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| Shedeur Sanders, Colorado |
Realignment Recap: Over a decade since Oklahoma and Texas first reportedly started eying a potential move to the Pac-12, the flagship programs of the Big 12 are indeed moving on. However, the two won't be moving to the Pac-12, but instead the SEC, a move that spurred another wave of realignment over the last two years. This time, as opposed to the early 2010s when they watched Texas A&M, Missouri, Colorado and Nebraska all leave, the Big 12 was prepared. They had already added four programs from across the country in response to the original decision from OU and Texas, and commissioner Brett Yormark was aggressive in sweeping up the remnants of the Pac-12 when it became clear the league was on the precipice of collapse. Now, Colorado is back in their longtime home, Utah has tagged along, and the Arizona schools have expanded the Big 12's footprint into the West Coast. That leaves the Big 12 with 16 teams, and despite the absence of their two premier powers in the Sooners and Longhorns, it has a chance to be the most competitive power conference in America. 2024 in particular could be an incredibly fun year - there's no obvious frontrunner and no clear bottom-feeder, which means we could be in store for some fireworks this fall.
Power Rankings
9. Iowa State Cyclones
Offense: Taylor Mouser, a longtime member of Matt Campbell's staff going back to their time at Toledo together, will take control of the offense as coordinator after Nathan Scheelhasse took off to the NFL. Mouser knows the roster inside and out, but it will be interesting to see what type of scheme he deploys in Year One.
Mouser is blessed to have one of the best young quarterbacks in the Big 12 in Rocco Becht, who won the Freshman of the Year honors in the conference a year ago. He played with a confidence and poise well beyond his years in 2023, and will benefit from having a strong supporting cast around him. An experienced offensive line will keep him upright and out wide, this has a chance to be one of the strongest receiver corps Campbell has had since arriving in Ames.
Seniors Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are a fearsome duo at wide receiver, particularly after Higgins went on a tear down the stretch for the Cyclones last fall. Add in tight end Benjamin Brahmer, a reliable target who moves incredibly well for his 6'7" frame, don't be surprised if Iowa State looks to test teams through the air more often this year than in the past.
With that being said, sophomore tailback Abu Sama II is still likely to feature heavily. He came on strong down the stretch last fall, including a regular season finale that saw him finish with 276 yards and three touchdowns against Kansas State, and will be ready for even more as a sophomore.
Defense: The Cyclones are always tough on this side of the ball, and that shouldn't change in 2024. Nine starters return across all three levels of this defense, giving coordinator Jon Heacock plenty to work with as they gear up for the fall.
The secondary was a strength a season ago and remains one of the best in the league, as safeties Malik Verdon and Jeremiah Cooper are an elite 1-2 punch who play a pivotal leadership role on this team. Cornerback Myles Purchase is also back for his senior campaign, but will need a new running mate at the position after T.J. Tampa was taken in the fourth round of the NFL Draft this spring.
Up front, Iowa State has to be able to get after the quarterback more consistently. It was clear this defensive line missed Will McDonald last season and while they were stout against the run, they simply couldn't pressure opposing quarterbacks as often as was needed. Senior Joey Petersen is solid, but the Cyclones are hoping for even more, while Kenard Snyder could be an interesting addition from Louisiana-Monroe.
The linebacker corps does return a familiar face in Will McLaughlin, who is also going to rush the quarterback off the edge, but there will be some new faces, as well. Junior Caleb Bacon, a former walk-on, will play a particularly important role after being more of a rotational piece in 2023 - he'll likely start at middle linebacker.
Bottom Line: Iowa State feels like a program that is going to benefit from the new-look Big 12. Matt Campbell has proven he has a consistent winner in Ames, and this is a team with a clear identity, which most of the league lacks. The road schedule is difficult, which may make matching last year's six wins in the Big 12 a challenge, but the Cyclones should have no issues going bowling. And with Becht and Sama still only sophomores, it's not unreasonable to think even greater things could be on the near horizon in 2025 or 2026.
10. TCU Horned Frogs
Offense: It didn't came as much of a shock that TCU as a whole fell off after their shocking National Championship Game run in 2022, and the offensive struggles played a major role. The Horned Frogs struggled to find a difference-maker to replace Max Duggan, and the skill position talent struggled to find any rhythm throughout the fall.
The hope for the Horned Frogs is that the personnel will be more familiar with OC Kendal Briles in 2024 and in turn, this group will take a huge step forward. Sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover did show flashes, but will have his work cut out for him as he looks to take command of this offense. TCU did bring on Vanderbilt transfer Ken Seals, presumably to be his backup, but Seals does bring starting power conference experience from his time in Nashville.
Not having Quentin Johnston out wide played an obvious role in the passing game's struggles in 2023. However, Savion Williams and J.P. Richardson proved to be a rock-solid duo and if Hoover can make improvements, there could be some untapped potential here. There's also Dylan Wright, who missed a big chunk of last season with injury. Wright has always been one of the most talented wide outs on each roster he's been on, but now at his third school, can he finally put it together for an entire season?
Now that Emani Bailey is gone at running back, it wouldn't be surprising if TCU leans on a committee approach, led by sophomore Cam Cook. However, the ground game is going to have a tough go of it unless this offensive line can figure things out in a hurry, with four new starters settling in.
Defense: Andy Avalos was hired as defensive coordinator over the offseason, bringing with him an aggressive defensive scheme that will blitz early and often. Avalos didn't have the type of success at his alma mater, Boise State, as he was looking for but was one of the best defensive coordinators in the game while at Oregon.
Caleb Fox and Paul Oyewale are returning starters on the defensive line, both fresh off solid but unremarkable campaigns. Yet, Oyewale is still just a sophomore and seems to have the upside to develop into a real presence off the edge. They'll be joined in the front seven by linebackers Shad Banks, Namdi Obiazor, and Johnny Hodges. Hodges is a X-factor, a hard-nosed defender who was a key piece to the defense in 2022, but who was limited to just four games last fall.
Even when TCU played for a National Title, the pass defense was a problem, and 2023 was not any improvement. On the contrary, the Horned Frogs were one of the worst pass defenses in the nation a year ago.
Junior safety Bud Clark gives the secondary a building block, but there's a bunch of questions beyond him. TCU was able to bring in some reinforcements through the portal in the form of Richard Toney Jr. from Nevada and JaTravis Broughton from Utah, but the lack of depth could be a real problem.
Bottom Line: For the third time in five years, the Horned Frogs finished 5-7 in 2023 and Sonny Dykes has real work to do to prove this program can re-emerge into the consistent Big 12 contender they were for years under Gary Patterson. There's certainly potential, as the offense has intriguing young talent and defensively, the front seven could actually be quite strong. But, there's enough questions to feel wary about the Frogs this fall - it feels like they could win anywhere from 3-8 games and it wouldn't come as a surprise, which could be said about half the league.
11. BYU Cougars
Offense: Kedon Slovis didn't end up being the quick fix BYU has hoping he could be in 2023, and the offense struggled throughout the entirety of the season. Slovis has since exhausted his eligibility, meaning a new signal-caller will be under center in 2024.
Gerry Bohanon, now on his third school, and former junior college transfer Jake Retzlaff seem to be the main competitors vying for the starting job, but Arizona State transfer Trenton Bourguet may factor in. Bohanon at least knows the league, starting his career at Baylor, and I think he'll start the August 31 opener with Southern Illinois.
While quarterback is a huge question, six of the top seven receivers returning from 2023 will accelerate this aerial attack. Kody Epps, Darius Lassiter, and Chase Roberts are an impressive trio, but the Cougars are hoping they can stay healthier this fall, as Epps and Lassiter missed several contests. I'm high on tight end Jackson Bowers to have a breakout season, and true freshman Ryner Swanson could also see snaps.
L.J. Martin finished as BYU's leading rusher in 2023, but had just 518 yards, so the Cougars hoping for more this season. Martin is going to be the go-to guy, but it would not be shocking if a healthy Hinckley Ropati emerges. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL, but is 100 percent and extra motivated this year.
With three starters back on the O-Line, there's hope BYU can improve up front as they adjust to the physicality of power conference football. Caleb Etienne didn't play as large of a role as was expected after coming over from Oklahoma State, but he is likely to take over for the departed Kingsley Suamataia at tackle, a huge loss - literally.
Defense: Jay Hill was considered quite a big get as defensive coordinator after a successful run as Weber State head coach, but it was clear BYU had a difficult time adjusting to his complex scheme last fall. Add in the fact the Cougars were beat up down the stretch, this side of the ball struggled mightily over the second half of 2023.
There's hope that a full offseason with Hill will spring a major defensive turnaround this fall, and there is plenty of talent back here. That includes defensive ends Tyler Batty and Isaiah Bagnah, a pair of veterans who will give BYU a strong starting point up front. Batty in particular should continue to be a key figure after earning All-Big 12 honors last fall. But, the interior of the unit is weak, as the Cougars must find a way to replace both starting defensive tackles.
BYU is also hoping some pressure will come from outside linebacker Jack Kelly, who Hill has a relationship with going back to their time at Weber State. Kelly had 10.5 sacks for the Wildcats in 2023 and now reunites with Hill after a year apart. Senior Ben Bywater also returns at linebacker and is hoping for improved health after missing the final eight games of last season. When healthy, he has a chance to be one of the top linebackers in the conference.
The Cougars did make strides in their pass defense under Hill, and several starters now return. Senior corner Jakob Robinson was impressive in 2023 and will look to build on it, and may be joined by another Weber State addition in senior Marque Collins. Collins recorded 30 starts over a long career with the Wildcats, and should be ready for the jump to power conference football.
Bottom Line: BYU's 4-1 start was quickly erased by the Cougars proceeding to lose six of their next seven games, including their last five. It became clear the transition to power conference ball was not going to be an easy one for Kalani Sitake and company, and things weren't helped by the injuries BYU suffered on both sides of the ball. It's hard to imagine the Cougars turning things around in one offseason, but they should be more competitive in 2024 - if they can find a serviceable quarterback. The skill position talent aside from QB is promising, the defense looks ready to take a step forward, and the non-conference slate is manageable - a bowl game should be in play.
12. Cincinnati Bearcats
Offense: Scott Satterfield and the Bearcats were hopeful QB Emory Jones was going to be a quality short-term solution in a transition season in 2023, but the former Arizona State and Florida signal-caller struggled in his final season and in turn, so did Cincinnati's offense.
With Jones graduating, the Bearcats now turn to Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby, who made seven starts on a Big Ten cellar dweller. It seems unlikely we see Sorsby come on and set the world on fire, but he flashed enough to think there is now upside at the position as we look ahead to this fall and beyond.
Sorsby is blessed to have Cincinnati's leading receiver from last year, Xzavier Henderson, back in town and the Bearcats add a pair of Group of Five transfers in Tyrin Smith from UTEP and Tony Johnson from Florida Atlantic. Plus, I'm still hopeful we see something from Evan Prater, who hasn't been able to break through at quarterback, but could be a fun weapon to use now that he's converted to receiver.
This was a strong offensive line on a bad team in 2023, and now five starters are back. Senior guard Luke Kandra sets the tone, but with three other senior starters, he's far from the only experienced, hard-nosed linemen on this roster. That line should help open things up for tailback Corey Kiner, who is back after notching 1,047 yards a year ago.
Defense: Tyson Viedt will be Cincinnati's new defensive coordinator after stints at Iowa State and Toledo under Matt Campbell. He'll be tasked with turning around a defense whose numbers slipped in a major way as they made the jump from the American Athletic to Big 12.
Dontay Corleone, a physical, relentless defensive tackle, looked to be the heart and soul of this Cincinnati defense heading into 2024. Instead, he was diagnosed with blood clots in his lungs in late June and his status for the fall is up in the air. If the Bearcats don't get him back, they'll miss their best overall player on either side of the ball.
The rest of the front seven is a mixed bag. It may be a good thing that Cincinnati saw plenty of personnel turnover among a group that struggled beyond Corleone, and the staff worked the portal hard over the offseason. Mikah Coleman, Darian Varner, and Kameron Wilson are all transfers who should factor in heavily into the rotation on the defensive line, while Jared Bartlett and Jack Dingle are back to bring stability at linebacker.
There's no Sauce Gardner in this secondary in terms of star-power, but the unit could be solid in 2024. Junior corner Jordan Young made 11 starts after transferring from Florida and should be a building block, but the corner spot opposite him is a question mark. Derrick Canteen and Josh Minkins are both transfers who could be in line for major roles at safety, and senior Mekhi Miller is also going to see ample snaps.
Bottom Line: For a team that made a College Football Playoff appearance in 2021, the fall to 3-9 last season was startling. But at the same time, it was fairly understandable. Not only was Cincinnati making the jump to the Big 12, they were breaking in a brand new staff, and it's no secret that Luke Fickell's last few recruiting classes when he was in town were not at the level they needed to be to keep this thing rolling. Scott Satterfield is now under a bit of pressure as he prepares for 2024, but the Bearcats do have some interesting pieces both back and coming in through the portal and the schedule is certainly favorable. I don't imagine Cincinnati will be competing for a Big 12 Title in any way, but returning to the postseason seems like a reasonable goal as this program looks to build something for the long-term in the Big 12.
13. Baylor Bears
Offense: Jeff Grimes earned himself Broyles Award consideration during his first season at Baylor as offensive coordinator, but his offenses tailed off significantly over the last two years. Feeling the heat, Dave Aranda moved on from Grimes over the offseason and replaced him with Jake Spavital, a play-caller with Texas roots who will look to bring in an up-tempo, wide-open scheme.
Finding the right quarterback to run this system will be the top priority, with Blake Shapen transferring to Mississippi State. Sawyer Robertson is still around from 2023, but the most likely starter is Toledo transfer DeQuan Finn, who had over 3,000 yards of total offense with the Rockets last season. At the very least, Finn's dual-threat ability will add some playmaking to an offense that was desperately needed it last year.
If Finn can come in and make an impact, the Bears do have interesting talent around him at the skill positions. Dominic Richardson and Richard Reese are a rock-solid 1-2 punch at running back, and Monaray Baldwin and Ketron Jackson are key returnees out wide. There's also tight end Michael Trigg, now on his third program, who is still hoping for his breakout season. Talent has never been a problem for Trigg, who has spent time with USC and Ole Miss, but it's never felt like he's been in the perfect system for his skill-set - could Spavital unlock something with him?
The offensive line was incredibly young last season and endured their fair share of struggles, but there's hope 2024 could be a rebound campaign here. At two of the most crucial positions, center and left tackle, Baylor brings back a returning starter (Coleton Price and Alvin Ebosele) and they brought in several experienced transfers through the portal.
Defense: Although Matt Powledge is back as defensive coordinator, there are notable changes on this side of the ball. Aranda will now take over play-calling duties, looking to showcase the skills that once made him one of the top coordinators in all of college football.
Getting more pressure on opposing quarterbacks is going to be crucial to Baylor's defensive success in 2024. Losing T.J. Franklin and Gabe Hall on the defensive line doesn't seem to help in this pursuit, but the Bears are high on this defensive end group, which includes a healthy Jackie Marshall after he missed all of 2023. Nose guards Cooper Lanz and junior college transfer Tonga Lolohea will lead the interior of this unit.
The back seven has a chance to be very good, assuming it can stay healthy throughout the fall. Garmon Randolph and Matt Jones are two players who have been with the program for several years and have a chance to play a key role in a potential rebound. Junior "Rover" Keaton Thomas is also a familiar name who had a great offseason and should line up just about anywhere for this team in 2024.
Sophomore corner Caden Jenkins was a revelation for this time last season and now should play a leading role in this secondary, and Devyn Bobby and Kendrick Simpkins are also returning. Look for a competition to unfold at the other corner spot opposite of Jenkins - Chateau Reed is a solid veteran, but Arkansas transfer Lorando Johnson is going to push him.
Bottom Line: Since winning the Big 12 in 2021, Baylor has gone 9-16, putting Dave Aranda on quite the hot seat as they enter 2024. Even so, I actually really like this roster on paper, and feel as though this could be the conference's dark horse this season. However, one major obstacle stands in their way: a brutal schedule. Beyond Tarleton State to open the year, the Bears have to travel to Utah and Colorado within the first month, and then add always-tough Air Force in the non-conference. Their bye will be helpful in mid-October, but the second half isn't easy either, with Texas Tech, Houston, and West Virginia all on the road, and Kansas and Oklahoma State also looming. If Aranda struggles with this schedule early on, which would be understandable, and he gets fired, what does this season look like for Baylor? Perhaps they find a way to overcome this in much the same way Neal Brown and WVU did last fall, but that schedule caps this team's ceiling.
14. Colorado Buffaloes
Offense: Pat Shurmur took over play-calling duties halfway through last season and now that Sean Lewis is the head coach at San Diego State, Shurmur will operate as the team's offensive coordinator. There's no question he has talent to work with, but after the Buffaloes ended last season scoring 20 or more points just once in their final five games, there's obviously work to be done.
Shedeur Sanders is one of the faces of college football, fresh off a season in which he totaled 31 touchdowns. He has all the arm talent in the world, which was caught the eye of more than a few NFL scouts, but Colorado won't be successful if he can't stay upright this fall - he was sacked a school record 56 times in 2023. The offensive line has to be better, but Sanders must also learn to get rid of the ball quicker if he is to build on last season.
Speaking of the offensive line, this unit was completely overhauled over the offseason. Kahlil Benson comes in from Indiana, Tyler Johnson from Houston, and Justin Mayers from UTEP. And then there's highly touted newcomer Jordan Seaton, a five-star prospect who some expect to start right away at left tackle. On paper, it's a more talented group than last season and there is more experience, but how quickly this group gels will determine how high Colorado's ceiling is in Year Two under Deion Sanders.
With hopes the O-Line will improve, Colorado is also banking on an improved ground attack. Now that Dylan Edwards has left to Kansas State, the Buffaloes are set to lean on either Ohio State transfer Dallan Hayden or true freshman Micah Welch.
It's a better situation at receiver, even with last year's top option, Xavier Weaver, gone. Travis Hunter will be used heavily on this side of the ball again after going for 721 yards in 2023, but he's far from the only playmaker in the passing game. Jimmy Horn is going to be used heavily, and a slew of transfers arrive, including Lajohntay Wester from Florida Atlantic (1,168 yards in 2023) and Cordale Russell from TCU.
Defense: There's a new coordinator on this side of the ball, too, with Robert Livingston set to take things over after a long stint in the NFL. Livingston has some familiar faces to work with, but the Buffaloes are also breaking in a bunch of transfers at all three levels.
One of those transfers, Dayon Hayes from Pittsburgh, was a nice addition late in the portal cycle who will bolster a defensive line that has questions entering 2024. Fellow end B.J. Green should also be in line to start after coming from Arizona State, and look for either Chidozie Nwankwo from Houston or Shane Cokes to start at tackle.
There's a bunch of turnover at linebacker, but Trevor Woods and LaVonta Bentley are arguably the two most important players on this defense not named Travis Hunter. Woods isn't flashy, but is the type of rangy, hard-nosed defender every college football team needs, and Bentley was second on the team in tackles last year.
Hunter may be the most talented player in all of college football, and considering his two-way abilities, it's not unreasonable to think he'll be a factor in the Heisman race. But, staying healthy is crucial for him this year after he missed time in 2023. Colorado is so thin at nickel and corner, they can't afford to not have him on the field, and it wouldn't be surprising if the Buffs limit his offensive work this year to save him for his natural position.
Shilo Sanders led the team in tackles last season, but has to prove he can be the right type of leader for this secondary. He'll play alongside veteran Cam'Ron Silom Craig at safety, while Idaho State transfer Herman Smith is also set to see plenty of work.
Bottom Line: The hype around Deion and Colorado was overwhelming last fall, and winning their first three games had the Buffaloes riding high - until reality hit. They would lose eight of their next nine, which included a humiliating double overtime defeat to a Stanford team they were beating by 29 at half. But even after a 4-8 campaign, Colorado doesn't seem to be shying away from expectations, and they believe themselves to be a real threat in the new-look Big 12. With Shedeur and Hunter, there is a core here that can be a real contender, but the problems that persisted last year are still there. This is a program looking for a quick fix through the portal, and the lack of depth and cohesive play was evident over the final two-and-a-half months of last season. They'll be entertaining and probably win a big game or two, but it's hard to imagine them doing too much more beyond last year's four victories, at least until we see more consistency week to week.
15. Houston Cougars
Offense: After years of Dana Holgorsen, the hiring of Willie Fritz will bring a different look and feel to this Houston offense. Expect them to be more balanced and methodical, with offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay now in charge after a one-year pit stop at Mississippi State.
Houston does bring back an incumbent starter in Donovan Smith, who began his career at Texas Tech, but there's some thought that Louisiana transfer Zeon Chriss could push him. Chriss impressed in six games last season before being lost for the year, and seems like the future at the position for the Cougars.
Running back appears in good shape, with Parker Jenkins looking to be the guy after making eight starts as a true freshman. Houston does have depth behind him, with Tony Mathis and Stacy Sneed both returning after both made multiple starts a season ago. The depth will be crucial in a scheme like Fritz that will look to keep opponents guessing and off-balance with their personnel looks.
The rest of the offense is full of questions. There's talent at receiver, but a shortage of proven weapons beyond junior Joseph Manjack, who had 577 yards last year. Mekhi Mews comes over from Georgia and tight end Maliq Carr from Michigan State, both of whom could be used in some interesting ways, but neither moves the needle very much.
With Patrick Paul gone on the O-Line, Houston loses their stalwart left tackle, as well as several starters. They did hit the portal hard and will lean heavily on newcomers, although senior guard Tank Jenkins receiving a seventh year of eligibility was huge.
Defense: Coordinator Shiel Wood follows Fritz from Tulane, looking to engineer a turnaround at a school that surrendered over 31 PPG and 413 YPG a year ago. Wood and Fritz did bring several Tulane defenders with them, including end Keith Cooper and safety Kentrell Webb, but those additions alone won't have the issues.
With Nelson Ceaser and Jamaree Caldwell both departing, Cooper will play an outsized role on a D-Line that will be going through a transition. Junior tackle Anthony Holmes is an important holdover, and jUCO transfer Xavier Stillman should also factor in. There is depth here, too, but how quickly this group gels will have a major impact on this team's success.
The turnover from last season doesn't stop at the D-Line, as the back seven has a bunch of new faces. Corey Platt is another piece coming over from Tulane who could lead the linebacker corps, while Jamal Morris could lead the team in tackles as a returning starter at middle linebacker.
Junior safety A.J. Haulcy is an important returning piece in the secondary and there are some interesting pieces here, including Latrell McCutchin and SMU transfer Bryan Massey. But, it's just so hard to know what this group is going to look like until we see them on the field. It's likely Houston is going to mix and match in Year One of Fritz, which means growing pains are a near certainty.
Bottom Line: Willie Fritz was a very strong hire by Houston brass, a no-nonsense coach who has won at every one of his previous stops. But like most first-year coaches in the portal era, he's leaning so heavily on transfers, it's a complete mystery what this team is going to look like this fall. There's some interesting pieces and a few holdovers from the Holgorsen era that the staff managed to keep, but unless Fritz is able to pull off a miracle, it's likely the Cougars will stick around the bottom of the Big 12 standings once again this season. This fall should be all about building a foundation that can be competitive in the long-term, and with ample resources, Fritz should be able to get this done.
16. Arizona State Sun Devils
Offenses: Considering Arizona State boasted one of the worst offenses in all of FBS football last fall, there's no way to go but up in 2024 - or so they hope. The Sun Devils managed just 17.7 points per contest, and managed to put up 30 points or more just one time.
Marcus Arroyo takes over as offensive coordinator after previously serving as offensive coordinator at Oregon and as head coach at UNLV. Finding stability at quarterback and across the offensive line, the two main problem areas for Arizona State a season ago, is a must.
Senior Trenton Bourguet finished as the team's leading passer a year ago, but didn't exactly set the world on fire, finishing with 1,486 yards and a measly 1-4 TD-INT ratio. He is back, but it feels like the QB competition is between redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt, who played in four games as a freshman with Michigan State, and Jeff Sims, now on his third school. The staff is high on Leavitt and brings the most upside, but Sims can make plays with his legs.
Tailback Cam Skattebo is a bright spot, coming off a year in which he ran for 788 yards and nine scores. He's the type of hard-nosed, workhorse back that this team will need with questions at quarterback, but the Sun Devils have worked to bring in more explosiveness around him in the backfield. Raleek Brown, a USC transfer could help open things up, as will Alton McCaskill, also on his third stop in the collegiate ranks.
Receiver is a problem - this was already an underwhelming group, and then they lost their top two pass-catchers from 2023. In fact, Skattebo is their top returning receiver, bringing in 24 receptions for 286 yards on top of his work on the ground. Perhaps one of these former transfers could emerge between Jake Smith, Troy Omeire, Melquan Stovall, and now Jordyn Tyson, but it's hard to feel particularly encouraged.
Between injuries and just poor play, the O-Line was horrific through long stretches of 2023. Head coach Kenny Dillingham and this staff worked the portal and brought in seven transfers, providing much-needed experience.
Defense: The Sun Devils may have been better on this side of the ball last season, but there's still plenty of work to do for Dillingham, coordinator Brian Ward, and the rest of this defensive staff. Forcing more turnovers will be a priority, as ASU was -11 in turnover differential during the lost 2023 campaign.
The defensive front isn't deep or supremely talented, but they infused the unit with transfers over the offseason. Former Texas transfer Prince Dorbah had six tackles for loss a year ago and seems to be their most consistent threat off the edge, although junior Clayton Smith could be a breakout candidate at the other end spot.
Look for transfers to lead the way at linebacker, with Zyrus Fiaseau from San Diego State and Keyshaun Elliot Jr. from New Mexico State in the mix to start. Yet, Elliot will have a tough time unseating Tate Romney at middle linebacker, a rapidly improving defender who notched 52 tackles in 2023.
Cornerback is a concern, as Arizona State is almost sure to lean on newcomers heavily there, not a super encouraging development against some of the teams on their schedule. Yet, the safety position provides a saving grace, as Myles Rowser and Shamari Simmons could be the best combo on the team. Simmons led the team in tackles last year and will line up just about anywhere.
Bottom Line: Herm Edwards left this program in a bad spot and it was always going to be a long rebuild for Dillingham. Yet, the youngest coach in FBS ball has plenty of familiarity with the program as an alum, and knows what it will take to get the Sun Devils back to where they need to go. This has always been a program with significant potential with the right leadership in place, and moving to the Big 12 could be the spark they need. 2024 is almost sure to be another rough one considering the roster limitations and tricky schedule, but the hope is that this team does enough to build towards brighter days ahead in 2025 and beyond.
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