Arizona State running back Kanye Udoh (6) runs in a drill during a practice inside the Verde Dickey Dome in Tempe on Aug. 12, 2025. Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Observations, Takeaways From Saturday's Arizona State Practice

Originally posted on Arizona State Sun Devils on SI
By Kevin Hicks | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 9:00 AM ET

TEMPE -- The 11th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils are now in game mode.

Kenny Dillingham is set to debut the 2025 team on Saturday against Northern Arizona - game prep is in full swing now. Those preparations started with Saturday's practice.

Arizona State on SI was at the two-hour long practice, gathering observations and takeaways throughout the more position-focused session.

Observations/Notes

The Verde Dickey Dome was extremely humid - the goal was to reach 65% inside the dome by Saturday in an effort to simulate potential early-season conditions.

The defensive line remained lively during

Tony-Louis Nkuba and Jack Bal both came down with interceptions during parts of practice.

Khamari Anderson continued to impress during practice, coming through with a pair of receptions during drills.

The connection between Sam Leavitt and Jordyn Tyson remains strong, as the duo connected on at least two different occasions. Jaren Hamilton continued to impress as well - do not be shocked if the Alabama transfer receives ample playing time in week one.

"Players win, not coaches."

Kenny Dillingham talks about his 2025 Arizona State squad. pic.twitter.com/ljvoqJjsC3
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 23, 2025

General Takeaways

Arizona State is fully ramping up for the game against Northern Arizona this week - the speed, chemistry, and talent are all apparent in lieu of the opening of the season.

DC Brian Ward is very impressed with the defense as a whole, but Montana Warren's growth in the nickel and Zac Swanson's bounce back from a broken foot have made an impression on him in particular.

Dillingham was fairly pleased with the environment that was created in the dome, saying this after practice: "We're just trying to create humidity in here, like, if it's post storm, post, you know, the last two first games of ours, one was delayed due to a storm, the other one was very close to the way, due to a storm. So we're just trying to create humidity in the air..."

Arizona State is every bit as good as its ranking suggests - they will get many chances to prove the voters right, including against currently undefeated Iowa State on November 1.

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.

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

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