores on the ground...As a senior in 2018, went 223-for-327 and 3,306 yards and 38 touchdowns and led his Chandler squad to a 65-28 rout over Perry in the State 6A title game...Tossed 32 touchdowns to just two interceptions as a junior in 2017, averaging 307.7 pass yards per game over 10 games...Had a career-high 3,715 passing yards as a sophomore in 2016, throwing for 32 touchdowns to five interceptions and completing 69.8 percent of his passes...Competed in the sprints on the track team at Chandler HS.
Josiah Cox
Freshman - Defensive Back
6-2 | 180 | San Diego, CA (Lincoln)
TW: @JosiahLCox /// IG: @jos1ahc
Versatile prospect who can projects to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield at the next level…A unique combination of physicality, length, and speed made him a sought-after prospect on the California prep scene… One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices…Helped lead Lincoln to a 13-1 record during his senior season and a victory over De La Salle in the 2022 Division 1-AA State Championship…Enjoyed a breakout senior season in which he made 40 tackles, intercepted three passes, collected four tackles for loss while also catching two touchdowns…Provided a presence on the Lincoln defense, putting together an extremely productive varsity career…Credited with 72 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, and eight pass deflections in 22 games…Returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns, finishing with four total touchdowns in his career (two receiving)…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5 and put him in their Top-100 prospects out of California…247 Sports ranks him as the No. 49 safety prospect in the country and No. 46 overall prospect in California…Listed by ESPN as the No. 75 safety prospect in the nation and a Top-100 overall prospect in the state…On3 consensus metric rates him as the No. 109 safety prospect in the class and a Top-100 overall prospect in California…2022 San Diego Tribune Defensive Player of the Year and All-CIF selection.
Prince Dorbah
Graduate - Punter
6-2 | 229 | Dallas, TX (Highland Park/Texas)
TW: @prince_dorbah /// IG: @princedorbah
Appeared as a reserve linebacker for Texas over the last three seasons, playing five games in 2022 and recording seven tackles with a TFL…Also a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (fall 2020, spring 2021)...A high school All-American, All-State and three-time All-District honoree who won two state championships with Highland Park and helped it to a 42-3 record over three seasons...Selected to participate in the 2020 All-American Bowl...A consensus four-star prospect that rated No. 190 on the ESPN300, No. 16 at outside linebacker and No. 30 overall in Texas by ESPN...No. 123 nationally, No. 10 at outside linebacker, and No. 18 overall in Texas according to 247Sports...Ranked No. 164 nationally, No. 12 at outside linebacker and No. 23 overall in Texas by Rivals...Listed at No. 17 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55...Ranked No. 6 in the SportsDay's Top 100 Recruits by the Dallas Morning News...Selected unanimous Defensive MVP and first-team All-District of district 6-5A Division 1 in 2019 as a senior…Part of a defense that allowed just 19.5 points per game, including a five-game stretch with three shutouts and two other games allowing just six points each…Helped Highland Park to an 11-2 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark and title, and an appearance in the 5A Division 1 regional playoffs in 2019...Named first-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football...Tabbed the Dallas area preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the Dallas Morning News...Chosen the 5A defensive player of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2018 as a junior…Earned second-team 5A All-State honors from the Associated Press…Tabbed first-team All-District 6-5A Division 1…Recorded 86 tackles, including 16 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a junior as part of a defense that allowed just 12.6 points per game, including seven games of seven points or fewer and four shutouts… recorded four sacks and six tackles and was named defensive MVP of the state title game against Shadow Creek to cap off a perfect 16-0 season...Named the District 15-5A defensive newcomer of the year in 2017 ... recorded 84 tackles, 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a sophomore…Helped Highland Park to a perfect 15-1 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark and title, and the 5A Division 1 state title in 2017...Originally from the Ivory Coast and came to the United States at age 3...also played basketball in high school.
Leif Fautanu
Redshirt Junior - Offensive Line
6-2 | 305 | Honolulu, HI (University Laboratory/UNLV)
TW: @FautanuLeif /// IG: @lj.fauntanu
Honorable mention All-Mountain West selection in 2022, anchoring an offensive line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher for the second consecutive season…Was the fifth-highest graded center in the MWC by PFF this season as a pass blocker and was not credited with a sack allowed on the season – one of just 21 FBS centers with at least 400 pass blocking snaps to lay such a claim and showing a marked improvement in the category after allowing six in 2021...A preseason 2022 Rimington Trophy and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year candidate … Named 2022 Preseason Second Team All-Mountain West by Athlon...Started all 12 games at center in 2021 and anchored a line that produced 1,261-yard rusher Charles Williams, who also had 15 rushing touchdowns … Earned the UNLV Football Offensive Captain Award, which is given to the team's overall captains selected at the end of the season … A member of the official watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award...Started four games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season after redshirting his true freshman 2019 campaign...A 2019 graduate of University Laboratory School…A three-year letterwinner...Also played at defensive tackle, was a long snapper and had served a stint as the team's punter…Selected to play in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl…Two-sport athlete who was also a four-year letterwinner on the Junior Bows' basketball team as a center...Comes from an athletic family: Uncle Ed Ripley played nose guard at the University of Hawai'i…Uncle Joe Onosai was a center for the Dallas Cowboys…Father, Leif, played on the U.S. Army men's volleyball team…Mother, Roselyn, was a member of the volleyball team at Hawaii.
C.J. Fite
Freshman - Defensive Line
6-1 | 282 | Tatum, TX (Tatum)
TW: @FiteCullen /// IG: @cullenjordan058
Disruptive interior force extremely adept at using his leverage to win at the point of attack…Also a member of the track & field team, competing in throwing events…Two-way player at Tatum High School, playing along the offensive line in addition to his defensive duties…Could not be contained during his varsity career… Part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…Combined to make 94 total tackles, an astounding 23 tackles for loss, and eight sacks over 21 games during his sophomore and junior seasons…Added an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and four hurries…One of the first commits of the class that reaffirmed his pledge to the new coaching staff… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5…Evaluated as the No. 141 defensive line prospect in the nation and No. 220 overall prospect in Texas by 247 Sports composite rankings…On3 consensus rankings list him as the No. 141 defensive line prospect in the class and No. 230 player in Texas…ESPN rated him as the No. 81 defensive tackle prospect in the country and just outside the Top-200 as an overall prospect in the state… 2021 Texas District 6-3A D-I Defensive MVP as a junior…2020 Texas District 6-3A D-I first-team selection as a sophomore… One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices.
Aaron Frost
Graduate - Offensive Line
6-5 | 306 | Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Poly/Nevada)
TW: @AaronFrost65 /// IG: @aaronfrosty57
Graduate transfer who was named an All-Mountain West Second Team second team selection in 2020 and 2021 before missing the 2022 campaign with a injury sustained in the preseason after being named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list...Appeared in all 13 games in 2021 and helped pave the way for the Nevada passing attack to post the sixth-best passing offense in the country... Nevada finished 8th in the nation in red zone offense (0.922) as well as the 17th ranked scoring offense in FBS (35.7 ppg)…Played the seventh-most pass protection snaps of any tackle in the country that season (642), allowing just four sacks…Posted the MWC's third-best score as a run blocker among tackles (84.7, min. 200 run blocking snaps) – good for 22nd among all FBS tackles...Saw action on the line in all nine games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season...Part of a group which held the line for a Pack offense that averaged 30.8 points per game, third in the Mountain West and 46th nationally…Provided ample protection for quarterback and Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Carson Strong…Rated as the sixth-best tackle in the MWC overall (73.8) and played more snaps (636) than any other tackle in the league and fourth of any player overall in the conference…Was the league's fourth-highest graded player regardless of position on run blocking for the season (82.3, min. 200 run blocking snaps) – and 32nd among all FBS tackles...Played and started in all 13 games in 2019 and played in seven games as a true freshman in 2018, contributing to an offensive line that ranked 14th in the FBS in the regular season, only allowing 1.17 sacks per game...Prepped at Long Beach Poly in California where he stood out along both the offensive and defensive lines and garnered a three-star rating from 247Sports as the latter after recording 27 tackles as a senior.
Xavier Guillory
Redshirt Junior - Wide Receiver
6-2 | 195 | Spokane, WA (Idaho State)
TW: @GuilloryXavier
Erupted as one of the top receivers in the FCS with 52 catches for 785 yards in 2022, adding four touchdown receptions, earning Big Sky All-Conference recognition in the process...His 78.5 receiving yards per game in 2022 were 29th among all FCS receivers where he was the 10th-highest graded receiver in the Big Sky Conference...His 34.6 target share percentage was second among Big Sky receivers and 23rd among all FCS receivers,,,His 361 yards after the catch were fourth in the Big Sky and his 116 yards after the contact in 2022 were sixth...Appeared in nine games in the Fall 2021 season, recording 20 receptions for 259 yards and one touchdown... Appeared in six games in the COVID-19 shorted Spring 2021 season with 18 receptions for 324 yards,,,Had 45 catches for 725 yards and 11 touchdowns and Lewis and Clark High School, adding made 50 tackles and had six interceptions… first-team all-league at wide receiver...A three-star prospect by 247 sports.
Korbin Hendrix
Freshman - Wide Receiver
6-3 | 180 | McKinney, TX (McKinney North)
TW: @hendrixkorbin /// IG: korbinleehendrix
Prolific pass catcher with a massive upside…Utilizes his frame well to make contested catches and create clean releases off the line of scrimmage…Willing blocker in the run game, with his game rounding out as he continues to add weight… Multi-sport standout that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…Played in one of the toughest regions in the entire nation…A member of the McKinney baseball and track team… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.6…Tabbed by 247 Sports as the No. 83 wide receiver prospect in the nation and No. 85 overall prospect in Texas…On3 Sports rated him as the No. 71 wide receiver prospect in the class and No. 93 overall prospect in the state… Slotted as the No. 62 wide receiver prospect in the country and No. 79 overall prospect in Texas by ESPN…Accounted for 22 catches, 452 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in the six games where stats were available on MaxPreps…2022 First Team 7-5A All-District selection. Prolific pass catcher with a massive upside…Utilizes his frame well to make contested catches and create clean releases off the line of scrimmage…Willing blocker in the run game, with his game rounding out as he continues to add weight… Multi-sport standout that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…Played in one of the toughest regions in the entire nation…A member of the McKinney baseball and track team… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.6…Tabbed by 247 Sports as the No. 79 wide receiver prospect in the nation and No. 81 overall prospect in Texas…On3 Sports rated him as the No. 55 wide receiver prospect in the class and No. 72 overall prospect in the state…Slotted as the No. 61 wide receiver prospect in the country and No. 83 overall prospect in Texas by ESPN…Accounted for 22 catches, 452 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in the six games where stats were available on MaxPreps…2022 First Team 7-5A All-District selection.
Max Iheanachor
Junior - Offensive Line
6-5 | 319 | Long Beach, CA (King Drew Medical/East Los Angeles College)
TW: @maxissnicee71 /// IG: @maxissnicee
Massive offensive line prospect who comes to Arizona State from the junior college level…Spent the last two seasons developing his body at East Los Angeles College, where he played both tackle positions…One of the most widely-pursued junior college offensive tackle prospects who is projected to make an impact right away…Physically-imposing in the trenches, using his added strength and bulk to carve out running lanes and stifle the pass rush…Four-star prospect according to On3 Sports, which tabs him as the No. 16 overall JUCO prospect and No. 6 offensive tackle prospect from the JUCO level…247 Sports lists him as a Top-10 junior college prospect regardless of position and the No. 3 offensive tackle in the class…Rivals ranked him as the No. 64 overall JUCO prospect and gave him a 5.5 rating…One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices… Has three years of eligibility remaining.
Krew Jackson
Redshirt Sophomore - Linebacker
6-5 | 204 | Queen Creek, AZ (Queen Creek/Kansas State)
TW: @krewjack /// IG: @Krewjax3
Played as a reserve linebacker at Kansas State the past two seasons, recording his first career interception in 2022 after appearing in 11 games…Added three tackles – one for loss – on the season...Local prep prospect that played at Queen Creek...Viewed as the 68th-best safety in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports, while Rivals rated him the 14th-best prospect in the state of Arizona…A consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets...Totaled 138 tackles, a pair of interceptions and three passes defended over the final two years of his prep career...Earned academic all-state honors as a senior.
Sirri Kandiyeli
Freshman - Offensive Line
6-3 | 265 | Mesa, AZ (Mountain View)
TW: @SKandiyeli /// IG: sikandiyeli
Sturdy interior offensive line prospect part of the local pipeline that new Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham has established… Prepped at Mountain View High School in Mesa, where he was a three-year member of the varsity squad…Has the versatility to play multiple interior positions along the offensive line…Powerful athlete who utilizes his lower body and base to create movement up front…Part of an offensive line that led Mountain View to an 8-3 record at the highest level (6A) in Arizona, with the offense averaging over 28 points per game…247 Sports rated him as the No. 28 overall prospect in Arizona and No. 134 interior offensive line prospect in the class…On3 Consensus metric has him as the No. 28 prospect in the state and No. 168 interior offensive line prospect…Ranked as the No. 15 center prospect in the nation by ESPN, who also has him as the No. 22 overall prospect in Arizona…Received a 5.4 rating from Rivals… Sports360AZ 6A All-Academic Football Team selection.
Lenox Lawson
Freshman - Defensive Back
5-10 | 172 | Mesa, AZ (Red Mountain)
TW: @lenoxlawson3 /// IG: @lenox._.lawson
Superb playmaker with elite track speed that is part of the local pipeline that new Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham has established …One of the top offensive threats in the state of Arizona who put together an extremely productive career…Played running back, but equally as comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield or returning kicks…Member of the varsity team dating back to his freshman year…Also competes for the track & field team…Compiled 4,134 all-purpose yards in 34 career games at the varsity level… Finished with 2,129 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 275 carries, going over 100 yards eight different times…Averaged over 7.7 yards per rush in his career…Added 110 catches for 1,189 yards and ten touchdowns as a receiver…Scored a total of 29 touchdowns for Red Mountain…Emerged as one of the top players in the state as a senior, rushing for 1,292 yards and ten touchdowns on 170 carries in 11 games…He also had 42 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns through the air…Enjoyed a breakout junior campaign in which he helped Red Mountain to the 6A State Semifinals…Ran for 819 yards and nine touchdowns on 99 carries while adding 55 catches for 577 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5…247 Sports has him slotted as the No. 27 overall prospect in Arizona and the No. 264 wide receiver prospect nationally…Tabbed by ESPN as the No. 85 running back prospect in the class and No. 19 overall prospect in the state…Listed as the No. 25 overall prospect in Arizona and No. 119 running back prospect in the country by On3…Will make the switch to defense at the collegiate level, with his athleticism and speed making him an intriguing defensive back prospect.
Dario Longhetto
Graduate - Kicker
6-0 | 185 | Newbury Park, CA (Newbury Park/Cal)
TW: @DarioLonghetto
Played in 31 games over the last four-plus seasons at Cal, seeing action primarily as a placekicker but also kicking off on a part-time basis and getting into games as a punter...Cal's career leader in scoring with 137 points (24-34 FG, 65-67 PAT)...Also kicked off 76 times for 4605 yards (60.6 avg) with 32 touchbacks while punting on 18 occasions for 736 yards (40.9 avg) all as a 2019 freshman and forcing opponents into three fair catches, trapping them inside their 20-yardline on four occasions and hitting three punts of 50 yards or longer...Recorded his career bests as a placekicker other than average yards per kickoff as a 2021 junior when he played in 11 games and scored a team-high 64 points on 11-of-14 field goals (79%) and 31-of-31 extra points (100%), while he kicked off 55 times for 3285 yards with 19 touchbacks...Averaged a career-high 63.5 yards per kickoff as a 2022 senior with 826 yards on 13 kickoffs...A nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2022 that goes annually to the nation's top FBS player that began his collegiate career as a walk-on and was a Preseason Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 selection.
Dashaun Mallory
Graduate - Defensive Line
6-2 | 280 | Bolingbrook, IL (Bolingbrook/Michigan State)
TW: @DashaunMallory /// IG: @dashaun_mallory
Three-year letterwinner played in 30 career games for the Spartans, including four career starts (two at defensive tackle in 2020; two at defensive end in 2022) . . . tallied 44 career tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss (15 yards) and 2.5 sacks (11 yards), along with two fumble recoveries and one pass break-up...Played in eight games in 2022 with two starts, shifting from tackle to end…Recorded 252 snaps and 16 tackles...Was the eighth-highest graded edge defender in the Big Ten on run defense over the course of the season (74.0), according to PFF...Played in all 13 games in 2021, registering 12 tackles with 0.5 TFL, while logging 265 overall snaps ...Ranked as one of the top defensive tackles in the nation by Rivals.com (No. 44) and 247Sports (No. 59) . . . listed as one of the top overall players in the state of Illinois by 247Sports (No. 12) and Rivals.com (No. 12) . . . named one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the state of Illinois by 247Sports (No. 2) and Rivals.com (No. 3)...Helped the Raiders to the Class 8A state playoffs in 2017 . . . named to the 2017 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State Team . . . recorded 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss during his senior season . . . also forced six fumbles and scored two touchdowns.
Tristan Monday
Redshirt Sophomore - Defensive Line
6-4 | 276 | Scottsdale, AZ (Saguaro/Wisconsin)
TW: @monday_tristan /// IG: @9t_monday9
Did not see game action as a true freshman at Wisconsin but earned the praise of assistant coach Ross Kolodziej during his first fall camp...A consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting services...Tallied 174 total tackles and an absurd 79 tackles for loss during his three-year prep career at Saguaro, logging 26 sacks in the process...Led Saguaro to its first-ever Open Division State title in 2021 in a senior season where he logged 76 tackles with 35 of those coming for a loss and 10.5 sacks...Recorded three tackles and a TFL in the championship game over Chandler, unseating a Wolves program that had won five-straight state titles at the highest level of Arizona prep football...Earned All-State honors from the Arizona Republic for his efforts.
Sean Na'a
Freshman - Offensive Line
6-4 | 275 | Inglewood, CA (St. John Bosco)
TW: @SeanNaa3 /// IG: @thtkidsean
Powerful offensive line prospect with the versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line…Started in the trenches for St. John Bosco in California, one of the top prep schools in the nation…Displayed advanced physicality and plays with an edge necessary for the position…Utilized his long arms and strong lower body to initiate contact and drive defenders off the ball…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…247 Sports ranked him as the No. 81 interior offensive line prospect in the country and a Top-120 overall prospect in California…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5 and tabbed him as a Top-100 overall propsect in California (No. 90)…Listed by ESPN as the No. 68 offensive guard prospect in the class and a Top-100 overall prospect in the state (No. 95)…The No. 140 overall interior offensive line prospect in the country and at Top-150 overall prospect in California according to On3 Sports consensus rankings…Earned Max Preps Second Team All-American honors after a dominant senior year…St. John Bosco went 13-1 and finished ranked No. 1 in the nation in the last Max Preps poll of 2022…Helped lead the Braves to the CIF State Football Open Division Championship, where they defeated Serra 45-0…Behind Na'a and the offensive line, St. John Bosco ran for 2,668 yards and 35 touchdowns in 14 games…Braves averaged 8.2 yards per carry with Na'a and company paving the way…2022 SBLive California High School Football All-State Team selection…Saw time on the defensive side of the ball as a junior, helping him improve his technique and football IQ on the offensive side.
Troy Omeire
Redshirt Junior - Wide Reciever
6-3 | 213 | Sugar Land, TX (Fort Bend Austin/Texas)
TW: @troyomeire /// IG: @troyomeire
Played in four games for Texas last season in his first collegiate action after missing his first two seasons to injury...A three-time all-district honoree and offensive MVP ... ranked No. 176 nationally, No. 33 at wide receiver and No. 25 overall in Texas by Rivals ... rated No. 181 on the ESPN300, No. 27 at wide receiver and No. 28 overall in Texas by ESPN ... No. 557 nationally, No. 97 at wide receiver, and No. 72 overall in Texas according to 247Sports...Listed at No. 48 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 ... ranked No. 4 in the Houston Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle ... chosen district Offensive MVP and earned first-team All-District 20-6A honors in 2019 ... recorded 65 catches for 906 yards (13.9 ypr) and 10 touchdowns, while rushing 57 times for 364 yards (6.4 ypc) and five touchdowns as a senior ... also completed six passes for 38 yards to tally 1,308 total yards for the season ... posted four consecutive 100-yard receiving games...Named second-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football ... named to the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2019 UIL High School Preseason Team...Tabbed first-team All-District 20-6A in 2018 ... registered 46 catches for 782 yards (17.0 ypr) and 13 touchdowns as a junior ... posted four 100-yard receiving games...Chosen first-team All-District 20-6A in 2017 ... totaled 38 receptions for 744 yards (19.6 ypr) and eight touchdowns as a sophomore ... posted four consecutive 100-yard receiving games to end the season.
Elijah O'Neal
Junior - Defensive Line
6-4 | 245 | Renton, WA (Hazen/Butte College)
TW: @ElijahONeal58 /// IG: _bige9
Dominant junior college defensive lineman who projects to be able to play immediately at the next level…Prolific pass rusher with a variety of moves and relentless motor…His combination of size and speed is tough for opposing lineman to handle…Has the strength and agility to shed blocks and be a factor in the run game…Already physically developed and ready for the college game...Two-year standout at Butte College, where he was extremely productive as an edge rusher…Finished his 11-game career with 86 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and three forced fumbles...Played in 11 games a season ago for the Roadrunners and was named a JUCO All-American as a utility player and was an All-CCCAA North Region Selection…He finished 2022 second in the state with 14.5 sacks and sack yards (104), while tallying a total of 66 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and two forced fumble…O'Neal had four games with two or more sacks, including a five-sack effort against San Francisco City College...In his debut season as a freshman, he had 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble returned for a touchdown...One of the top rated junior college prospect in the nation…247 Sports composite metric has him as the No. 7 edge rusher and No. 65 overall prospect at the junior college level…Rivals gave him a 5.5 rating and a spot in their JUCO Top-100, coming in at No 62…Listed as the No. 6 JUCO defensive end prospect in the country by ESPN…No. 22 overall prospect in On3 Sports JUCO rankings, slotted as the No. 4 linebacker prospect in the class.
Drew Pyne
Redshirt Junior - Quarterback
6-0 | 194 | New Canaan, CT (New Canaan/Notre Dame)
TW: @dpyne10 /// IG: @drewpyne
Played sparingly his first two seasons at Notre Dame before assuming the role of starter in 2022...Starting 10 games at Notre Dame in 2022, leading it to an 8-2 record in those games and finishing No. 20 nationally in individual quarterback efficiency in the regular season….Completed 22 touchdown passes and 64.6% of his passes overall… His 8-2 record included a 4-1 record against top 25 teams...Had three touchdown passes at North Carolina were the most by a Notre Dame quarterback in their first road start since 1994… Responsible for five touchdowns against Navy, including four first half passing TDs… Completed his first 15 passes of against USC, en route to going 23-for-26…The .884 completion percentage is second in a single game in program history, trailing just Steve Buerlein's .909 (10-for-11) in 1984…Was a perfect-8-for-8 in the first half…Set a new career record with 318 yards passing, his first 300-yard passing game of his career...A four-star prep recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.com…No. 118 overall player nationally, No. 7 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 1 player from Connecticut by Rivals…No. 193 overall player nationally, No. 7 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 1 player from Connecticut by 247Sports.com…No. 166 overall player nationally, No. 26 overall player regionally, No. 9 pocket-passer quarterback nationally and No. 2 player from Connecticut by ESPN.com (83 Scout Grade)... In 2019, completed 161 of 252 passes for 2,107 yards and 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions…Also ran 57 times for 259 yards and eight touchdowns...Ended his career as New Canaan's career leader in passing yards and touchdowns, throwing his 100th career touchdown pass on Nov. 15, 2019...Two-time Connecticut state champion, as well as New England Regional Champion...Named an Under Armour All-American...SBLive California High School Football All-State Team selection…Saw time on the defensive side of the ball as a junior, helping him improve his technique and football IQ on the offensive side.
Jaden Rashada
Freshman - Quarterback
6-4 | 185 | Pittsburg, CA (Pittsburgh)
TW: @jadenrashada /// IG: @jadenrashada
The crown jewel of Head Coach Kenny Dillingham's first signing class in Tempe… Represents arguably the most significant and impactful signing in program history…Elite quarterback prospect who had the option to go anywhere in the country…Special arm talent with the ability to make any throw…A tall frame and impressive arm strength allow him to push the ball down the field…Continued improving his accuracy throughout his high school career, developing into one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the class… Dynamic with the ball in his hands, wreaking havoc on opposing defenses with his ability to run and pass…Displays extreme poise and the ability to make quick decisions in the face of pressure, making defenses pay for blitzing…Member of the 2022 Elite 11 Quarterback class, which recognizes the nation's top senior quarterbacks…Selected to the Under Armour All-American Game, with only the nation's elite prospect receiving an invite…Consensus four-star prospect among the major recruiting services…The highest ranked recruit to sign with Arizona State since the 2020 class and is a Top-5 rated prospect of all-time to become a Sun Devil…Listed as the No. 31 overall prospect in the ESPN 300, the third-highest of any Sun Devil signee since the service began in 2006 (behind Vontaze Burfict, N'Keal Harry)…ESPN also lists him as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the nation and No. 3 overall prospect in the loaded state of California…247 Sports ranked him as the No. 44 overall prospect in the country, No. 6 quarterback prospect in the nation, and No. 4 overall prospect in California…Tabbed as the No. 73 overall prospect, the No. 6 quarterback prospect in the nation, and the No. 6 overall prospect by On 3 Sports consensus metric…Received a 5.9 rating from Rivals, who tabbed him as the No. 10 quarterback prospect and No. 163 overall prospect nationally as well as the No. 13 overall prospect in the state…Started his final two years under center, producing spectacular numbers…Finished his career having completed 402-of-672 (60%) of his passes for 5,816 yards and 80 touchdowns…Added 592 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground…Accounted for 39 total touchdowns during a brilliant senior campaign…Went 211-for-338 throwing for 3,055 yards and 32 touchdowns in 14 games as a senior…Ran for 419 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022…Enjoyed a breakout junior season in which he completed 146-of-246 passes for 2,220 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first year as a starter…Member of the varsity squad since his freshman year, seeing playing time each season… Plays baseball and football at Pittsburg High School…Son of former Sun Devil Football defensive back Harlen Rashada (1992-94).
Tate Romney
Redshirt Freshman - Linebacker
6-3 | 220 | Chandler, AZ (Chandler/BYU)
TW: @tatekromney /// IG: @tkromney
Appeared in three games but didn't record a stat in his true freshman season at BYU after serving his LDS mission between Bahia Blanca, Argentina and San Antonio, Texas...In three years at Chandler High School, he notched 272 tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 15 sacks...Named the 2019 Arizona 6A Varsity Linebacker of the Year after he recorded 115 tackles and 13.0 tackles for loss...Helped pace the Chandler defense en route to three-straight AIA State Championships at the highest level of prep ball in Arizona..Rated a consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets...Brothers Gunner and Baylor also played football at BYU.
Shawn Russ
Freshman - Defensive Back
6-3 | 185 | Fort Myers, FL (Dunbar)
TW: @ShawnRussJr1 /// IG: believein5_
Highly-touted defensive back prospect from a recruiting hotbed in Florida…Supreme athlete with elite physical tools…Ball-hawking defensive back that can cover a tremendous amount of ground…A unique combination of size and speed make him a dangerous force at the next level projecting to play multiple position in the defensive backfield…Two-way standout at Dunbar High who headlined a defense that helped the Tigers go 37-7 during his four-year varsity career…Compiled 196 total tackles, 11 interceptions, 16 pass deflections and six tackles for loss in his career…Recently completed a terrific season in which he finished with 91 tackles, six tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery…Made 32 tackles and picked off three passes as a junior in leading Dunbar to a 6A District Title…Credited with 41 tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore…Introduced himself to the prep scene after intercepting five passes in ten games as a freshman on varsity…Was named a Freshman High School All-American because of his efforts… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals rates him as the No. 62 cornerback prospect nationally and No. 90 overall prospect in Florida… Tabbed as the No. 71 safety prospect and No. 864 overall prospect in the class by 247 Sports composite metric…Ranked as the No. 68 safety prospect in the country and No. 729 overall prospect according to the On3 Sports metric…ESPN lists him as the No. 61 cornerback prospect in the class and No. 108 overall prospect in Florida...Rotary South All-Star Game participant.
Kyle Scott
Junior - Offensive Line
6-5 | 305 | Lake Elsinore, CA (Temescal Canyon/Riverside CC)
TW: @kscott57
Physically-imposing prospect who has emerged as one of the premier offensive tackles at the junior college level…Versatile athlete with the ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line…Played for Riverside Community College, who went 12-1 and appeared in the 2022 CCCAA Football State Championship Game…Behind Scott and the offensive line, Riverside averaged 562.7 yards of offense per game, including 196.9 on the ground…The Tigers averaged 40.5 points and the offensive line allowed only seven sacks all season…Thanks to his efforts, Scott was a SCFA All-CCCAA Central Division First Team selection…Tabbed as a three-star prospect by Rivals, who gave him a 5.5 rating...Listed as the No. 40 overall junior college prospect and No. 14 offensive tackle prospect in the class by 247 Sports...On3 ranked him as the No. 32 overall junior college prospect and No. 8 offensive tackle prospect in the nation.
Shamari Simmons
Graduate /// Defensive Back
6-0 /// 180 /// Ashland, AL (Clay Central/Hutchinson CC/Austin Peay)
TW: @ShamariKeshaun /// IG: @hood_hero_8
Named a 2022 All-ASUN Conference Selection, recording 63 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, three interceptions and four pass breakups and recorded double digit tackles in each of the team's final three games – including a career-best 12 against Alabama with two breakups...Ranked in the Top-40 among all FCS safeties in 2022 with a coverage grade of 78.5...Played in all 11 games, starting nine games in 2021… Had two tackles and two pass breakups in his Austin Peay debut against Chattanooga (Sept. 2)… Broke onto the scene on the season's biggest stage with a career-high 11 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup at Ole Miss (Sept. 11) ...Earned one OVC Player of the Week accolade and led the league 10 pass breakups while adding four interceptions…Ranked fourth on the team with 50 total tackles...Redshirted as a freshman in 2019 at Hutchinson Community College – which was also attended by Sun Devil corner Ro Torrence...Totaled 20 tackles in four appearances during the Blue Dragons' 2020- 21 NJCAA National Championship season… Posted three tackles in NJCCA National Championship game against Snow College.
Cameron Skattebo
Junior - Running Back
5-10 | 224 | Rio Linda, CA (Rio Linda/Sacramento State)
TW: @camskattebo5 /// IG: 4_reasonzz_
Named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after rushing for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns to help the Hornets go 11-0 in the regular season and becoming the No. 2-ranked FCS team in the nation…Added 31 catches for 371 yards and three touchdowns...His 1,382 yards were seventh in the FCS and he was the fifth-highest graded running back in the FCS this season (93.0)…Recorded a first down or touchdown on 40.3 percent of his touches – the highest tally in the FCS… Was stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage just 5.1 percent of the time – the 16th-lowest tally in the FCS...Named a Third Team All-Big Sky selection at running back in 2021, amassing 520 yards on 57 carries with six touchdowns for an outstanding 9.12 yards per carry...A 2020 graduate of Rio Linda HS where he was one of the most accomplished running backs in Sac-Joaquin Section history, finishing his career with 6,192 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns… Rio Linda went 29-8 in his three seasons...Named first team all-league three times and was named the Sacramento Bee Offensive Player of the Year, the Foothill Valley League MVP and all-state as a junior...As a senior, he totaled 1,650 rushing yards and scored 18 touchdowns while also throwing for 245 yards and a score…Had nine games with at least 100 rushing yards and scored multiple TDs six times…Biggest game came against Foothill HS where he had 287 rushing yards on 22 carries… Scored four touchdowns against Oakmont HS for his season high...During his junior year, he rushed for 3,550 yards and 42 touchdowns and guided the Knights to the CIF 5-A state title…Amassed over 100 yards in 14 of the team's 15 games and averaged 11.6 yards per rush…Had 10 games with 200 rushing yards, including three with 300 yards….Ended his season with 393 rushing yards and three touchdowns against San Gorgonio HS in the state title game…Scored five rushing touchdowns against Pioneer HS, Pacheco HS and Casa Roble HS and had multiple scores in 12 games...As a sophomore, he had 992 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Clayton Smith
Redshirt Sophomore /// Defensive Line
6-4 /// 245 /// Queen City, TX (Texas High/Oklahoma)
TW: @claytonsmith_10 /// IG: @claytonsmith_10
Appeared in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2022 with five tackles and 1.0 TFL…Played in four games and totaled three tackles as a true freshman in 2021 with a 0.5 tackle for loss and a fumble recovery...A five-star recruit by Rivals and a four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN ... a consensus top-100 national recruit ... rated as the nation's No. 23 overall player by Rivals, No. 49 by 247Sports and No. 84 by ESPN ... regarded by 247Sports as the country's No. 3 weakside defensive end ... ranked as the No. 2 outside linebacker by Rivals and No. 9 by ESPN ... the No. 5 player in Texas by Rivals, No. 6 by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN ... touted as the No. 10 Texas prospect in the class of 2021 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football...A 2021 All-American Bowl invitee ... a 2020 MaxPreps first-team all-state honoree as a linebacker...Logged 53 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 29 quarterback hurries as a senior in 2020 for 11-1 Tigers (advanced to second round of 5A D-II Playoffs) ... also recorded 13 catches for 184 yards and six touchdowns (and one rushing TD) as a senior...A first-team all-district selection at defensive end as a junior in 2019 when he compiled 94 tackles, 20 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries ... caught 10 passes for 237 yards and six TDs his junior season...Registered 57 tackles, two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles as a sophomore in 2018 ... a three-sport athlete who also competed in basketball and in the high jump for the track and field team.
Jake Smith
Redshirt Junior /// Wide Receiver
6-0 /// 200 /// Scottsdale, AZ. (Notre Dame Prep/Texas/USC)
TW: @jakesmith27 /// IG: @jakesmith35
Transferred to USC after 2020 but didn't appear in a game following an early foot injury upon arrival...Appeared in seven games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season at Texas, making six starts and catching 23 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns...Played in all 13 games as a true freshman at Texas in 2019, recording 25 catches for 274 yards with six touchdowns...He was the 2018 National Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior running back and wide receiver at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale (Ariz.)...He also was named 2018 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, USA Today All-USA second team, USA Today All-Arizona first team, Ed Doherty Award finalist, 5A Northeast Valley Region Player of the Year and All-Region first team...As a senior, he had 2,349 all-purpose yards, including 1,070 receiving (on 58 catches), 741 rushing (on 100 carries), 420 returning kicks, 118 returning punts, and 39 TDs, plus he had 20 tackles with 4.5 sacks, and punted 25 times for a 40.3 average...Notre Dame Prep advanced to the 2018 state 5A championship game...As a 2017 junior, he made USA Today All-Arizona first team, 5A All-Conference first team and 5A Northeast Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year. As a junior, he had 2,538 all-purpose yards, including 1,135 rushing (on 118 carries), 1,055 receiving (on 33 catches), 193 returning kicks and 155 returning punt, and 28 touchdowns. Notre Dame Prep advanced to the 2017 state 5A championship game. He made 2016 All-5A Northeast Valley Region second team as a sophomore when he ran for 397 yards and had 68 receiving yards while scoring 5 total TDs. He also played baseball and lacrosse at Notre Dame Prep...As a four-star recruit on the 247Sports Composite, Smith ranked as the No. 49 overall player, No. 2 Arizona recruit, and No. 8 wide receiver in the 2019 class… Rated as the No. 48 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals and No. 2 overall recruit in the state…Tabbed a four-star prospect by ESPN and the No. 10 wide receiver prospect in the nation while coming in at No. 76 on the ESPN300 list.
Melquan Stovall
Graduate /// Wide Receiver
5-9 /// 185 /// Lancaster, CA (Junipero Serra/Nevada/Colorado State)
TW: @Melquan_1 /// IG: @Stovallmelquan
Had 13 catches for 106 yards in three games at Colorado State in 2022...Finished his junior season with 56 catches for 643 yards and one touchdown …Had a long reception of 65 yards as he averaged 11.48 yards per catch…Had 108 catches for 1,064 yards and one score in three years with Nevada… Earned the Hustle Award for offense at the team awards banquet on Dec. 5...Graduated from Junipero Serra High School in southern California…Three-year starter in high school…Helped Paraclete High School to a pair of division championships before moving on to Junipero Serra...Has an older brother, Melquise, who played for Hawaii and Pitt (2016-21).
Landen Thomas
Freshman /// Defensive Line
6-3 /// 260 /// Zachary, LA (Zachary)
TW: @LandenThomas22 /// IG: @im.lando_
Aggressive and tough defensive line prospect with the ability to rush the passer from the interior…Continues to grow physically, allowing him to play anywhere along the defensive line…Quick first step and a strong burst off the snap…Teamed up with fellow Class of 2023 signee Ashley Williams to form one of the best defensive lines in the state…Zachary finished the 2022 season as the No. 8 ranked team in the state of Louisiana and made the 2022 LHSAA Division I Non-Select Football Final Four…Rivals gave him a 5.5 rating as a three-star prospect…ESPN also lists him as a three-star prospect and the No. 61 overall prospect in the state of Louisiana… The On3 consensus metric ranks him as the No. 63 overall prospect in Louisiana...Tabbed as the No. 172 defensive line prospect in the nation and No. 55 overall prospect in Louisiana by 247 Sports.
K'Vion Thunderbird
Freshman /// Linebacker
6-1 /// 215 /// Chicago, IL (Kenwood Academy)
TW: @KvionTbird05 /// IG: @d1v0nno._
Lightning quick linebacker prospect with unique physical tools for a linebacker…Extremely light on his feet which allows him to fly around the field to make plays on the ball…Productive and consistent tackler, improving upon his technique each year at the prep level…Moves well in space with the ability to cover as well as stop the run…The size and speed combination make him a tough matchup as a blitzer going against opposing offensive lineman…Continues to build his physique, developing into one of the prospect in this class that is most ready to play at the collegiate level…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…247 Sports tabbed him as a Top-1000 overall prospect, slotting at No. 73 among linebackers and No. 20 among overall prospects in Illinois…Listed as the No. 64 linebacker prospect in the country and No. 11 overall prospect in Illinois…Rivals gave him a 5.6 rating and ranked him in the Top-20 of overall prospects in the state…Rated by ESPN as the No. 40 inside linebacker prospect in the class and No. 23 overall prospect in the state…Compiled 237 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in a decorated two-year varsity career…Responsible for two defensive touchdowns… Illinois 6A Football All-State selection after a dominant final season…Completed his senior year with 109 tackles, six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles…Became one of the top up-and-coming prospect after a breakout junior year, collecting 126 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, and two pass deflections.
Bram Walden
Redshirt Sophomore /// Offensive Line
6-5 /// 302 /// Scottsdale, AZ (Saguaro/Oregon)
TW: @bramwalden42 /// IG: @bramwalden
Redshirt his true freshman season in 2021 and appeared in two games as a reserve lineman at Oregon in 2022...Consensus four-star recruit and top-150 player nationally by 247Sports (No. 62), the 247 composite (No. 82), Rivals (No. 109) and ESPN (No. 126) … Top-10 offensive tackle nationally by 247Sports (No. 9), with top-15 rankings from the 247 composite (No. 11), Rivals (No. 15) and ESPN (No. 15) … No. 1 rated player in Arizona by 247Sports, while ranking in the top five with Rivals (No. 2), the 247 composite (No. 2) and ESPN (No. 4) … Consensus No. 1 offensive tackle from Arizona by all of the recruiting services...Named to the PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team as the magazine's No. 57 player overall … Selected to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl … Named to the second-team MaxPreps 2020 Preseason High School All-American Football Team … Named Sports Illustrated All-American finalist … Rated the top offensive lineman in the state prior to the season by the Arizona Republic … Earned a spot on the first-team 2020 Arizona MaxPreps all-state high school football team...Opened holes for a Saguaro rushing attack that averaged 208.7 rushing yards per game and 8.3 yards per rush … Sabercats ran for over 200 yards three times, highlighted by 323 yards and five TDs on the ground in the season-finale against Gilbert … One of the leaders for an offensive attack that averaged 39.2 points per game and scored over 40 points in three of the six games...Selected first-team 4A all-state by the Arizona Interscholastic Association as a junior … Named to the Arizona Republic's All-Arizona team in 2019 … Named second-team all-state in Arizona by MaxPreps … Earned first-team All-Desert Sky honors … Paved the way for the Sabercats to run for 223.4 yards per game for an average 10.2 yards per rush … Offense ran for over 200 yards in eight of the 13 games, including four 300-yard performances on the ground … Led Saguaro to the Arizona Open Division state title game and helped the offense average 46.6 points per game with six games scoring 50-plus points...Received second-team All-Desert Sky League honors as a sophomore in 2018 … Won the 4A state championship with Saguaro going 13-1 and winning 12 straight games to end the season … Paved the way for a ground attack that rolled up 230.2 yards per game and averaged 8.9 yards per rush… Helped spearhead a Sabercats' offense that scored 52 TDs on the ground on the way to averaging 48.6 points per game with five 50-plus point outputs … Led the way for nine 200-yard rushing performances in 14 games with three 300-yard games.
Montana Warren
Freshman /// Defensive Back
6-3 /// 180 /// Henderson, TX (Marshall)
TW: @montanawarren2 /// IG: @montywarren27
Tall and lean defensive back prospect who uses his length to impact opposing receivers…Matches up well with bigger receivers thanks to his large frame and big body…Multi-talented prospect that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…A member of the track and field team, competing in sprints and jump events…Four-year varsity player and two-way standout for the Lions the past two seasons… Led by Warren, the Marshall defense allowed seven points or less three times and 17 points or less in five games during the 2022 season…The previous year, Warren and Marshall boasted one of the best defenses in the state, not allowing 30 points until the Area Championship game (21.6 ppg)… 2021 Texas District 9-5A-I first-team selection at defensive back as a junior...Emerged as one of the state's top sophomores in 2020 at Elysian Field, finishing with 39 tackles, two interceptions, and ten pass deflections…Added 32 catches for 463 yards and three touchdowns on offense…Also served as the team's punt and kick returner… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals evaluated him as an athlete and assigned a rating of 5.5…Rated as the No. 92 safety prospect in the nation and No. 166 overall prospect in Texas by 247 Sports… Tabbed as the No. 104 safety prospect and just outside the Top-200 as an overall prospect in the state by ESPN…On3 Sports lists him as the No. 74 safety prospect in the class and No. 165 overall prospect in Texas… One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices.
Ashley Williams
Freshman /// Defensive Line
6-5 /// 225 /// Zachary, LA (Zachary)
TW: @AshleyLWilliam4 /// IG: @geaux_ash
Instant impact prospect from one of the most competitive recruiting areas in the country…Possesses the ideal size and body type for an edge defender…Arguably the crown jewel of new Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham's first signing class at Arizona State… Talented pass rusher that uses his length and athleticism to overwhelm opposing offensive lineman…Effective run defender thanks to his power and ability to shed blocks…Can play with a hand in the ground or standing up in a linebacker… Teamed up with fellow Class of 2023 signee Landen Thomas to form one of the best defensive lines in the state…Zachary finished the 2022 season as the No. 8 ranked team in the state of Louisiana and made the 2022 LHSAA Division I Non-Select Football Final Four…Nationally-pursued recruit that chose Arizona State over several marquee programs…Rivals evaluated him with a 5.7 rating and slotted him as the No. 24 weakside defensive end and No. 28 overall prospect in Louisiana…Ranked by 247 Sports composite metric as the No. 539 overall prospect in the nation, No. 49 edge defender, and No. 22 prospect in Louisiana…On3 Sports consensus metric tabbed him as the No. 491 overall prospect, No. 43 edge prospect, and the No. 18 player in Louisiana…ESPN lists him as the No. 77 defensive end in the class and No. 21 prospect in the state.
Slater Zellers
Graduate /// Long Snapper
6-1 /// 235 /// Scottsdale, Ariz. (Notre Dame/Cal)
TW: @SlaterZellers /// IG: @slater.zellers
A member of the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper Award Preseason Watch List for the first time in his career in 2022...No. 1 draft-eligible long snapper for the 2023 NFL Draft according to Phil Steele...Played in each of the past 38 Cal games over the last three-plus campaigns after redshirting as a 2018 true freshman and has made every snap on punts during the time frame although he did not snap on field goals or extra points for three consecutive contests of his 2021 junior season (Oregon, Colorado, Oregon State) before resuming those duties for the remainder of the campaign beginning with the ninth game of the season at Arizona and continuing them for each of the first five contests of his 2022 senior season...Has five tackles including a career-high three as a 2022 senior...A four-year starting varsity long snapper who earned Under Armour All-American, first-team All-Arizona and first-team All-Northeast Valley honors for a squad that finished 13-1 overall, reached the 5A Arizona State Championship Game and won the Northeast Valley Region title as a 2017 senior while finishing as MaxPreps' No. 9 overall squad in the state of Arizona...Competed in the Under Armour All-American Game…Added preseason All-USA Arizona football honors as a senior from azcentral…Also earned first-team Arizona All-State recognition as well as a spot on Arizona's All-Academic team as a 2016 junior for a squad that was 8-2 overall and won the 5A East Valley title...A five-star long snapper by Kohl's Professional Camps where he was ranked as the top prep long snapper in the country and a three-star player in 247Sports Composite Ratings…Also rated the top long snapper in the nation by ESPN...Registered the fastest long snap time ever observed at the high school level (0.63 seconds) by Kohl's Professional Camps at the Texas Showcase in 2017…Earned a spot on the National Invitational Scholarship Camp All-Camp Team…Called "the best high school long snapper I have ever seen" by Jamie Kohl of Kohl's Professional Camps
Despite only being on the job for two months, Coach Dillingham and the entire Sun Devil Footabll staff worked tirelessly to re-construct the roster. As a result, Arizona State earned the signatures of 43 student-athletes, currently tied for the most of any Division I program. 25 members of the class enrolled in January and have been able to participate in offseason team activities.The following is a breakdown of the 2023 Arizona State Football Signing Class.
MOST RECRUITING ADDITIONS (Combining Transfers, JUCOs, and Freshmen)
Arizona State, 43
Colorado, 43
Nebraska, 40
Oregon, 39
Oklahoma, 38
CLASS BREAKDOWN
The 2023 Sun Devil Football 43-man signing class includes...
- 15 High School Prospects (Incoming Freshman)
- 25 College Transfers (21 Division I Transfers; 15 from Power 5 level + 2 from BYU)
- 3 Junior College Transfers
Arizona State arguably took advantage of the transfer portal as well as any program in the nation, signing a total of 25, the most by any Division I team. With several of those transfers still to be evaluated by the site, ASU currently has the 10th ranked transfer class nationally according to 247 Sports. 8 of those transfers were four-start prospects coming out of high school. Nevada transfer Aaron Frost is the highest-ranked transfer according to 247 Sports, garnering a four-star rating.
FILLING THE NEEDS
The Sun Devils used this signing class to fill needs at several positions, replenishing all aspects of the roster. Here is a closer look at the positions of the Class of 2023 signees...
- 3 quarterbacks
- 2 running backs
- 6 wide receivers
- 8 offensive lineman
- 9 defensive lineman
- 4 linebackers
- 8 defensive backs
- 3 specialists
Head Coach Kenny Dillingham put an emphasis on bringing some of the recent top talent in the state back home. Arizona State's roster now boasts 8 student-athletes that were Top-30 prospects in Arizona over the past three signing classes (according to 247 Sports). A few standouts include OL Bram Walden (No. 1 player in AZ; 2021 class), DL Tristan Monday (No. 8 player in AZ; 2022 class), and LB Krew Jackson (No. 17 player in AZ; 2021 class).
RECRUITING FOOTPRINT
Arizona State was able to land prospects from all over the country, solidifying several lucrative recruiting pipelines. Members of the signing class hail from 11 different states, including the talent-rich areas of Texas, California, and most importantly Arizona.
- 12 from Arizona
- 11 from California
- 9 from Texas
- 2 from Washington
- 2 from Louisiana
- 2 from Illinois
- 1 from Florida
- 1 from Alabama
- 1 from Hawaii
- 1 from Ohio
- 1 from Connecticut
Consensus four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada was crown jewel in the first signing class for Kenny Dillingham and his coaching staff. Rashada is the highest-ranked quarterback to sign with the Sun Devils since 2019 and is the 11th-best overall recruit to sign with the Sun Devils since in the internet recruiting services era (2000) according to 247 Sports. 247 Sports tabbed him as the No. 44 overall prospect in the nation, making him the seventh-highest rated overall prospect to sign with a Pac-12 program. He is also slotted as the No. 6 quarterback prospect in the class and No. 4 overall player in the state by the same publication. By occupying the No. 31 spot in the ESPN 300, Rashada represents the third-highest ranked player to sign with the Sun Devils since ESPN started their service in 2006 (Vontaze Burfict, N'Keal Harry). He is On3 Sports' No. 6 quarterback prospect nationally and No. 6 overall prospect in California. Rivals ranked him as the No. 10 quarterback prospect in the nation. The accolades aren't limited to his recruiting rankings, as he also secured a spot in the Elite 11, emerging as one of the nation's top signal callers regardless of class. He was a member of team speed Under Armour All-American Game, which aired nationally on ESPN back in January. Jaden is also the son of former Sun Devil Football defensive back Harlen Rashada (1992-94).
Keith Abney
Freshman – Defensive Back
6-0 | 183 | Duncanville, TX (Waxahachie)
TW: @keithabneyjr /// IG: @ ke1th__
Two-way standout for Waxahachie High School that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas …Finished with over 1,000 all-purpose yards and 20 tackles during a productive 25-game varsity career…Hauled in 19 catches for 396 yards and six touchdowns as a senior…Also added two interceptions, one fumble recovery, eight tackles, and a pass deflection on defense…Served as a punt and kick returner…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services… Rivals gave him a rating of 5.6…247 Sports Composite ranked him as the No. 107 athlete prospect in the nation and No. 207 overall prospect in the state of Texas… On3 Consenus slotted him as the No. 56 athlete prospect in the class…No. 120-ranked athlete in the nation according to ESPN…2021 Texas District 11-6A first-team selection as a junior.
Xavion Alford
Redshirt Junior - Defensive Back
6-0 | 190 | Pearland, TX (Shadow Creek/Texas/USC)
TW: @100YARDLANDLORD /// IG: @100yardlandlord
Missed the 2022 season to injuries...Transferred to USC from Texas in the spring of 2021 and saw significant playing time at strong safety and on special teams as a redshirt freshman in 2021… Overall in 2021 while appearing in 11 games (all but California) and starting twice (UCLA and BYU), he made 31 tackles, a team-best 3 interceptions and 3 deflections and earned USC's 2021 Co-Defensive Perimeter Player of the Year Award...Appeared in 4 games (UTEP, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Kansas State) as a first-year freshman reserve safety at Texas in 2020, recording 4 tackles...An All-America and all-state honoree…selected to participate in the 2020 All-American Bowl…injured in the first game of 2019 and missed the remainder of his senior season...Selected for the Class Act award by a local television station...Ranked No. 137 nationally overall, No. 9 at safety and No. 14 overall in Texas by Rivals … No. 145 nationally, No. 9 at safety, and No. 21 overall in Texas according to 247Sports … rated No. 202 on the ESPN300, No. 9 at safety and No. 32 overall in Texas by ESPN … listed at No. 19 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 … ranked No. 5 in the Houston Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle...Named first-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … named to the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2019 UIL High School Preseason Team … earned first-team 5A All-State honors from the Texas Sports Writers Association and honorable mention from the Associated Press in 2018 … tabbed first-team All-District 10-5A Division 1...played in all 16 games as a junior, recording 70 tackles (58 solo), six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and 21 passes defended as a junior … also returned two kickoffs … part of a defense that allowed just 16.1 points per game, including two shutouts … posted at least four tackles in 10 games and at least six tackles five times … returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown against Texas City...Helped Shadow Creek to a 15-1 overall record, a 7-0 district mark and title, and an appearance in the 5A Division 1 state title game in 2018 – the same season Shadow Creek debuted a varsity football squad...Also played basketball in high school
Sam Benjamin
Redshirt Freshman – Defensive Line
6-5 | 255 | Oro Valley, AZ (Ironwood Ridge/Idaho State)
TW: @SamuelB2022 /// IG: @sambenjamin.17
Reserve lineman at Idaho State that played as a true freshman in 2022...Collected 14 tackles over eight games for the Bengals, including two tackles for loss and half a sack and adding three batted passes...An Arizona native that played his prep ball at Ironwood Ridge High School in Oro Valley...Collected 53 tackles as a senior in 2021 with 12 tackles for loss as a defensive lineman while also playing offensive line for the Nighthawks...He was named a First Team offensive and defensive lineman by the 5A Sonoran Division coaches Ironwood Ridge went 4-1 in the division in 2021 and advanced to the state 5A playoffs.
Kaleb Black
Freshman – Wide Receiver
5-9 | 165 | Spring, TX (Klein Oak)
TW: @Jae7Kaleb /// IG: @Kaleb_.___
Lightning quick wide receiver prospect part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas …Extremely productive varsity career…Finished with 124 receptions for 1,905 yards and 17 touchdowns in 29 games…Accumulated over 2,300 all-purpose yards and scored 19 total touchdowns in his career… Served as a punt and kick returner…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5…247 Sports Composite rankings lists him just outside the Top-250 in their Texas prospect rankings and No. 228 wide receiver prospect in the nation…ESPN tabbed him as the No. 140 wide receiver prospect nationally and just outside the Top-175 as an overall prospect in Texas…Ranked as the No. 33 wide receiver in Texas by Dave Campbell's Texas Football website…Just missed a nod as a Top-250 wide receiver prospect in the class according to On3 Sports (No. 251)…Selected as the District 15-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore.
Keontez Bradley
Freshman - Defensive Back
6-1 | 172 | Mansfield, OH (Mansfield Senior)
TW: @bradley_keontez /// IG: @keontez19
One of the nation's fastest-rising defensive back prospects…All-around athlete who left his mark on Mansfield High School in several sports…Takes advantage of his size and length on both sides of the ball, becoming a dominant two-way player…Also ran track in High School, qualifying for the Division I state 400-meter championship as a junior…Competes in hurdle events and is a member of the relay team…Finished his 27-game varsity career with 89 total tackles, four tackles for loss, five interceptions, 20 pass deflections and a fumble recovery…Compiled nearly 900 all-purpose yards despite spending a majority of his time as a defender…Saved his best season for last, emerging as one of the state's top defensive backs…Collected 53 tackles, three tackles for loss, two interceptions, and ten pass deflections as a senior…Added a pair of blocked field goals to his incredible final campaign…Saw action on offense as a wide receiver, catching 18 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns…Scored via reception, interception return, and punt return during the 2022 season…Made 24 tackles and picked off three passes in only eight games during a breakout junior season…247 Sports tabbed him as the No. 68 cornerback prospect in the country and No. 20 overall prospect in Ohio…0n3 rates him as the No. 41 cornerback prospect in the nation and No. 14 overall prospect in Ohio...Received a 5.4 rating from Rivals...Listed by ESPN as the No. 66 safety prospect nationally and a Top-25 overall prospect in Ohio.
DeCarlos Brooks
Redshirt Senior - Running Back
5-10 | 210 | Chandler, AZ (Chandler/Cal)
TW: @dlosbrooks /// IG: @dlosbeast
Played in all 12 games at Cal this past season, collecting 59 rushes for 250 yards and a touchdown...Rushed for 346 yards over the last two seasons off the bench for the Golden Bears...A consensus three-star prospect out of high school by all recruiting outlets, rated as the No. 38 running back nationally by Rivals and a Top-100 athlete in the country by 247Composite and ESPN…Tabbed as the No. 11 overall prospect in the state of Arizona and No. 16 prospect by 247Sports Composite rankings...Local product that combined for 3,863 rushing yards and 51 touchdowns in three prep campaigns while adding 34 catches for 454 yards and another four scores to total 4,317 all-purpose yards and 55 total touchdowns for a Chandler High School program that won three state and 6A Premier Football League crowns, as well as a pair of Geico Bowl Series games while combining for a 39-4 overall record and ending each campaign as Arizona's top-ranked team according to MaxPreps...Had a huge 2018 senior season when he was named Arizona's Offensive Player of the Year, first-team All-State and his team's MVP while also serving as a team captain after rushing for 2,229 yards and 34 touchdowns while adding another 25 catches for 366 yards and three scores to total 2,595 all-purpose yards and 37 touchdowns for a 13-1 squad that finished ranked No. 20 nationally according to MaxPreps and No. 15 in the media outlet's Xcellent 25 rank....Rushed for 1,352 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding eight receptions for 80 yards and one score to total 1,432 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns as a 2017 junior for a squad that finished ranked No. 26 nationally according to MaxPreps and was also No. 11 in the media outlet's Xcellent 25 rank...Contributed 282 yards rushing and made one catch for eight yards as a 2016 sophomore while also playing defense and contributing 42 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, one interception, eight passes deflected and one forced fumble for a 13-2 squad that finished ranked No. 12 nationally according to MaxPreps and was also No. 17 in the media outlet's Xcellent 25 rank.
Travion Brown
Graduate - Linebacker
6-3 | 230 | Moreno Valley, CA (Linfield Christian/Washington State)
TW: @tre_brown82 /// IG: @t.brown82
Recorded a career high 49 tackles in 2022 for Washington State, including 5.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks and appeared in 11 games... Among Pac-12 linebackers with at least 400 snaps played in 2022, Brown was the seventh-highest graded overall on defense... Credited with just three missed tackles in 2022, the fewest of any Pac-12 linebacker with at least 400 snaps played and tied for the fourth-fewest of any linebacker in the FBS...His redshirt sophomore season in 2021 saw him appear in 12 games, two as a starter… totaled 36 tackles with a forced fumble, fumble recovered and his first career interception…made five tackles and one interception in the Sun Bowl...During his freshman season in 2019, Brown was named to All-Pac-12 Conference Second Team as a special teams player…appeared in 13 games, started final five games at nickel…recorded 28 tackles with two for loss…tied for second on team with four special teams tackles, all on kickoff…in just 169 snaps played, produced 4th-best LB grade among all Pac-12 linebackers...Rated a four-star prospect by 247sports.com and three stars by ESPN.com and Rivals.com out of high school…rated No. 20 outside linebacker in the country and No. 57 overall prospect in California by 247sports.com...As a senior, named Ambassador League Defensive Player of the Year and to First Team as a wide receiver and linebacker…as a linebacker, made 122 tackles with 37 for loss including 11 sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal…as a receiver, caught 45 passes for 1,142 yards and 22 touchdowns…caught two touchdowns in CIF Division 12 Championship game…caught seven passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns in CIF 5A Regional Title game…As a junior, named to All-Ambassador League First Team as a wide receiver and Second Team on defense after making 95 tackles with 18 for loss including 5.5 sacks…as a receiver, caught 47 passes for 728 yards and nine touchdowns...As a sophomore, named to All-Ambassador League Second Team during his sophomore season after making 32 tackles, including seven for loss with 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery, caught five touchdown passes.
Josh Carlson
Graduate - Punter
6-0 | 185 | Gilbert, AZ (Gilbert/Utah Tech/New Mexico State)
TW: @_joshcarlson_ /// IG: @_joshcarlson_
Named a 2018 AFCA Division II First Team All-American at Dixie State in 2018 and to Phil Steele's Preseason All-Independent Second Team in 2022...Saw only 23.5 percent of his punts returned in 2022, the 27th-lowest tally among 97 FBS punters with at least 40 punts…The 29 yards on punt returns against Carlson were the seventh-fewest in the FBS among punters with at least 40 punts and the 2.4 yards per punt return average were the fourth-fewest in the FBS...Induced 30 fair catch balls, the sixth-highest tally in the FBS (min. 40 punts) while his average hang time of 3.93 was 23rd in the nation...Saw time in all 12 games throughout the 2021 season, where he punted 70 times for an average of 41.1 yards…Had a career-long punt of 67 yards on the road against San Diego State… Pinned 16 punts inside of the 20-yard line…Boomed nine punts that went 50 or more yards…Did not have a punt blocked all season...Averaged 44.7 yards per punt during the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season...During his true freshman season at Utah Tech, he averaged 45.7 yards per punt on 53 punts with 17 of 50 or more yards...Earned second-team All-Region honors as a senior at Gilbert High School.
Ben Coleman
Graduate - Offensive Line
6-4 | 323 | Temecula, CA (Linfield Christian/Cal)
TW: @benjiicoleman /// IG: @benjiicoleman
Played in 25 games at Cal with 22 starts (16 at left guard and nine at left tackle)...Started 11 of 12 games as a redshirt junior in 2022, including each of the first 10 and the season finale against UCLA with his first six starts at left tackle and his final five at left guard… Earned Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week for helping Cal's offense score seven touchdowns that were its most since also picking up seven against Texas on Sept. 17, 2016, while its 49 points scored were the most since a 49-7 victory at Oregon State on Oct. 20, 2018, its' 354 yards the most since rushing for a school-record 411 against Washington on Dec. 6, 2008, and its 599 yards of total offense the most since picking up 636 at Stanford on Nov. 20, 2021 ... helped Pac-12 Offensive Player and Freshman of the Week Jaydn Ott rush for 274 yards and three touchdowns with the 274 yards rushing the third-most in an FBS game through Week 8 of the 2022 season, the most by an FBS freshman since Maryland redshirt freshman Anthony McFarland had 298 against Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2018, and the most by an FBS true freshman since Texas' Chris Warren III had 276 against Texas Tech on Nov. 26, 2015
As a redshirt sophomore in 2021, earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention honors from the league's coaches as well as Cal's Bob Tessier Award for the team's Most Improved Lineman on the offensive side of the ball where he started 11 of 12 possible games all at left guard… Became the first Cal player to win Pac-12 Offensive Lineman of the Week honors since its' inception in 2019 for his performance in Cal's 41-11 win over Stanford in the 124th Big Game...Helped Cal roll up over 500 total yards of offense three times in 2021 (Big Game record 636 at Stanford, 534 vs. Sacramento State, 517 vs. Oregon State) and more than 200 yards rushing on four occasions (352 at Stanford, 255 vs. Oregon State, 246 vs. Sacramento State, 213 vs. Colorado)…Key member of an offense that broke a school record for least turnovers committed in a full season (10)...A consensus three-star prep prospect by all recruiting services where he was a classmate of fellow Sun Devil signee Travion Brown at Linfield Christian, where he was a two-way player on both the offensive and defensive lines…Rated as a Top-35 offensive guard nationally by 247Sports and a Top-80 overall player out of California by all major recruiting outlets while showing his versatility by also being a Top-60 defensive tackle prospect nationally by ESPN...Combined for 115 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 19 quarterback hurries, five passes deflected and one forced fumble over 15 games as a 2016 sophomore and 2017 junior...Missed his 2018 senior campaign due to injury when his squad posted a 13-2 overall record and won the Southern Section Division 12 title before falling in the SoCal Regional finals...Had a huge junior season with 79 tackles, 25.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 14 quarterback hurries, two passes deflected and one forced fumble that earned him several honors including USA Today and Cal-Hi All-State selections, All-Area recognition, and a first-team All-Ambassador League pick on both sides of the ball...Also an All-Area and first-team All-Ambassador selection on both sides of the ball as a sophomore when he contributed 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks (-10 yards), five quarterback hurries and three passes deflected for a squad that reached the first round of the Southern Section Division 7 playoffs...Served as a team captain during each of his last three seasons...His father, Ben, played in 135 NFL games with 104 starts during nine seasons in the league with Arizona, Jacksonville, San Diego and Washington after being drafted in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft with the No. 32 overall selection by the Arizona Cardinals.
Jacob Conover
Redshirt Sophomore - Quarterback
6-0 | 213 | Chandler, AZ (Chandler/BYU)
TW: @jacobconover17 /// IG: @jacob.conover
Appeared sparingly for BYU over the last three seasons after serving his LDS mission in Asuncion, Paraguay...In 2021, came in for an injured Baylor Romney and helped the Cougars to a 34-20 win at Utah State in first action of his collegiate career and went 5-of-9 for 45 yards passing...A consensus four-star prospect by all major recruiting services and an ESPN top 300 recruit and participated in the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition…Rated as the No. 10 Pro-Style quarterback in the country by 247Sports and No. 18 by Rivals...Led Chandler High School to three consecutive state 6A titles – becoming the first-ever Arizona prep quarterback to do so in the state's top conference - throwing for more than 10,000 yards in high school with 102 touchdowns...Averaged 259 passing yards per game as a varsity player, throwing for more than 3,000 yards in each of his three seasons and adding 560 rushing yards in career with eight scores on the ground...As a senior in 2018, went 223-for-327 and 3,306 yards and 38 touchdowns and led his Chandler squad to a 65-28 rout over Perry in the State 6A title game...Tossed 32 touchdowns to just two interceptions as a junior in 2017, averaging 307.7 pass yards per game over 10 games...Had a career-high 3,715 passing yards as a sophomore in 2016, throwing for 32 touchdowns to five interceptions and completing 69.8 percent of his passes...Competed in the sprints on the track team at Chandler HS.
Josiah Cox
Freshman - Defensive Back
6-2 | 180 | San Diego, CA (Lincoln)
TW: @JosiahLCox /// IG: @jos1ahc
Versatile prospect who can projects to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield at the next level…A unique combination of physicality, length, and speed made him a sought-after prospect on the California prep scene… One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices…Helped lead Lincoln to a 13-1 record during his senior season and a victory over De La Salle in the 2022 Division 1-AA State Championship…Enjoyed a breakout senior season in which he made 40 tackles, intercepted three passes, collected four tackles for loss while also catching two touchdowns…Provided a presence on the Lincoln defense, putting together an extremely productive varsity career…Credited with 72 total tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, four interceptions, and eight pass deflections in 22 games…Returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns, finishing with four total touchdowns in his career (two receiving)…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5 and put him in their Top-100 prospects out of California…247 Sports ranks him as the No. 49 safety prospect in the country and No. 46 overall prospect in California…Listed by ESPN as the No. 75 safety prospect in the nation and a Top-100 overall prospect in the state…On3 consensus metric rates him as the No. 109 safety prospect in the class and a Top-100 overall prospect in California…2022 San Diego Tribune Defensive Player of the Year and All-CIF selection.
Prince Dorbah
Graduate - Punter
6-2 | 229 | Dallas, TX (Highland Park/Texas)
TW: @prince_dorbah /// IG: @princedorbah
Appeared as a reserve linebacker for Texas over the last three seasons, playing five games in 2022 and recording seven tackles with a TFL…Also a two-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll (fall 2020, spring 2021)...A high school All-American, All-State and three-time All-District honoree who won two state championships with Highland Park and helped it to a 42-3 record over three seasons...Selected to participate in the 2020 All-American Bowl...A consensus four-star prospect that rated No. 190 on the ESPN300, No. 16 at outside linebacker and No. 30 overall in Texas by ESPN...No. 123 nationally, No. 10 at outside linebacker, and No. 18 overall in Texas according to 247Sports...Ranked No. 164 nationally, No. 12 at outside linebacker and No. 23 overall in Texas by Rivals...Listed at No. 17 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55...Ranked No. 6 in the SportsDay's Top 100 Recruits by the Dallas Morning News...Selected unanimous Defensive MVP and first-team All-District of district 6-5A Division 1 in 2019 as a senior…Part of a defense that allowed just 19.5 points per game, including a five-game stretch with three shutouts and two other games allowing just six points each…Helped Highland Park to an 11-2 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark and title, and an appearance in the 5A Division 1 regional playoffs in 2019...Named first-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football...Tabbed the Dallas area preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the Dallas Morning News...Chosen the 5A defensive player of the year by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2018 as a junior…Earned second-team 5A All-State honors from the Associated Press…Tabbed first-team All-District 6-5A Division 1…Recorded 86 tackles, including 16 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a junior as part of a defense that allowed just 12.6 points per game, including seven games of seven points or fewer and four shutouts… recorded four sacks and six tackles and was named defensive MVP of the state title game against Shadow Creek to cap off a perfect 16-0 season...Named the District 15-5A defensive newcomer of the year in 2017 ... recorded 84 tackles, 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a sophomore…Helped Highland Park to a perfect 15-1 overall record, including a 7-0 district mark and title, and the 5A Division 1 state title in 2017...Originally from the Ivory Coast and came to the United States at age 3...also played basketball in high school.
Leif Fautanu
Redshirt Junior - Offensive Line
6-2 | 305 | Honolulu, HI (University Laboratory/UNLV)
TW: @FautanuLeif /// IG: @lj.fauntanu
Honorable mention All-Mountain West selection in 2022, anchoring an offensive line that produced a 1,000-yard rusher for the second consecutive season…Was the fifth-highest graded center in the MWC by PFF this season as a pass blocker and was not credited with a sack allowed on the season – one of just 21 FBS centers with at least 400 pass blocking snaps to lay such a claim and showing a marked improvement in the category after allowing six in 2021...A preseason 2022 Rimington Trophy and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year candidate … Named 2022 Preseason Second Team All-Mountain West by Athlon...Started all 12 games at center in 2021 and anchored a line that produced 1,261-yard rusher Charles Williams, who also had 15 rushing touchdowns … Earned the UNLV Football Offensive Captain Award, which is given to the team's overall captains selected at the end of the season … A member of the official watch list for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award...Started four games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season after redshirting his true freshman 2019 campaign...A 2019 graduate of University Laboratory School…A three-year letterwinner...Also played at defensive tackle, was a long snapper and had served a stint as the team's punter…Selected to play in the 2019 Polynesian Bowl…Two-sport athlete who was also a four-year letterwinner on the Junior Bows' basketball team as a center...Comes from an athletic family: Uncle Ed Ripley played nose guard at the University of Hawai'i…Uncle Joe Onosai was a center for the Dallas Cowboys…Father, Leif, played on the U.S. Army men's volleyball team…Mother, Roselyn, was a member of the volleyball team at Hawaii.
C.J. Fite
Freshman - Defensive Line
6-1 | 282 | Tatum, TX (Tatum)
TW: @FiteCullen /// IG: @cullenjordan058
Disruptive interior force extremely adept at using his leverage to win at the point of attack…Also a member of the track & field team, competing in throwing events…Two-way player at Tatum High School, playing along the offensive line in addition to his defensive duties…Could not be contained during his varsity career… Part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…Combined to make 94 total tackles, an astounding 23 tackles for loss, and eight sacks over 21 games during his sophomore and junior seasons…Added an interception, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and four hurries…One of the first commits of the class that reaffirmed his pledge to the new coaching staff… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5…Evaluated as the No. 141 defensive line prospect in the nation and No. 220 overall prospect in Texas by 247 Sports composite rankings…On3 consensus rankings list him as the No. 141 defensive line prospect in the class and No. 230 player in Texas…ESPN rated him as the No. 81 defensive tackle prospect in the country and just outside the Top-200 as an overall prospect in the state… 2021 Texas District 6-3A D-I Defensive MVP as a junior…2020 Texas District 6-3A D-I first-team selection as a sophomore… One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices.
Aaron Frost
Graduate - Offensive Line
6-5 | 306 | Long Beach, CA (Long Beach Poly/Nevada)
TW: @AaronFrost65 /// IG: @aaronfrosty57
Graduate transfer who was named an All-Mountain West Second Team second team selection in 2020 and 2021 before missing the 2022 campaign with a injury sustained in the preseason after being named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list...Appeared in all 13 games in 2021 and helped pave the way for the Nevada passing attack to post the sixth-best passing offense in the country... Nevada finished 8th in the nation in red zone offense (0.922) as well as the 17th ranked scoring offense in FBS (35.7 ppg)…Played the seventh-most pass protection snaps of any tackle in the country that season (642), allowing just four sacks…Posted the MWC's third-best score as a run blocker among tackles (84.7, min. 200 run blocking snaps) – good for 22nd among all FBS tackles...Saw action on the line in all nine games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season...Part of a group which held the line for a Pack offense that averaged 30.8 points per game, third in the Mountain West and 46th nationally…Provided ample protection for quarterback and Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Carson Strong…Rated as the sixth-best tackle in the MWC overall (73.8) and played more snaps (636) than any other tackle in the league and fourth of any player overall in the conference…Was the league's fourth-highest graded player regardless of position on run blocking for the season (82.3, min. 200 run blocking snaps) – and 32nd among all FBS tackles...Played and started in all 13 games in 2019 and played in seven games as a true freshman in 2018, contributing to an offensive line that ranked 14th in the FBS in the regular season, only allowing 1.17 sacks per game...Prepped at Long Beach Poly in California where he stood out along both the offensive and defensive lines and garnered a three-star rating from 247Sports as the latter after recording 27 tackles as a senior.
Xavier Guillory
Redshirt Junior - Wide Receiver
6-2 | 195 | Spokane, WA (Idaho State)
TW: @GuilloryXavier
Erupted as one of the top receivers in the FCS with 52 catches for 785 yards in 2022, adding four touchdown receptions, earning Big Sky All-Conference recognition in the process...His 78.5 receiving yards per game in 2022 were 29th among all FCS receivers where he was the 10th-highest graded receiver in the Big Sky Conference...His 34.6 target share percentage was second among Big Sky receivers and 23rd among all FCS receivers,,,His 361 yards after the catch were fourth in the Big Sky and his 116 yards after the contact in 2022 were sixth...Appeared in nine games in the Fall 2021 season, recording 20 receptions for 259 yards and one touchdown... Appeared in six games in the COVID-19 shorted Spring 2021 season with 18 receptions for 324 yards,,,Had 45 catches for 725 yards and 11 touchdowns and Lewis and Clark High School, adding made 50 tackles and had six interceptions… first-team all-league at wide receiver...A three-star prospect by 247 sports.
Korbin Hendrix
Freshman - Wide Receiver
6-3 | 180 | McKinney, TX (McKinney North)
TW: @hendrixkorbin /// IG: korbinleehendrix
Prolific pass catcher with a massive upside…Utilizes his frame well to make contested catches and create clean releases off the line of scrimmage…Willing blocker in the run game, with his game rounding out as he continues to add weight… Multi-sport standout that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…Played in one of the toughest regions in the entire nation…A member of the McKinney baseball and track team… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.6…Tabbed by 247 Sports as the No. 83 wide receiver prospect in the nation and No. 85 overall prospect in Texas…On3 Sports rated him as the No. 71 wide receiver prospect in the class and No. 93 overall prospect in the state… Slotted as the No. 62 wide receiver prospect in the country and No. 79 overall prospect in Texas by ESPN…Accounted for 22 catches, 452 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in the six games where stats were available on MaxPreps…2022 First Team 7-5A All-District selection. Prolific pass catcher with a massive upside…Utilizes his frame well to make contested catches and create clean releases off the line of scrimmage…Willing blocker in the run game, with his game rounding out as he continues to add weight… Multi-sport standout that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…Played in one of the toughest regions in the entire nation…A member of the McKinney baseball and track team… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.6…Tabbed by 247 Sports as the No. 79 wide receiver prospect in the nation and No. 81 overall prospect in Texas…On3 Sports rated him as the No. 55 wide receiver prospect in the class and No. 72 overall prospect in the state…Slotted as the No. 61 wide receiver prospect in the country and No. 83 overall prospect in Texas by ESPN…Accounted for 22 catches, 452 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in the six games where stats were available on MaxPreps…2022 First Team 7-5A All-District selection.
Max Iheanachor
Junior - Offensive Line
6-5 | 319 | Long Beach, CA (King Drew Medical/East Los Angeles College)
TW: @maxissnicee71 /// IG: @maxissnicee
Massive offensive line prospect who comes to Arizona State from the junior college level…Spent the last two seasons developing his body at East Los Angeles College, where he played both tackle positions…One of the most widely-pursued junior college offensive tackle prospects who is projected to make an impact right away…Physically-imposing in the trenches, using his added strength and bulk to carve out running lanes and stifle the pass rush…Four-star prospect according to On3 Sports, which tabs him as the No. 16 overall JUCO prospect and No. 6 offensive tackle prospect from the JUCO level…247 Sports lists him as a Top-10 junior college prospect regardless of position and the No. 3 offensive tackle in the class…Rivals ranked him as the No. 64 overall JUCO prospect and gave him a 5.5 rating…One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices… Has three years of eligibility remaining.
Krew Jackson
Redshirt Sophomore - Linebacker
6-5 | 204 | Queen Creek, AZ (Queen Creek/Kansas State)
TW: @krewjack /// IG: @Krewjax3
Played as a reserve linebacker at Kansas State the past two seasons, recording his first career interception in 2022 after appearing in 11 games…Added three tackles – one for loss – on the season...Local prep prospect that played at Queen Creek...Viewed as the 68th-best safety in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports, while Rivals rated him the 14th-best prospect in the state of Arizona…A consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets...Totaled 138 tackles, a pair of interceptions and three passes defended over the final two years of his prep career...Earned academic all-state honors as a senior.
Sirri Kandiyeli
Freshman - Offensive Line
6-3 | 265 | Mesa, AZ (Mountain View)
TW: @SKandiyeli /// IG: sikandiyeli
Sturdy interior offensive line prospect part of the local pipeline that new Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham has established… Prepped at Mountain View High School in Mesa, where he was a three-year member of the varsity squad…Has the versatility to play multiple interior positions along the offensive line…Powerful athlete who utilizes his lower body and base to create movement up front…Part of an offensive line that led Mountain View to an 8-3 record at the highest level (6A) in Arizona, with the offense averaging over 28 points per game…247 Sports rated him as the No. 28 overall prospect in Arizona and No. 134 interior offensive line prospect in the class…On3 Consensus metric has him as the No. 28 prospect in the state and No. 168 interior offensive line prospect…Ranked as the No. 15 center prospect in the nation by ESPN, who also has him as the No. 22 overall prospect in Arizona…Received a 5.4 rating from Rivals… Sports360AZ 6A All-Academic Football Team selection.
Lenox Lawson
Freshman - Defensive Back
5-10 | 172 | Mesa, AZ (Red Mountain)
TW: @lenoxlawson3 /// IG: @lenox._.lawson
Superb playmaker with elite track speed that is part of the local pipeline that new Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham has established …One of the top offensive threats in the state of Arizona who put together an extremely productive career…Played running back, but equally as comfortable catching the ball out of the backfield or returning kicks…Member of the varsity team dating back to his freshman year…Also competes for the track & field team…Compiled 4,134 all-purpose yards in 34 career games at the varsity level… Finished with 2,129 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 275 carries, going over 100 yards eight different times…Averaged over 7.7 yards per rush in his career…Added 110 catches for 1,189 yards and ten touchdowns as a receiver…Scored a total of 29 touchdowns for Red Mountain…Emerged as one of the top players in the state as a senior, rushing for 1,292 yards and ten touchdowns on 170 carries in 11 games…He also had 42 receptions for 497 yards and three touchdowns through the air…Enjoyed a breakout junior campaign in which he helped Red Mountain to the 6A State Semifinals…Ran for 819 yards and nine touchdowns on 99 carries while adding 55 catches for 577 yards and six touchdowns as a receiver… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5…247 Sports has him slotted as the No. 27 overall prospect in Arizona and the No. 264 wide receiver prospect nationally…Tabbed by ESPN as the No. 85 running back prospect in the class and No. 19 overall prospect in the state…Listed as the No. 25 overall prospect in Arizona and No. 119 running back prospect in the country by On3…Will make the switch to defense at the collegiate level, with his athleticism and speed making him an intriguing defensive back prospect.
Dario Longhetto
Graduate - Kicker
6-0 | 185 | Newbury Park, CA (Newbury Park/Cal)
TW: @DarioLonghetto
Played in 31 games over the last four-plus seasons at Cal, seeing action primarily as a placekicker but also kicking off on a part-time basis and getting into games as a punter...Cal's career leader in scoring with 137 points (24-34 FG, 65-67 PAT)...Also kicked off 76 times for 4605 yards (60.6 avg) with 32 touchbacks while punting on 18 occasions for 736 yards (40.9 avg) all as a 2019 freshman and forcing opponents into three fair catches, trapping them inside their 20-yardline on four occasions and hitting three punts of 50 yards or longer...Recorded his career bests as a placekicker other than average yards per kickoff as a 2021 junior when he played in 11 games and scored a team-high 64 points on 11-of-14 field goals (79%) and 31-of-31 extra points (100%), while he kicked off 55 times for 3285 yards with 19 touchbacks...Averaged a career-high 63.5 yards per kickoff as a 2022 senior with 826 yards on 13 kickoffs...A nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2022 that goes annually to the nation's top FBS player that began his collegiate career as a walk-on and was a Preseason Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 selection.
Dashaun Mallory
Graduate - Defensive Line
6-2 | 280 | Bolingbrook, IL (Bolingbrook/Michigan State)
TW: @DashaunMallory /// IG: @dashaun_mallory
Three-year letterwinner played in 30 career games for the Spartans, including four career starts (two at defensive tackle in 2020; two at defensive end in 2022) . . . tallied 44 career tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss (15 yards) and 2.5 sacks (11 yards), along with two fumble recoveries and one pass break-up...Played in eight games in 2022 with two starts, shifting from tackle to end…Recorded 252 snaps and 16 tackles...Was the eighth-highest graded edge defender in the Big Ten on run defense over the course of the season (74.0), according to PFF...Played in all 13 games in 2021, registering 12 tackles with 0.5 TFL, while logging 265 overall snaps ...Ranked as one of the top defensive tackles in the nation by Rivals.com (No. 44) and 247Sports (No. 59) . . . listed as one of the top overall players in the state of Illinois by 247Sports (No. 12) and Rivals.com (No. 12) . . . named one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the state of Illinois by 247Sports (No. 2) and Rivals.com (No. 3)...Helped the Raiders to the Class 8A state playoffs in 2017 . . . named to the 2017 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State Team . . . recorded 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss during his senior season . . . also forced six fumbles and scored two touchdowns.
Tristan Monday
Redshirt Sophomore - Defensive Line
6-4 | 276 | Scottsdale, AZ (Saguaro/Wisconsin)
TW: @monday_tristan /// IG: @9t_monday9
Did not see game action as a true freshman at Wisconsin but earned the praise of assistant coach Ross Kolodziej during his first fall camp...A consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting services...Tallied 174 total tackles and an absurd 79 tackles for loss during his three-year prep career at Saguaro, logging 26 sacks in the process...Led Saguaro to its first-ever Open Division State title in 2021 in a senior season where he logged 76 tackles with 35 of those coming for a loss and 10.5 sacks...Recorded three tackles and a TFL in the championship game over Chandler, unseating a Wolves program that had won five-straight state titles at the highest level of Arizona prep football...Earned All-State honors from the Arizona Republic for his efforts.
Sean Na'a
Freshman - Offensive Line
6-4 | 275 | Inglewood, CA (St. John Bosco)
TW: @SeanNaa3 /// IG: @thtkidsean
Powerful offensive line prospect with the versatility to play multiple positions along the offensive line…Started in the trenches for St. John Bosco in California, one of the top prep schools in the nation…Displayed advanced physicality and plays with an edge necessary for the position…Utilized his long arms and strong lower body to initiate contact and drive defenders off the ball…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…247 Sports ranked him as the No. 81 interior offensive line prospect in the country and a Top-120 overall prospect in California…Rivals gave him a rating of 5.5 and tabbed him as a Top-100 overall propsect in California (No. 90)…Listed by ESPN as the No. 68 offensive guard prospect in the class and a Top-100 overall prospect in the state (No. 95)…The No. 140 overall interior offensive line prospect in the country and at Top-150 overall prospect in California according to On3 Sports consensus rankings…Earned Max Preps Second Team All-American honors after a dominant senior year…St. John Bosco went 13-1 and finished ranked No. 1 in the nation in the last Max Preps poll of 2022…Helped lead the Braves to the CIF State Football Open Division Championship, where they defeated Serra 45-0…Behind Na'a and the offensive line, St. John Bosco ran for 2,668 yards and 35 touchdowns in 14 games…Braves averaged 8.2 yards per carry with Na'a and company paving the way…2022 SBLive California High School Football All-State Team selection…Saw time on the defensive side of the ball as a junior, helping him improve his technique and football IQ on the offensive side.
Troy Omeire
Redshirt Junior - Wide Reciever
6-3 | 213 | Sugar Land, TX (Fort Bend Austin/Texas)
TW: @troyomeire /// IG: @troyomeire
Played in four games for Texas last season in his first collegiate action after missing his first two seasons to injury...A three-time all-district honoree and offensive MVP ... ranked No. 176 nationally, No. 33 at wide receiver and No. 25 overall in Texas by Rivals ... rated No. 181 on the ESPN300, No. 27 at wide receiver and No. 28 overall in Texas by ESPN ... No. 557 nationally, No. 97 at wide receiver, and No. 72 overall in Texas according to 247Sports...Listed at No. 48 on the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 ... ranked No. 4 in the Houston Top 100 by the Houston Chronicle ... chosen district Offensive MVP and earned first-team All-District 20-6A honors in 2019 ... recorded 65 catches for 906 yards (13.9 ypr) and 10 touchdowns, while rushing 57 times for 364 yards (6.4 ypc) and five touchdowns as a senior ... also completed six passes for 38 yards to tally 1,308 total yards for the season ... posted four consecutive 100-yard receiving games...Named second-team 2019 Super Team and to the Texas Top 300 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football ... named to the Touchdown Club of Houston's 2019 UIL High School Preseason Team...Tabbed first-team All-District 20-6A in 2018 ... registered 46 catches for 782 yards (17.0 ypr) and 13 touchdowns as a junior ... posted four 100-yard receiving games...Chosen first-team All-District 20-6A in 2017 ... totaled 38 receptions for 744 yards (19.6 ypr) and eight touchdowns as a sophomore ... posted four consecutive 100-yard receiving games to end the season.
Elijah O'Neal
Junior - Defensive Line
6-4 | 245 | Renton, WA (Hazen/Butte College)
TW: @ElijahONeal58 /// IG: _bige9
Dominant junior college defensive lineman who projects to be able to play immediately at the next level…Prolific pass rusher with a variety of moves and relentless motor…His combination of size and speed is tough for opposing lineman to handle…Has the strength and agility to shed blocks and be a factor in the run game…Already physically developed and ready for the college game...Two-year standout at Butte College, where he was extremely productive as an edge rusher…Finished his 11-game career with 86 total tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 16 sacks and three forced fumbles...Played in 11 games a season ago for the Roadrunners and was named a JUCO All-American as a utility player and was an All-CCCAA North Region Selection…He finished 2022 second in the state with 14.5 sacks and sack yards (104), while tallying a total of 66 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and two forced fumble…O'Neal had four games with two or more sacks, including a five-sack effort against San Francisco City College...In his debut season as a freshman, he had 20 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble returned for a touchdown...One of the top rated junior college prospect in the nation…247 Sports composite metric has him as the No. 7 edge rusher and No. 65 overall prospect at the junior college level…Rivals gave him a 5.5 rating and a spot in their JUCO Top-100, coming in at No 62…Listed as the No. 6 JUCO defensive end prospect in the country by ESPN…No. 22 overall prospect in On3 Sports JUCO rankings, slotted as the No. 4 linebacker prospect in the class.
Drew Pyne
Redshirt Junior - Quarterback
6-0 | 194 | New Canaan, CT (New Canaan/Notre Dame)
TW: @dpyne10 /// IG: @drewpyne
Played sparingly his first two seasons at Notre Dame before assuming the role of starter in 2022...Starting 10 games at Notre Dame in 2022, leading it to an 8-2 record in those games and finishing No. 20 nationally in individual quarterback efficiency in the regular season….Completed 22 touchdown passes and 64.6% of his passes overall… His 8-2 record included a 4-1 record against top 25 teams...Had three touchdown passes at North Carolina were the most by a Notre Dame quarterback in their first road start since 1994… Responsible for five touchdowns against Navy, including four first half passing TDs… Completed his first 15 passes of against USC, en route to going 23-for-26…The .884 completion percentage is second in a single game in program history, trailing just Steve Buerlein's .909 (10-for-11) in 1984…Was a perfect-8-for-8 in the first half…Set a new career record with 318 yards passing, his first 300-yard passing game of his career...A four-star prep recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.com…No. 118 overall player nationally, No. 7 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 1 player from Connecticut by Rivals…No. 193 overall player nationally, No. 7 pro-style quarterback nationally and No. 1 player from Connecticut by 247Sports.com…No. 166 overall player nationally, No. 26 overall player regionally, No. 9 pocket-passer quarterback nationally and No. 2 player from Connecticut by ESPN.com (83 Scout Grade)... In 2019, completed 161 of 252 passes for 2,107 yards and 24 touchdowns with just seven interceptions…Also ran 57 times for 259 yards and eight touchdowns...Ended his career as New Canaan's career leader in passing yards and touchdowns, throwing his 100th career touchdown pass on Nov. 15, 2019...Two-time Connecticut state champion, as well as New England Regional Champion...Named an Under Armour All-American...SBLive California High School Football All-State Team selection…Saw time on the defensive side of the ball as a junior, helping him improve his technique and football IQ on the offensive side.
Jaden Rashada
Freshman - Quarterback
6-4 | 185 | Pittsburg, CA (Pittsburgh)
TW: @jadenrashada /// IG: @jadenrashada
The crown jewel of Head Coach Kenny Dillingham's first signing class in Tempe… Represents arguably the most significant and impactful signing in program history…Elite quarterback prospect who had the option to go anywhere in the country…Special arm talent with the ability to make any throw…A tall frame and impressive arm strength allow him to push the ball down the field…Continued improving his accuracy throughout his high school career, developing into one of the best all-around quarterbacks in the class… Dynamic with the ball in his hands, wreaking havoc on opposing defenses with his ability to run and pass…Displays extreme poise and the ability to make quick decisions in the face of pressure, making defenses pay for blitzing…Member of the 2022 Elite 11 Quarterback class, which recognizes the nation's top senior quarterbacks…Selected to the Under Armour All-American Game, with only the nation's elite prospect receiving an invite…Consensus four-star prospect among the major recruiting services…The highest ranked recruit to sign with Arizona State since the 2020 class and is a Top-5 rated prospect of all-time to become a Sun Devil…Listed as the No. 31 overall prospect in the ESPN 300, the third-highest of any Sun Devil signee since the service began in 2006 (behind Vontaze Burfict, N'Keal Harry)…ESPN also lists him as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the nation and No. 3 overall prospect in the loaded state of California…247 Sports ranked him as the No. 44 overall prospect in the country, No. 6 quarterback prospect in the nation, and No. 4 overall prospect in California…Tabbed as the No. 73 overall prospect, the No. 6 quarterback prospect in the nation, and the No. 6 overall prospect by On 3 Sports consensus metric…Received a 5.9 rating from Rivals, who tabbed him as the No. 10 quarterback prospect and No. 163 overall prospect nationally as well as the No. 13 overall prospect in the state…Started his final two years under center, producing spectacular numbers…Finished his career having completed 402-of-672 (60%) of his passes for 5,816 yards and 80 touchdowns…Added 592 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground…Accounted for 39 total touchdowns during a brilliant senior campaign…Went 211-for-338 throwing for 3,055 yards and 32 touchdowns in 14 games as a senior…Ran for 419 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022…Enjoyed a breakout junior season in which he completed 146-of-246 passes for 2,220 yards and 27 touchdowns in his first year as a starter…Member of the varsity squad since his freshman year, seeing playing time each season… Plays baseball and football at Pittsburg High School…Son of former Sun Devil Football defensive back Harlen Rashada (1992-94).
Tate Romney
Redshirt Freshman - Linebacker
6-3 | 220 | Chandler, AZ (Chandler/BYU)
TW: @tatekromney /// IG: @tkromney
Appeared in three games but didn't record a stat in his true freshman season at BYU after serving his LDS mission between Bahia Blanca, Argentina and San Antonio, Texas...In three years at Chandler High School, he notched 272 tackles, 34 tackles for loss and 15 sacks...Named the 2019 Arizona 6A Varsity Linebacker of the Year after he recorded 115 tackles and 13.0 tackles for loss...Helped pace the Chandler defense en route to three-straight AIA State Championships at the highest level of prep ball in Arizona..Rated a consensus three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets...Brothers Gunner and Baylor also played football at BYU.
Shawn Russ
Freshman - Defensive Back
6-3 | 185 | Fort Myers, FL (Dunbar)
TW: @ShawnRussJr1 /// IG: believein5_
Highly-touted defensive back prospect from a recruiting hotbed in Florida…Supreme athlete with elite physical tools…Ball-hawking defensive back that can cover a tremendous amount of ground…A unique combination of size and speed make him a dangerous force at the next level projecting to play multiple position in the defensive backfield…Two-way standout at Dunbar High who headlined a defense that helped the Tigers go 37-7 during his four-year varsity career…Compiled 196 total tackles, 11 interceptions, 16 pass deflections and six tackles for loss in his career…Recently completed a terrific season in which he finished with 91 tackles, six tackles for loss, four pass deflections, and a fumble recovery…Made 32 tackles and picked off three passes as a junior in leading Dunbar to a 6A District Title…Credited with 41 tackles and three interceptions as a sophomore…Introduced himself to the prep scene after intercepting five passes in ten games as a freshman on varsity…Was named a Freshman High School All-American because of his efforts… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals rates him as the No. 62 cornerback prospect nationally and No. 90 overall prospect in Florida… Tabbed as the No. 71 safety prospect and No. 864 overall prospect in the class by 247 Sports composite metric…Ranked as the No. 68 safety prospect in the country and No. 729 overall prospect according to the On3 Sports metric…ESPN lists him as the No. 61 cornerback prospect in the class and No. 108 overall prospect in Florida...Rotary South All-Star Game participant.
Kyle Scott
Junior - Offensive Line
6-5 | 305 | Lake Elsinore, CA (Temescal Canyon/Riverside CC)
TW: @kscott57
Physically-imposing prospect who has emerged as one of the premier offensive tackles at the junior college level…Versatile athlete with the ability to play multiple positions along the offensive line…Played for Riverside Community College, who went 12-1 and appeared in the 2022 CCCAA Football State Championship Game…Behind Scott and the offensive line, Riverside averaged 562.7 yards of offense per game, including 196.9 on the ground…The Tigers averaged 40.5 points and the offensive line allowed only seven sacks all season…Thanks to his efforts, Scott was a SCFA All-CCCAA Central Division First Team selection…Tabbed as a three-star prospect by Rivals, who gave him a 5.5 rating...Listed as the No. 40 overall junior college prospect and No. 14 offensive tackle prospect in the class by 247 Sports...On3 ranked him as the No. 32 overall junior college prospect and No. 8 offensive tackle prospect in the nation.
Shamari Simmons
Graduate /// Defensive Back
6-0 /// 180 /// Ashland, AL (Clay Central/Hutchinson CC/Austin Peay)
TW: @ShamariKeshaun /// IG: @hood_hero_8
Named a 2022 All-ASUN Conference Selection, recording 63 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, three interceptions and four pass breakups and recorded double digit tackles in each of the team's final three games – including a career-best 12 against Alabama with two breakups...Ranked in the Top-40 among all FCS safeties in 2022 with a coverage grade of 78.5...Played in all 11 games, starting nine games in 2021… Had two tackles and two pass breakups in his Austin Peay debut against Chattanooga (Sept. 2)… Broke onto the scene on the season's biggest stage with a career-high 11 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup at Ole Miss (Sept. 11) ...Earned one OVC Player of the Week accolade and led the league 10 pass breakups while adding four interceptions…Ranked fourth on the team with 50 total tackles...Redshirted as a freshman in 2019 at Hutchinson Community College – which was also attended by Sun Devil corner Ro Torrence...Totaled 20 tackles in four appearances during the Blue Dragons' 2020- 21 NJCAA National Championship season… Posted three tackles in NJCCA National Championship game against Snow College.
Cameron Skattebo
Junior - Running Back
5-10 | 224 | Rio Linda, CA (Rio Linda/Sacramento State)
TW: @camskattebo5 /// IG: 4_reasonzz_
Named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022 after rushing for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns to help the Hornets go 11-0 in the regular season and becoming the No. 2-ranked FCS team in the nation…Added 31 catches for 371 yards and three touchdowns...His 1,382 yards were seventh in the FCS and he was the fifth-highest graded running back in the FCS this season (93.0)…Recorded a first down or touchdown on 40.3 percent of his touches – the highest tally in the FCS… Was stuffed at or behind the line of scrimmage just 5.1 percent of the time – the 16th-lowest tally in the FCS...Named a Third Team All-Big Sky selection at running back in 2021, amassing 520 yards on 57 carries with six touchdowns for an outstanding 9.12 yards per carry...A 2020 graduate of Rio Linda HS where he was one of the most accomplished running backs in Sac-Joaquin Section history, finishing his career with 6,192 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns… Rio Linda went 29-8 in his three seasons...Named first team all-league three times and was named the Sacramento Bee Offensive Player of the Year, the Foothill Valley League MVP and all-state as a junior...As a senior, he totaled 1,650 rushing yards and scored 18 touchdowns while also throwing for 245 yards and a score…Had nine games with at least 100 rushing yards and scored multiple TDs six times…Biggest game came against Foothill HS where he had 287 rushing yards on 22 carries… Scored four touchdowns against Oakmont HS for his season high...During his junior year, he rushed for 3,550 yards and 42 touchdowns and guided the Knights to the CIF 5-A state title…Amassed over 100 yards in 14 of the team's 15 games and averaged 11.6 yards per rush…Had 10 games with 200 rushing yards, including three with 300 yards….Ended his season with 393 rushing yards and three touchdowns against San Gorgonio HS in the state title game…Scored five rushing touchdowns against Pioneer HS, Pacheco HS and Casa Roble HS and had multiple scores in 12 games...As a sophomore, he had 992 rushing yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Clayton Smith
Redshirt Sophomore /// Defensive Line
6-4 /// 245 /// Queen City, TX (Texas High/Oklahoma)
TW: @claytonsmith_10 /// IG: @claytonsmith_10
Appeared in four games as a redshirt freshman in 2022 with five tackles and 1.0 TFL…Played in four games and totaled three tackles as a true freshman in 2021 with a 0.5 tackle for loss and a fumble recovery...A five-star recruit by Rivals and a four-star prospect by 247Sports and ESPN ... a consensus top-100 national recruit ... rated as the nation's No. 23 overall player by Rivals, No. 49 by 247Sports and No. 84 by ESPN ... regarded by 247Sports as the country's No. 3 weakside defensive end ... ranked as the No. 2 outside linebacker by Rivals and No. 9 by ESPN ... the No. 5 player in Texas by Rivals, No. 6 by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN ... touted as the No. 10 Texas prospect in the class of 2021 by Dave Campbell's Texas Football...A 2021 All-American Bowl invitee ... a 2020 MaxPreps first-team all-state honoree as a linebacker...Logged 53 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and 29 quarterback hurries as a senior in 2020 for 11-1 Tigers (advanced to second round of 5A D-II Playoffs) ... also recorded 13 catches for 184 yards and six touchdowns (and one rushing TD) as a senior...A first-team all-district selection at defensive end as a junior in 2019 when he compiled 94 tackles, 20 sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries ... caught 10 passes for 237 yards and six TDs his junior season...Registered 57 tackles, two sacks and a pair of forced fumbles as a sophomore in 2018 ... a three-sport athlete who also competed in basketball and in the high jump for the track and field team.
Jake Smith
Redshirt Junior /// Wide Receiver
6-0 /// 200 /// Scottsdale, AZ. (Notre Dame Prep/Texas/USC)
TW: @jakesmith27 /// IG: @jakesmith35
Transferred to USC after 2020 but didn't appear in a game following an early foot injury upon arrival...Appeared in seven games in the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season at Texas, making six starts and catching 23 passes for 294 yards and three touchdowns...Played in all 13 games as a true freshman at Texas in 2019, recording 25 catches for 274 yards with six touchdowns...He was the 2018 National Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior running back and wide receiver at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale (Ariz.)...He also was named 2018 Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, USA Today All-USA second team, USA Today All-Arizona first team, Ed Doherty Award finalist, 5A Northeast Valley Region Player of the Year and All-Region first team...As a senior, he had 2,349 all-purpose yards, including 1,070 receiving (on 58 catches), 741 rushing (on 100 carries), 420 returning kicks, 118 returning punts, and 39 TDs, plus he had 20 tackles with 4.5 sacks, and punted 25 times for a 40.3 average...Notre Dame Prep advanced to the 2018 state 5A championship game...As a 2017 junior, he made USA Today All-Arizona first team, 5A All-Conference first team and 5A Northeast Valley Region Offensive Player of the Year. As a junior, he had 2,538 all-purpose yards, including 1,135 rushing (on 118 carries), 1,055 receiving (on 33 catches), 193 returning kicks and 155 returning punt, and 28 touchdowns. Notre Dame Prep advanced to the 2017 state 5A championship game. He made 2016 All-5A Northeast Valley Region second team as a sophomore when he ran for 397 yards and had 68 receiving yards while scoring 5 total TDs. He also played baseball and lacrosse at Notre Dame Prep...As a four-star recruit on the 247Sports Composite, Smith ranked as the No. 49 overall player, No. 2 Arizona recruit, and No. 8 wide receiver in the 2019 class… Rated as the No. 48 overall prospect in the nation by Rivals and No. 2 overall recruit in the state…Tabbed a four-star prospect by ESPN and the No. 10 wide receiver prospect in the nation while coming in at No. 76 on the ESPN300 list.
Melquan Stovall
Graduate /// Wide Receiver
5-9 /// 185 /// Lancaster, CA (Junipero Serra/Nevada/Colorado State)
TW: @Melquan_1 /// IG: @Stovallmelquan
Had 13 catches for 106 yards in three games at Colorado State in 2022...Finished his junior season with 56 catches for 643 yards and one touchdown …Had a long reception of 65 yards as he averaged 11.48 yards per catch…Had 108 catches for 1,064 yards and one score in three years with Nevada… Earned the Hustle Award for offense at the team awards banquet on Dec. 5...Graduated from Junipero Serra High School in southern California…Three-year starter in high school…Helped Paraclete High School to a pair of division championships before moving on to Junipero Serra...Has an older brother, Melquise, who played for Hawaii and Pitt (2016-21).
Landen Thomas
Freshman /// Defensive Line
6-3 /// 260 /// Zachary, LA (Zachary)
TW: @LandenThomas22 /// IG: @im.lando_
Aggressive and tough defensive line prospect with the ability to rush the passer from the interior…Continues to grow physically, allowing him to play anywhere along the defensive line…Quick first step and a strong burst off the snap…Teamed up with fellow Class of 2023 signee Ashley Williams to form one of the best defensive lines in the state…Zachary finished the 2022 season as the No. 8 ranked team in the state of Louisiana and made the 2022 LHSAA Division I Non-Select Football Final Four…Rivals gave him a 5.5 rating as a three-star prospect…ESPN also lists him as a three-star prospect and the No. 61 overall prospect in the state of Louisiana… The On3 consensus metric ranks him as the No. 63 overall prospect in Louisiana...Tabbed as the No. 172 defensive line prospect in the nation and No. 55 overall prospect in Louisiana by 247 Sports.
K'Vion Thunderbird
Freshman /// Linebacker
6-1 /// 215 /// Chicago, IL (Kenwood Academy)
TW: @KvionTbird05 /// IG: @d1v0nno._
Lightning quick linebacker prospect with unique physical tools for a linebacker…Extremely light on his feet which allows him to fly around the field to make plays on the ball…Productive and consistent tackler, improving upon his technique each year at the prep level…Moves well in space with the ability to cover as well as stop the run…The size and speed combination make him a tough matchup as a blitzer going against opposing offensive lineman…Continues to build his physique, developing into one of the prospect in this class that is most ready to play at the collegiate level…Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…247 Sports tabbed him as a Top-1000 overall prospect, slotting at No. 73 among linebackers and No. 20 among overall prospects in Illinois…Listed as the No. 64 linebacker prospect in the country and No. 11 overall prospect in Illinois…Rivals gave him a 5.6 rating and ranked him in the Top-20 of overall prospects in the state…Rated by ESPN as the No. 40 inside linebacker prospect in the class and No. 23 overall prospect in the state…Compiled 237 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries in a decorated two-year varsity career…Responsible for two defensive touchdowns… Illinois 6A Football All-State selection after a dominant final season…Completed his senior year with 109 tackles, six tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles…Became one of the top up-and-coming prospect after a breakout junior year, collecting 126 tackles, nine tackles for loss, six sacks, three interceptions, and two pass deflections.
Bram Walden
Redshirt Sophomore /// Offensive Line
6-5 /// 302 /// Scottsdale, AZ (Saguaro/Oregon)
TW: @bramwalden42 /// IG: @bramwalden
Redshirt his true freshman season in 2021 and appeared in two games as a reserve lineman at Oregon in 2022...Consensus four-star recruit and top-150 player nationally by 247Sports (No. 62), the 247 composite (No. 82), Rivals (No. 109) and ESPN (No. 126) … Top-10 offensive tackle nationally by 247Sports (No. 9), with top-15 rankings from the 247 composite (No. 11), Rivals (No. 15) and ESPN (No. 15) … No. 1 rated player in Arizona by 247Sports, while ranking in the top five with Rivals (No. 2), the 247 composite (No. 2) and ESPN (No. 4) … Consensus No. 1 offensive tackle from Arizona by all of the recruiting services...Named to the PrepStar Top 150 Dream Team as the magazine's No. 57 player overall … Selected to play in the 2021 All-American Bowl … Named to the second-team MaxPreps 2020 Preseason High School All-American Football Team … Named Sports Illustrated All-American finalist … Rated the top offensive lineman in the state prior to the season by the Arizona Republic … Earned a spot on the first-team 2020 Arizona MaxPreps all-state high school football team...Opened holes for a Saguaro rushing attack that averaged 208.7 rushing yards per game and 8.3 yards per rush … Sabercats ran for over 200 yards three times, highlighted by 323 yards and five TDs on the ground in the season-finale against Gilbert … One of the leaders for an offensive attack that averaged 39.2 points per game and scored over 40 points in three of the six games...Selected first-team 4A all-state by the Arizona Interscholastic Association as a junior … Named to the Arizona Republic's All-Arizona team in 2019 … Named second-team all-state in Arizona by MaxPreps … Earned first-team All-Desert Sky honors … Paved the way for the Sabercats to run for 223.4 yards per game for an average 10.2 yards per rush … Offense ran for over 200 yards in eight of the 13 games, including four 300-yard performances on the ground … Led Saguaro to the Arizona Open Division state title game and helped the offense average 46.6 points per game with six games scoring 50-plus points...Received second-team All-Desert Sky League honors as a sophomore in 2018 … Won the 4A state championship with Saguaro going 13-1 and winning 12 straight games to end the season … Paved the way for a ground attack that rolled up 230.2 yards per game and averaged 8.9 yards per rush… Helped spearhead a Sabercats' offense that scored 52 TDs on the ground on the way to averaging 48.6 points per game with five 50-plus point outputs … Led the way for nine 200-yard rushing performances in 14 games with three 300-yard games.
Montana Warren
Freshman /// Defensive Back
6-3 /// 180 /// Henderson, TX (Marshall)
TW: @montanawarren2 /// IG: @montywarren27
Tall and lean defensive back prospect who uses his length to impact opposing receivers…Matches up well with bigger receivers thanks to his large frame and big body…Multi-talented prospect that is part of a massive haul for the Sun Devils on signing day in the talent-rich state of Texas…A member of the track and field team, competing in sprints and jump events…Four-year varsity player and two-way standout for the Lions the past two seasons… Led by Warren, the Marshall defense allowed seven points or less three times and 17 points or less in five games during the 2022 season…The previous year, Warren and Marshall boasted one of the best defenses in the state, not allowing 30 points until the Area Championship game (21.6 ppg)… 2021 Texas District 9-5A-I first-team selection at defensive back as a junior...Emerged as one of the state's top sophomores in 2020 at Elysian Field, finishing with 39 tackles, two interceptions, and ten pass deflections…Added 32 catches for 463 yards and three touchdowns on offense…Also served as the team's punt and kick returner… Consensus three-star prospect among the major recruiting services…Rivals evaluated him as an athlete and assigned a rating of 5.5…Rated as the No. 92 safety prospect in the nation and No. 166 overall prospect in Texas by 247 Sports… Tabbed as the No. 104 safety prospect and just outside the Top-200 as an overall prospect in the state by ESPN…On3 Sports lists him as the No. 74 safety prospect in the class and No. 165 overall prospect in Texas… One of several Class of 2023 signees that enrolled in January allowing them to participate in Spring practices.
Ashley Williams
Freshman /// Defensive Line
6-5 /// 225 /// Zachary, LA (Zachary)
TW: @AshleyLWilliam4 /// IG: @geaux_ash
Instant impact prospect from one of the most competitive recruiting areas in the country…Possesses the ideal size and body type for an edge defender…Arguably the crown jewel of new Sun Devil Head Coach Kenny Dillingham's first signing class at Arizona State… Talented pass rusher that uses his length and athleticism to overwhelm opposing offensive lineman…Effective run defender thanks to his power and ability to shed blocks…Can play with a hand in the ground or standing up in a linebacker… Teamed up with fellow Class of 2023 signee Landen Thomas to form one of the best defensive lines in the state…Zachary finished the 2022 season as the No. 8 ranked team in the state of Louisiana and made the 2022 LHSAA Division I Non-Select Football Final Four…Nationally-pursued recruit that chose Arizona State over several marquee programs…Rivals evaluated him with a 5.7 rating and slotted him as the No. 24 weakside defensive end and No. 28 overall prospect in Louisiana…Ranked by 247 Sports composite metric as the No. 539 overall prospect in the nation, No. 49 edge defender, and No. 22 prospect in Louisiana…On3 Sports consensus metric tabbed him as the No. 491 overall prospect, No. 43 edge prospect, and the No. 18 player in Louisiana…ESPN lists him as the No. 77 defensive end in the class and No. 21 prospect in the state.
Slater Zellers
Graduate /// Long Snapper
6-1 /// 235 /// Scottsdale, Ariz. (Notre Dame/Cal)
TW: @SlaterZellers /// IG: @slater.zellers
A member of the Patrick Mannelly Long Snapper Award Preseason Watch List for the first time in his career in 2022...No. 1 draft-eligible long snapper for the 2023 NFL Draft according to Phil Steele...Played in each of the past 38 Cal games over the last three-plus campaigns after redshirting as a 2018 true freshman and has made every snap on punts during the time frame although he did not snap on field goals or extra points for three consecutive contests of his 2021 junior season (Oregon, Colorado, Oregon State) before resuming those duties for the remainder of the campaign beginning with the ninth game of the season at Arizona and continuing them for each of the first five contests of his 2022 senior season...Has five tackles including a career-high three as a 2022 senior...A four-year starting varsity long snapper who earned Under Armour All-American, first-team All-Arizona and first-team All-Northeast Valley honors for a squad that finished 13-1 overall, reached the 5A Arizona State Championship Game and won the Northeast Valley Region title as a 2017 senior while finishing as MaxPreps' No. 9 overall squad in the state of Arizona...Competed in the Under Armour All-American Game…Added preseason All-USA Arizona football honors as a senior from azcentral…Also earned first-team Arizona All-State recognition as well as a spot on Arizona's All-Academic team as a 2016 junior for a squad that was 8-2 overall and won the 5A East Valley title...A five-star long snapper by Kohl's Professional Camps where he was ranked as the top prep long snapper in the country and a three-star player in 247Sports Composite Ratings…Also rated the top long snapper in the nation by ESPN...Registered the fastest long snap time ever observed at the high school level (0.63 seconds) by Kohl's Professional Camps at the Texas Showcase in 2017…Earned a spot on the National Invitational Scholarship Camp All-Camp Team…Called "the best high school long snapper I have ever seen" by Jamie Kohl of Kohl's Professional Camps