After previewing the Sun Devils’ offensive line earlier this week, it’s time to take a look at their defensive line. Defensive coordinator Brian Ward isn’t known for blitzing much, instead preferring to get pressure with his front four, putting the onus on them to affect the quarterback.
Ward also deploys a rotation of linemen to keep guys fresh. Last year, EDGEs Elijah O’Neal and Clayton Smith were the team’s leaders in both pressures and sacks, while Prince Dorbah and Justin Wodtly weren’t far behind them. Arizona State hit a stroke of luck and returns all four players, on top of several of their top defensive tackles, giving Ward a deep stable of experienced players to work with in 2025.
Given how much quarterback talent there is in the Big 12 this year - nine starters return from last year that threw for at least 2,400 yards in 2024 - Arizona State will need all the pass rush they can get. Our own Andrew Hayslett and David Howman take a look at the rotation and offer their thoughts on expectations for the new year.
Hayslett: Arizona State retains virtually all of its depth, which is very valuable for the team. The only notable piece that the Sun Devils lose is Jeff Clark, who started in nine games for the Sun Devils. He had 23 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and a half sack.
The guy that I am most excited to watch is C.J. Fite. Fite is an interior lineman who had the most tackles for loss of all linemen for Arizona State last year. He was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team, and the expectations are high for Fite in his true junior season.
Yall hear that? CJ Fite is ELITE! https://t.co/MadGM1sxEC pic.twitter.com/iQCO2DRM9i
— Wilson F. Ball, CFB Analyst (@WillyFoosball) July 23, 2025
Howman: I felt that Fite was primed for a huge season, but after hearing him speak at the Big 12 Football Media Days, I’m even more convinced. He has a killer mentality and an edge to him on top of being one of Arizona State’s strongest players. That’s ideal for playing the defensive tackle position.
Defensive coordinator Brian Ward likes to use a deep rotation on the defensive line, because his scheme puts the onus on that group to generate pressure on the quarterback. He’s selective with his blitzes, but prefers to win with just four guys, hence the desire to keep guys like Fite fresh. I expect we’ll see a heavier workload for Fite, but he also has some great players behind him in Zac Swanson, Jacob Rich Kongaika, and Oregon transfer My’keil Gardner.
Hayslett: Kongaika sat out the majority of spring ball, so I’m not sure how that will affect his workload at the start of the year, as he registered a trio of sacks last year. Of the outside linemen, I am excited to see what Clayton Smith and Justin Wodtly can do as well.
Wodtly was a consistent playmaker throughout the season, recording 26 tackles. Smith has racked up 4.5 sacks in the both of the past two years. He had six tackles for loss last year totalling 44 yards.
Any member on the defensive line could be used in an offensive trick play, as last year we saw Blazen Lono-Wong make a first down grab from punter Kanyon Floyd in the Peach Bowl. In spring ball Smith made a grab on a pass from Sam Leavitt.
Howman: Wodtly was a revelation last year, and Clayton Smith is an athletic specimen who seemed to be just scratching the surface last year. I'm really excited to see what he can accomplish this year now that he's in his third season in the program and second under defensive line coach Diron Reynolds.
The same also goes for Prince Dorbah, who looked good in limited action last year. A one time Longhorn, Dorbah has always intrigued me with his raw tools, and if he can put it all together this year, he could become a wrecking ball.
Then there's Elijah O'Neal, whom Kenny Dillingham has often cited as one of the most improved players on the team from where he started at Arizona State to where he is now. O'Neal racked up four sacks last year and could see an even larger role this year if he continues to develop.
The recurring theme here is that Ward has a lot of talent to work with up and down the defensive line. We haven't even touched on Anthonie Cooper, who we profiled in our countdown to kickoff series earlier this summer, which drives home the point. This is a loaded position group, which is great news for the Sun Devils.