20 players Arizona State could target in transfer portal

Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils spent most of Sunday celebrating the news that they would be playing in the Peach Bowl for the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff, earning a first round bye in the process. But it wasn't long before the head coach shifted his focus to the transfer portal, which officially opens up Monday morning.

In a press conference Sunday afternoon, Dillingham highlighted a few positions that Arizona State will be looking for in the portal: wide receiver, running back, offensive line, defensive end, defensive tackle, and safety. Receiver and running back are the top priorities, though, as they need additional weapons around Jordyn Tyson and will be looking to replace the outgoing Cam Skattebo after this year.

With that in mind, here are 20 players currently in the portal that the Sun Devils are likely to at least target once things open up tomorrow.

Wide receiver

Troy Stellato (Clemson)

Let's start with a pie in the sky suggestion. Stellato was a 4-star prospect out of Florida when he committed to Clemson. Injuries have prevented him from gaining a larger role in the Tigers offense, but Stellato is viewed as a player with tons of upside. Dillingham was on staff at Florida State when the Seminoles were recruiting him the first time, and that relationship could come into play now.

Raylen Sharpe (Fresno State)

Raylen Sharpe would make for another Texas player in Tempe. A standout at powerhouse Allen High School, Sharpe initially committed to Houston under Dana Holgorsen. When the Cougars fired Holgorsen, he transferred to Fresno State, where he finished third on the team in receiving yards. Sharpe has two years of eligibility remaining and could be a key piece of the Sun Devils offense.

Jalen Moss (Fresno State)

Jalen Moss was a name we highlighted back in our Black Friday preview, and the standout receiver for the Bulldogs is now in the portal. He was second on the team for Fresno State in both receiving yards and touchdowns, but just behind Sharpe in receptions. He was offered by the Sun Devils coming out of high school, and now he could have a chance to slot into an offense brimming with potential.

Kyron Hudson (USC)

The California native committed to USC as a 4-star prospect with tons of hype, but Kyron Hudson just hasn't found a prominent role with the Trojans. He set career bests this year with 38 catches, 462 yards, and three scores but was still only third on the team. In Tempe, Hudson would be the clear cut second option behind Tyson, though he's expected to have plenty of interest in the portal.

Ja'Kobi Lane (USC)

The moment that Ja'Kobi Lane entered the portal, many Sun Devil fans' ears perked up. The Mesa, Arizona receiver has a huge frame at 6'4" and committed to USC over offers from Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon, and even Arizona State. He finished this year fourth on the Trojans in receiving yards , just behind Hudson,
but led the team in touchdown catches. Now, he could land a larger role by coming home.

Tre Spivey (Kansas State)

Similar to Lane, Tre Spivey could be a target solely on the basis of coming home. Spivey starred at Hamilton High School and was the 10th rated player in the state when he committed to Kansas State. After redshirting last year, Spivey saw minimal action this year and is looking for a larger role via the portal. Like Lane, he offers tremendous size at 6'4" and would have a big opportunity in Tempe.

Running back

TJ Harden (UCLA)

Last year, TJ Harden found himself as one half of a tandem with current Chiefs running back Carson Steele, and he finished with 827 yards and eight scores on 156 carries. Harden moved into the lead role for UCLA this year, but saw fewer carries playing in a significantly more pass happy offense. Still, Harden totaled 506 rushing yards and finished second on the team in receiving yards. He'd be a much more natural fit in the Sun Devils' offense replacing Skattebo.

Isaiah Carlson (UCLA)

Another Bruins running back who's seemingly looking for a better schematic fit, Isaiah Carlson committed to UCLA two years ago and has seen just one carry in his time in Westwood. At 225 pounds, Carlson is a stylistic similarity to Skattebo. Although Carlson isn't as much of a known commodity as Harden, he would at least offer the same running style to the Sun Devils' outgoing star rusher.

Wayshawn Parker (Washington State)

Arizona State's success with Skattebo should attract several high profile transfer prospects, and none are more high profile than Wayshawn Parker, who is currently the highest rated running back in the portal, according to 247 Sports. The true freshman from Sacramento starred for the Cougars this year, racking up 735 yards on 137 carries. He could opt to follow his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to Oklahoma, but Arizona State would offer a starring role much closer to home.

Eli Sanders (New Mexico)

Speaking of home, Eli Sanders would make a ton of sense. A star player from Chandler High School, Sanders originally committed to Iowa State as a borderline 4-star recruit. He transferred to New Mexico this past year, where he broke out as a starter. He tallied 1,063 yards and averaged a ridiculous 7.2 yards per carry. Sanders got lost in the national conversation because of where he played, but he could be a sneaky good fit playing for his hometown team.

Offensive line

Kevin Wigenton (Illinois)

Kevin Wigenton was in the portal just a year ago, leaving Michigan State after their coaching change. Arizona State was heavily in the mix to land his services, but Wigenton chose the Fighting Illini instead. Now, he's in the portal again, and the big success the Sun Devils have had this year could have him looking for a second chance at considering Arizona State.

Wendell Moe Jr. (Arizona)

A starting left guard for the Wildcats the last two years, Moe could have an opportunity to step in for the Sun Devils if returning left guard Ben Coleman moves to center, something Dillingham has hinted at previously. Listed at 6'2" and 339 pounds, Moe fits into the mold that offensive line coach Saga Tuitele is looking for in Tempe.

Amos Talalele (USC)

Like Moe, Amos Talalele offers a road grader prototype at 330 pounds. The borderline 4-star commit for USC was primarily a depth piece this year, but expected to step into a starting role next season. This would be more of a projection-based addition, but USC was high on Talalele coming into this year.

Defensive end

Ronald Triplette (UTSA)

The Sun Devils probably won't land a high profile name here with the trio of Clayton Smith, Prince Dorbah, and Justin Wodtly all expected back, but Ronald Triplette could be a sneaky addition to the rotation. He became a starter this year for the Roadrunners and finished second on the team in sacks with four.

Lance Holtzclaw (Washington)

Keeping up with the theme of bringing Arizona players home, Lance Holtzclaw hails from Desert Ridge High School in Mesa. He committed to the Huskies under Kalen DeBoer and stuck around through the coaching change, but now is in the portal. Holtclaw has hardly seen time in college thus far, and he has two years of eligibility remaining. He'd offer some rotational depth this upcoming year while developing him for the 2026 season.

Kaeo Akana (Utah)

One of the most consistently great defensive teams on the west coast is the Utes, so plucking players from them is usually a smart idea. Kaeo Akana hasn't seen any playing time yet for Utah, but the top prospect from Hawaii in 2021 was a 4-star prospect now looking for a new home. Arizona State has already tapped the Polynesian pipeline on the defensive line a few times, and Akana could be the next.

Defensive tackle

Jaray Bledsoe (Texas)

The Longhorns have the best defense in the nation, which is one reason Jaray Bledsoe is in the portal. Simply put, he can't get on the field. But the 4-star prospect from just outside of Waco is still teeming with potential. Arizona State has landed Longhorn transfers on the defensive line each of the last two years, and Bledsoe may be the next.

Gavriel Lightfoot (Fresno State)

Fresno State's top interior run stopper this year was Gavriel Lightfoot, a California native who has played quiet but consistent ball for the Bulldogs over the last three years. He's not much of a pass rusher, but Lightfoot could fill an important role along this Sun Devil defensive line in his final year of eligibility.

Jacob Holmes (Fresno State)

Sticking with Fresno State's defensive line, Jacob Holmes committed to the Bulldogs out of Chandler High School in Arizona. Another player we highlighted a few weeks ago, Holmes' 3.5 sacks was second on the team this past season. While Lightfoot would offer more support against the run, Holmes can add some pass rush juice to Brian Ward's defensive line.

Safety

Micah Harper (BYU)

Arizona State knows all about the BYU defense and how tough they are, and Micah Harper has earned a masterclass in that over the last three years. He has two years of eligibility remaining and was expected to compete for a starting role next year, but Harper - a Chandler native who played at Basha High School - could look to come home and be part of what the Sun Devils are building.