TEMPE — Arizona State has two impactful tight ends to interchange this season, and it will be an excellent check for the way properly the room is constructing for the longer term.
Chamon Metayer and Cameron Harpole, who dominated ASU’s snaps the previous two seasons (78.2% of offensive snaps by tight ends), have each moved on with hopes of touchdown NFL alternatives after transferring in forward of the 2024 season.
All indicators level to 2025 holdovers senior Khamari Anderson (a former Kentucky switch) and 6-foot-6 sophomore AJ Ia being tasked with changing the influence gamers.
Dillingham on Tuesday stated that pair “could have easily played last year for us” if not for the mainstays that remained within the room, noting that “it’s their turn” now.
Cutter Boley, the favourite to start out at quarterback for ASU after transferring from Kentucky, accomplished a go to Anderson in 2024 whereas the previous was a real freshman getting his first school go makes an attempt.
Meanwhile, Ia has freakish athleticism for his measurement and was praised by Dillingham on Thursday for having his greatest day of spring camp to this point.
“Coming out here and making plays, practicing physical. So I was really pleased,” the coach stated.
Anderson had 5 catches for twenty-four yards and a landing in his first season at ASU (247 offensive snaps), whereas Ia had one 10-yard catch on the 12 months (57 offensive snaps).
Others within the room embody Tulane switch Anthony Miller, whom place coach Jason Mohns known as a “manchild” listed at 6-foot-5 and 265 kilos, in addition to 6-foot-4 freshman Landen Miree, 6-foot-5 junior Kristian Ingram (Portland State) and 6-foot-4 redshirt sophomore James Giggey.
Miree has been grouped in by Mohns as one of many group’s freshmen placing within the most movie work.
“We got a text Saturday night at midnight from Landon asking why he got a (missed assignment) on a route ’cause he thought he did it right,” Mohns stated Tuesday. “And, like, that’s a kid Saturday night in Tempe as a freshman, first semester away from home and he’s not out trying to find something to do. He’s trying to find a way to get better.”
Both coaches famous how essential the tight ends are for offensive synergy, as a result of they need to be on the identical web page with the quarterback and make among the similar calls.
ASU’s tight finish room continues momentum with newest dedication
ASU on Monday obtained a dedication from three-star tight finish Caleb Camping, its fourth pledge within the 2027 class, all of that are on the offense.
While he doesn’t venture as one of many high commits for when the category is absolutely constructed out at No. 1,102 total, per 247 Sports’ composite ranking, it’s a continuance of the Sun Devils bringing in tight ends early within the recruiting cycle.
“Our spots have filled up before May, I think, each of the last three years,” Mohns stated. “It’s type of just like the quarterback place, possibly you’ll take two however most of the time, you’re solely taking one. We’ve had lots of success as a result of whenever you get early guys, it permits you to give attention to the following class.
“We tell our kids it’s like being married. We’re committed to you, you’re committed to us. You get married, you don’t keep dating, right? And so now I can shift my focus to the next class and start building relationships with other guys. … It’s kind of created that urgency. When somebody comes here and and feels that special culture that we have, they don’t want to let it wait.”
Ia ranked second in ASU’s 2025 recruiting class, whereas Hayden Vercher (who will arrive after spring camp) is available in at No. 4 for this system’s 2026 class.
If Mohns can capitalize on what he’s doing in the highschool ranks the way in which he’s beforehand finished so with transfers, it may be simply as helpful as what Shaun Aguano has finished at operating again (Eno Benjamin, Rachaad White, Cam Skattebo and Raleek Brown), or what Hines Ward is beginning to do with receivers (Jordyn Tyson).
