Arizona State defensive lineman C.J. Fite gives the forks up sign during media day for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Discussing Resounding Themes From ASU Football Player Availability

Originally posted on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI
By Kevin Hicks | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 10:00 AM ET

TEMPE -- In today's episode of the Arizona State Sun Devils Insider Podcast, we take a look at three major takeaways from the football media availability on Wednesday in anticipation for spring ball, which is set to take place starting in mid-to-late March.

To listen to today's podcast, view below.

Below is a partial transcript from head coach Kenny Dillingham's media availability after an Arizona State practice on December 9 - the head coach discussed the quarterback position, as well as the overarching themes of program culture.

On Draw to Jake Fette

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“Yeah, I think he's super relatable. Anytime you play quarterback, I think relatability and the ability to connect to people, he can connect to people, he can understand people. He's super intelligent, super competitive. And the dude ran track, you know, this last season. So, I mean, that's just, he's a competitor that can connect to people that's intelligent, and he's funny.”

On Bowl Game Prep

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“Yeah, we want to get better and become the best team we can play when we play the next game we play. The mission is to get better every single day and become the best version of us and have fun doing it. So I had a lot of fun today. I'll say that I had a lot of fun coming out here and coach football. A lot of people don't get to do that.”

On Transfer Portal Players Being Welcome to Practice

“100% if somebody wants to enter the portal and be a part of our team, they have 100% the ability to be a part of this team. This is the 2025 team. Unfortunately, this is like the bridge in today's era between the 25 team and the 2016 right? But this is the ‘25 kids team. If anybody wanted to be a part and go through prep and play in the game and be a part of this team, they have the right to do that, because this is still their team.”

On Cam Dyer’s Growth

“He's starting to understand protections at a higher rate. Still got to clean up some things mechanically, but you see some hot throws vertically. He could always throw the ball. The vertical fade is one of the easier balls you know, to throw. People have been doing them since they were young. It's the timing throws and all those things that we're really trying to grow with.”

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Read more on the bold strategy that head coach Bobby Hurley employed with comments on 1/21 here, and on why Arizona State may have saved the season with the win over Cincinnati on Saturday here..