Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham speaks to the media during a news conference at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Oct. 20, 2025. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Dillingham Discusses ASU's Opening to Week Four of Spring

Originally posted on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI
By Kevin Hicks | Last updated Apr 8, 2026 8:00 AM ET

TEMPE -- Day nine of spring football for the Arizona State Sun Devils officially concluded on Tuesday morning, with several positives that could tangibly be drawn coming out of it.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham certainly saw a silver lining in the practice, stating as much in his media availability following practice.

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To watch the full availability, view below.

Dillingham Praises Pair of Newcomers

Dillingham went to great lengths to single out a pair of seniors who double as newcomers in Lyrik Rawls and Jalen Thompson when discussing what he saw as the defense's best effort thus far in spring.

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Rawls transferred to Arizona State after a lone season at Kansas. There is only one season of eligibility in direct view for Rawls, but he has made the most of it, leading into the season. The Texas native has been noted as one of the most cerebral players on defense and has routinely been involved in preventing explosive plays.

Thompson was noted for having a bright personality and being a productive player at Michigan State before making the move to Tempe. Thompson is in a position to be one of the leaders of an edge-rushing group that saw Prince Dorbah, Justin Wodtly, and Elijah O'Neal conclude their careers in 2025.

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Both players will be called upon to produce at a high level in order to ensure Brian Ward's defense remains a strong collective unit yet again.

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Zyrus Fiaseu Welcomed Back With Open Arms

Fiaseu's career was expected to end following the 2025 campaign, but an untimely injury in the fourth game of the season against Baylor ensured that the second-year Sun Devil would be in a position to earn a medical redshirt.

The third linebacker in Ward's 4-2-5 defense is now returning to the role that he thrived in during ASU's run to the Big 12 title in 2024, and Dillingham sees the situation as a tragedy that snowballed into a blessing.

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Not much, if anything, will change regarding role, but Fiaseu is now in a unique situation to both contribute to a talented defense and serve as a true mentor to younger players in the LB room, including freshman Mason Marden.

Linebackers coach A.J. Cooper is also thrilled that Fiaseu is back for one more season - the California native will continue to push forward with ambitions of making it to the NFL and winning another Big 12 title in frame.

This article first appeared on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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