Arizona State Football Preview – 2025 Season Outlook

With just weeks until the kickoff of the 2025 season, Arizona State enters Year 3 under head coach Kenny Dillingham with sky‑high expectations. Riding the momentum of a stunning 11–3 turnaround in 2024—including a Big 12 championship and a near miss in the Peach Bowl playoff game—ASU now shoulders a bigger target than ever before.  

🔥 What Went Right: Star Power & Continuity
• Sam Leavitt, the 2024 Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, returns as a veteran quarterback. He threw for nearly 2,900 yards and 24 touchdowns in his debut season for the Sun Devils. 
• In the backfield, Cam Skattebo shattered school records—amassing 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns—earning Offensive MVP of the Peach Bowl and finishing 5th in Heisman voting. 
• The roster boasts exceptional continuity: roughly 79% returning production on both offense and defense, one of the highest in the Big 12. 

✅ Strengths & Potential

Expect upgrades on both sides of the ball. Coach Dillingham, now firmly established, returns a core cast and continues building his high‑energy culture. Analysts like David Pollack project ASU as a frontrunner in the conference, backed by new offensive pieces and defensive leaders. 

Incoming transfers bolster depth: wide receivers such as Noble Johnson (Clemson) and Jaren Hamilton (Alabama) aim to add explosiveness. Defensive reinforcements like Adrian Wilson (CB from Washington State) anchor secondary expectations. 

❓ Question Marks
• With the departure of Skattebo, who steps up as the feature running back? The loss of his dual-threat skill and leadership leaves a big hole.
• The offensive line and quarterback room will be tested by stronger Big 12 defensive fronts.
• Fall camp battles at wide receiver and linebacker could determine early-season performance. 

📅 Key Matchups & Pressure Games

Big 12 schedules deliver critical tests in key games like road trips to Iowa State and home matchups with Texas Tech and Kansas State. ASU’s ability to win tight games—last season they were dominant in one-score finishes—will be a key indicator of whether this year is sustainable. 

🧪 Final Thoughts

Entering 2025, ASU aims to prove 2024 wasn’t a fluke. With returning elite talent, improved staff cohesion, and a growing cultural identity under Dillingham, the Sun Devils look primed to defend their Big 12 title. However, replacing standout contributors and maturing an offense capable of explosive consistency remain the toughest challenges. As fall camp opens, this team has both the tools and the expectations—this time as defenders, not underdogs.