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Can Arizona State’s New-Look Offense Keep the Sun Devils in the Big 12 Title Race?
If there’s one word that best describes Arizona State’s offense entering 2026, it’s transition.
Gone is the proven quarterback who guided the offense through last season. Gone is an All-American caliber receiver who could change a game with one catch. Several veteran offensive linemen have also moved on, leaving behind hundreds of snaps that must now be replaced.
At first glance, that sounds like the recipe for regression.
But spend enough time studying this roster, and a different picture begins to emerge.
This offense may not have the same household names that headlined last year’s team, but it has something every championship contender covets: depth.
There are legitimate playmakers at running back, receiver, and tight end. The offensive line has enough returning experience to avoid a complete reset, and the coaching staff enters another season with continuity under offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo. The challenge won’t be finding talent. It’ll be identifying who emerges as the next wave of stars.
Quarterbacks
The Next Face of Arizona State Football
Replacing Sam Leavitt was never going to be easy.
He was the engine that drove Arizona State’s offense and one of the biggest reasons the Sun Devils emerged as a Big 12 contender. But rather than searching for another quarterback exactly like Leavitt, Kenny Dillingham targeted a player with a different skill set and an equally high ceiling.
Projected Starter: Cutter Boley
Few players on Arizona State’s roster carry more expectations entering 2026 than Cutter Boley.
The former Kentucky transfer wasn’t brought to Tempe to compete for a backup role. From the moment he entered the transfer portal, he became one of Kenny Dillingham’s top priorities. After an up-and-down freshman season in the SEC, Arizona State believes it has the coaching staff and offensive system to unlock the talent that made Boley one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits.
At 6-foot-5 with prototypical size and one of the strongest arms in the Big 12, Boley gives Arizona State an element the offense hasn’t consistently possessed in recent years: the ability to attack every blade of grass on the field.
His deep ball jumps off the tape. He can drive throws outside the numbers, fit passes into tight windows over the middle, and extend plays when protection begins to break down. The physical tools have never been in question.
Consistency is the next step.
Like many young quarterbacks, Boley occasionally trusted his arm too much early in his collegiate career, forcing throws instead of taking the easier completion. That’s an area Kenny Dillingham and Marcus Arroyo have emphasized throughout his development. Fortunately for Arizona State, decision-making is often the final piece for quarterbacks with elite physical traits.
The encouraging part for Sun Devil fans is that Boley won’t have to carry the offense alone.
He inherits a balanced attack featuring a talented running back room, one of the deeper tight end groups in the conference, and multiple receivers capable of stretching defenses vertically. If he simply plays within the system, Arizona State’s offense has the potential to become one of the most explosive units in the Big 12.
Strengths
- Elite arm talent capable of making every throw.
- Outstanding size and pocket presence.
- High-level upside with multiple years of eligibility remaining.
- Can attack all three levels of the defense.
Areas to Improve
- Continue developing timing with new receivers.
- Limit unnecessary risks against disguised coverages.
- Take the easy completion when defenses give it.
2026 Projection
- 3,320 passing yards
- 29 passing touchdowns
- 10 interceptions
- 64.8% completion percentage
- 325 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns
Mikey Keene
Every championship-caliber team needs quality quarterback depth, and Arizona State has exactly that in Mikey Keene.
The veteran provides experience, leadership, and a calming presence in the quarterback room. His football IQ and understanding of the offense make him one of the conference’s better backup quarterbacks, and he has already proven he can win games at the Power Four level.
If called upon, the offense wouldn’t need to change dramatically. Keene processes defenses quickly, distributes the football efficiently, and keeps the offense on schedule. His presence gives Arizona State valuable insurance at the most important position on the field.
Quarterback Room Outlook
Few teams in the Big 12 have a quarterback room with this combination of upside and experience.
Boley represents the future and raises the ceiling of the offense with his arm talent, while Keene provides a dependable veteran option should injuries or circumstances require a change.
Arizona State may be replacing one of the conference’s best quarterbacks, but the staff believes the next great Sun Devil passer is already on campus.
Quarterback Grade: A-
Running Backs
Physical Football Still Wins
If Arizona State is going to compete for a Big 12 championship, the running game has to remain the offense’s foundation.
Fortunately, this backfield has the pieces to do exactly that.
Kyson Brown
Brown enters 2026 as the projected lead back.
He’s a patient runner who consistently allows blocks to develop before accelerating through the hole. His vision between the tackles is impressive, and he finishes runs with authority.
He may not be the fastest player on the field, but few backs maximize available yardage as consistently.
2026 Projection
- 1,145 rushing yards
- 12 rushing touchdowns
- 28 receptions
- 240 receiving yards
Jason Brown Jr.
The perfect complement.
Where Kyson Brown wears defenses down, Jason Brown Jr. changes pace with burst and lateral quickness.
Expect Arizona State to rotate backs frequently to keep both fresh throughout conference play.
Running Back Grade: A-
Wide Receivers
Replacing Production, Not Just a Player
Replacing Jordyn Tyson isn’t realistic.
Replacing his production collectively is.
Arizona State attacked the transfer portal with that philosophy in mind.
Omarion Miller
Everything starts here.
At 6-foot-2 with outstanding body control, Miller projects as the offense’s top perimeter threat. He has the frame to win contested catches and enough athleticism to stretch defenses vertically.
He’s the type of receiver who makes quarterbacks more confident simply by being on the field.
Projection
- 71 receptions
- 1,080 yards
- 10 touchdowns
Reed Harris
One of the offseason’s most important additions.
Harris brings reliability as a polished route runner who consistently creates separation underneath and should become a favorite target on third down.
Arizona State’s receiver room isn’t built around one superstar. Instead, it features multiple complementary weapons capable of attacking defenses in different ways.
Wide Receiver Grade: A-
Tight Ends
The Most Underrated Position Group on the Team
Don’t be surprised if this becomes one of Arizona State’s biggest advantages.
Khamari Anderson
The veteran enters camp as the likely starter.
At 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds, Anderson gives Arizona State a true in-line tight end capable of blocking defensive ends while still contributing as a receiver.
Projection
- 31 receptions
- 365 yards
- 5 touchdowns
AJ Ia
If there is one offensive player who could dramatically outperform expectations, it’s AJ Ia.
At 6-foot-6, Ia possesses outstanding length, natural hands, and a massive catch radius. He’s the type of athlete who can create mismatches against linebackers and safeties, particularly in the red zone.
As he continues refining his route running and blocking, his role should only expand.
Projection
- 39 receptions
- 480 yards
- 7 touchdowns
Kristian Ingman
Ingman provides valuable depth and versatility, particularly in heavier personnel groupings.
Tight End Grade: A-
Offensive Line
The Unit That Will Decide the Season
Every championship contender has one thing in common: strong offensive line play.
Arizona State enters 2026 replacing experienced starters, but there is reason for optimism. The coaching staff has recruited this position well, developed young linemen patiently, and built the depth necessary to withstand injuries.
The line doesn’t need to be dominant in Week 1.
It needs to improve throughout the season.
If that happens, Arizona State has enough talent at every skill position to field one of the Big 12’s most balanced offenses.
Final Offensive Outlook
The 2026 Arizona State offense will undoubtedly look different.
But different doesn’t have to mean worse.
Cutter Boley brings one of the conference’s highest ceilings at quarterback. The running game remains physical and deep. Omarion Miller headlines a talented receiving corps, while Khamari Anderson and AJ Ia give the Sun Devils one of the Big 12’s better tight end duos.
If the offensive line develops quickly, Arizona State has every opportunity to rank among the conference’s top offenses and play meaningful football deep into November.
Overall Offensive Grade: A-
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