In football, your offense can only go as far as your offensive line will allow it to go. In Kenny Dillingham’s first year at the helm of his alma mater, Sun Devil quarterbacks were pressured on 34.7% of their dropbacks.
Thanks to a combination of savvy portal additions and good, old fashioned player development, Sam Leavitt was pressured on just 31.6% of his dropbacks. Arizona State also excelled in their run blocking, clearing the way for Cam Skattebo to break Eno Benjamin’s single-season rushing record.
Going into 2025, the Sun Devils return four starters from last year, though one of them - left guard Ben Coleman - is moving over to center. Still, Arizona State has reason for optimism along the trenches. Our own David Howman and Andrew Hayslett break down the group.
Howman: When I think back on the offensive line’s performance last season, it went kind of similarly to Sam Leavitt’s season. After the first couple of games, I was very concerned, and imagined Leavitt would be running for his life all year long. But the line rounded into form as the year progressed, leading to lots of excitement for this bunch in 2025.
Obviously, the top story for the offensive line is Ben Coleman. He’s never played center before, having previously played left tackle at Cal and starting every game at left guard last year for Arizona State. Early on in spring practices, Coleman exhibited some issues with snapping the ball, but he improved rapidly by the time the spring portion was over.
I’m always nervous about instability at center, because poor snapping can ruin any offense regardless of the talent you’ve got at quarterback or the skill positions. However, after getting a chance to speak with Coleman at the Big 12 Football Media Days, I’m personally sold on Coleman taking over the position. He’s got plenty of confidence and is continuing to grow into the role, with Leavitt offering a strong endorsement already.
How do you feel about Coleman, Andrew?
Hayslett: I feel good about Ben Coleman moving to the center position. Many others in the media feel the same, as he was selected to the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Team. Coleman has an entire offseason to adjust to the position, hopefully avoiding any snapping issues. He will have a solid year, in all likelihood, but that is not what concerns me.
What concerns me is who will replace Coleman at left guard. The four starters the Sun Devils return ease the level of concern for me. Transfer Jimeto Obigbo looks to be the replacement for Coleman. Obigbo has only played snaps on the right side of the offensive line, so moving him to the left side would be something different for him.
Howman: I agree, that left guard vacancy is a big question mark right now. Obigbo was brought in with the idea that he’d take over, and his relationship with left tackle Josh Atkins - the two were high school teammates in Texas - should make it easier for him to adjust to the new position.
That said, it’s still a concern. While Coleman described the adjustment to playing center as simply a matter of repetition, with regards to snapping the ball, going from right guard to left guard is a major change for your footwork, body movement, and mental cues. Several offensive linemen and coaches have likened it to trying to write with your left hand when you’re actually right handed.
If spring practices are anything to go off of, sophomore Sean Na’a is the biggest challenger for Obigbo. The two split first team reps often in the spring, and Na’a has been noted by several coaches for how much he’s improved since his true freshman season, when he started seven games at four different positions due to injuries to starters.
Hayslett: Depending on who starts, Na’a or Obigbo would be the only piece on the bench who has started at the collegiate level before. The Sun Devils have had other linemen play in games, but none of the rest have started. It will be interesting to see who wins that position battle in the next few months.
Overall, the offensive line leaves me feeling fairly well, as tackles Josh Atkins and Max Iheanachor return along with right guard Kyle Scott. Those three are being overlooked by most media and will be a key part of the offensive line.
Howman: Interestingly enough, I think the tackles are the biggest area of concern for this whole offense. I wouldn’t go so far as to say Atkins and Iheanachor are bad, but I do think Sam Leavitt’s mobility and pocket presence helped absolve them of some spotty play at times last year.
Consider this: both tackles gave up 21+ pressures last year, with only six other Big 12 tackles doing the same. Two of those tackles belonged to a miserable Colorado offensive line. Of course, offensive line coach Saga Tuitele has often been praised for his development ability, and Atkins and Iheanachor both played their best ball towards the end of last season. Still, with Arizona State likely to be more pass-heavy this year, those bookends are where I see the greatest potential for trouble in 2025.
Hayslett: You mentioned Tuitele’s development abilities. We have seen that play out with the development of Leif Fautanu and Coleman and I expect it to continue to grow with the rest of the line.
The offensive line’s level of success will be important to set Leavitt and the run game up for success. This season’s line makes me think that the offense will be successful anchored by the solid offensive line.