Arizona State football had a meteoric rise to national prominence in 2024, seemingly gaining attention it hadn't seen since 2014 and hadn't been able to sustain since 1996.
After 11 wins, a Big 12 Conference title and the program's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, people are paying attention to what head coach Kenny Dillingham is brewing in Tempe.
Particularly at the next level, Sun Devil football is attracting eyeballs and drawing praise from some big stars. Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud took time out of his post-Week 18 news conference to speak on what he liked about ASU's players and their Peach Bowl performance.
C.J. Stroud talked about the college football playoffs and showed love to Arizona State, so naturally I had to represent.
— Chancellor Johnson (@ChancellorTV) January 8, 2025
The Texans QB even shouted out Cam Skattebo and Xavier Guillory. pic.twitter.com/aFWXNBDapS
"Arizona State played some good ball," Stroud told reporters Tuesday. "I like that running back, [Cam Skattebo] and the receiver, number one [Xavier Guillory], he's a good player."
Stroud was interacting with KPRC's Chancellor Johnson, an ASU alumnus, who correctly pointed out there should've been a targeting call late in the Peach Bowl that would've given the Sun Devils a good chance of beating Texas in regulation.
ASU is getting adulation from the NFL despite losing in the CFP quarterfinal
As much as there are four giant college football brands remaining in the College Football Playoff semifinals, ASU seems to be the one eliminated team being talked about in an almost exclusively positive light. Sometimes it feels like the Sun Devils are being talked about more than the teams that won their respective quarterfinal games.
And it hasn't gone unnoticed either. ASU's coaching staff has capitalized on the increased attention and used it in recruiting efforts. Dillingham and other assistants, plus athletic director Graham Rossini and more surrounding the program have reposted Stroud's comments.
Having Houston's star quarterback put that kind of praise into the airwaves in a state like Texas, territory ASU has been making huge inroads in as far as recruiting goes, will make a difference down the road. The Big 12 practically runs through Texas and if the Sun Devils want to retain their year one crown, comments like that will go a long way with recruits who will clearly look up to Stroud.
If we're being honest, ASU isn't leaving the national conversation any time soon - for better or for worse. As a fanbase, it's time we get used to it and perhaps get a few pointers from those that have been there for awhile on how to handle it.