Arizona State University was more than a little active in the NCAA transfer portal , but who will be day one starters for ASU?
Twenty-five names decided to come to the valley from various programs, especially with Kenny Dillingham wanting to transform the Sun Devils into an elite team.
ASU added help on offense, defense, and special teams to mix with the freshmen class it recruited for next season. Dillingham, 35, is making good of his pay raise and his staff salary increase with this portal engagement. We now look at the portal additions that will make an immediate impact at ASU for the upcoming fall.
Michigan quarterback Mikey Keene (7) warms up ahead of the New Mexico game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Arizona State grabbed two quarterbacks from the portal — including a homegrown talent from Chandler, Ariz.
Cutter Boley , formerly of Kentucky , is good, yet Mikey Keene may take the starting job.
Keene has experience at Fresno State and Central Florida before coming home. He accounted for 8,245 passing yards and 65 touchdowns on a 67.8 percent completion rating in his time at both schools. Keene's best season came at Fresno State in 2023 with 2,976 yards passing and 24 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Keene would have the weapons around him to be successful.
Sep 13, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Villanova Wildcats running back David Avit (24) runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
He did not come from a marquee institution, but David Avit has big time production.
ASU graduated Cam Skattebo to the National Football League and Raleek Brown transferred to Texas , leaving a huge opportunity for Avit to be a star. He averaged over five yards per rushing attempt in two seasons (2024-25) at Villanova — posting 17career rushing touchdowns. The 6-foot, 225-pounder had 1,610yards rushing on 5.4 yards per carry in two years.
Avit brings power, speed, patience, and contact balance.
Omarion Miller and Raiden Vines-Bright are good transfers, but Reed Harris may quickly impact ASU.
Nov 29, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Reed Harris (4) runs with the ball after a catch in front of Syracuse Orange defensive back Braheem Long Jr. (0) during the first half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
The former Boston College standout was highly productive in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for two seasons.
He stands at 57 career receptions for 1,161 yards and nine touchdowns. The 6-foot-5, 217-pounder has an incredible ability to stretch the field in the vertical passing game. Reed averaged a career-high 28.6yards per catch in 2024, while collecting 17.3yards per reception last year. He has two career 100+ yard receiving games, but Harris is in a better spot in Tempe, Ariz.
Michigan State 's Jalen Thompson, right, celebrates his tackle for a safety against Western Michigan during the third quarter on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in East Lansing.
It got two edge rushers from the portal, but Jalen Thompson may be the better of the two for the Sun Devils.
Thompson, a former Michigan State pass rusher, had 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and eight quarterback hurries in 2025 to pair with 30 total tackles. He chimes in with 11 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, and four pass breakupsfor his career. Thompson carries production value to finish on quarterbacks, but we will see how he grows.
Owen Long comes to a defense where he will be the green dot communicator at linebacker.
Oct 10, 2025; Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Colorado State Rams linebacker Owen Long (40) reacts after a play ahead of linebacker Jeremy Naborne-Owens (11) in the first quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Sonny Lubick Field at Canvas Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The tackling machine led college football for total tackles (151)in 2025 at Colorado State. He has the lateral quickness, scrapping abilities to not get blocked out of plays, tackling prowess, and coverage skills to be elite. Long tallied five tackles for loss, two sacks, five pass breakups, and a forced fumble. He is set to lead a Sun Devils defense that wants to improve.
Sep 6, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Ashton Stamps (1) misses an interception intended for Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Devin Gandy (1) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Keith Abney II has declared for the NFL Draft, but Arizona State has found his replacement.
Ashton Stamps has 18 career pass breakupsfrom Louisiana State University, including 14 in 2024. He has the potential to be a lockdown defender on some of the best receivers in the Big 12. Stamps would assist the defensive secondary in creating takeaways.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
