Major Observations From Arizona State Depth Chart Reveal

Key Observations On Offense:

• Christian Hunt won the third-string QB battle over Michael "Butter" Tollefson. Sam Leavitt and Jeff Sims were the clearly established starters and backups.

• Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown are essentially listed as 'co-starters', while Army transfer Kanye Udoh is listed as a backup. Still, expect Udoh to be involved in the offense

• Four wide receivers are listed as starting players - Jordyn Tyson, Malik McClain, Jalen Moss, and Jaren Hamilton. A pair of freshmen in Harry Hassman and Cory Butler Jr. are listed as reserved.

• Kentucky transfer Khamari Anderson and senior Cameron Harpole are listed as co-starters at tight end - could this point towards OC Marcus Arroyo utilizing 12 or even 13 personnel at times in 2025?

• Ben Coleman is officially the starting center, while Texas State transfer Jimeto Obigbo slots in at left guard.

Key Observations On Defense:

• The Sun Devils created new positions on the defensive side of the ball this season - 'SPARKY' and 'DEVIL'.

• Justin Wodtly and Elijah O'Neal slot in as co-starters in the SPARKY spot - which is presumed to be a specialty spot to address different formations/alignments. Adrian "Boogie" Wilson is listed as the starting player at the DEVIL position.

• DT Zac Swanson is third string at the position despite DC Brian Ward stating that he was in position to start before the junior suffered a broken foot in April. Ramar Williams' rise is also noteworthy.

• Keyshaun Elliott and Jordan Crook are likely to be unquestioned starting players in Ward's typical 4-2-5 scheme - but they are listed as co-starters for week one. Zyrus Fiaseu and Tate Romney are certainly starting caliber players in their own right - it also feels as if this is a strategic move to keep the rotation fresh in a game that will be played in near 100-degree temperatures.

• Montana Warren and Purdue transfer Kyndrich Breedlove appear to still be locked in a battle to start at nickelback - replacing Shamari Simmons in the process. Both will likely receive a fair amount of playing time during the season, but it's difficult to envision a world in which one doesn't create separation from the other.

Read more on the case for Leavitt to be an All-American selection at season's end here, and if Dillingham has any built-in recruiting advantages in his role here.