Let’s get real, if you blinked, you likely missed Arizona State’s crazy football turnaround with Kenny Dillingham. Two years ago, the Sun Devils were the underdog, staggering through consecutive 3-9 seasons. Dillingham’s team is the life of the party in Tempe, hot off an 11-3 season, Big 12 title, and near-miss in the College Football Playoff. The atmosphere? Electric. The mood? All gas, no brakes. He has selectively accepted players who fit his vision from the transfer portal, and it has worked out big. The 2025 recruiting class is a statement, topped by four-star wide receiver Nalin Scott (who turned down SEC offers for Tempe) and 6’7″ transfer Akim Lanieux, adding even more firepower to the offense. On the defensive side, Houston transfer Maurice Williams Jr. adds speed and attitude to a unit that’s become a team strength behind the scenes.

But if there’s one player whose name has become synonymous with this Sun Devil onslaught, it’s quarterback Sam Leavitt. The transfer from Michigan State didn’t merely stabilize the vessel-he gave it a turbo boost. Leavitt is now a top-five college football player, coming off a year in which he passed for almost 2,885 yards and 24 touchdowns, while also rushing for 443 yards and five touchdowns. His rapport with receiver Jordyn Tyson (another national top-20 player) has made them the nation’s most feared QB-WR combination. ASU, with 18 returning starters, is ready for another championship run. Leavitt displayed his composure in the Peach Bowl, where even at a loss, he almost pulled off an upset over Texas despite his receiver corps being reduced by injury.

Coming off that electric season and Sam Leavitt’s breakout, Dillingham sent a message to the team. It was so beautifully encapsulated in an Instagram reel on the official account of @tunein, stating that it is not simply about trophy-chasing. “Our goal is not to win the Big 12 championship; it never was. To me, it’s just be the very best we can be.” He further says, “And, like I tell our guys, the better you end up being, the bigger the moments become, naturally.”

Dillingham’s not assembling a unit that’s ring-hungry-he’s creating a culture in which the process, the grind, and the standard are paramount. You can observe it in the way he speaks to Leavitt, calling him not merely to be a great quarterback but to lead the entire program by example. It’s about being accountable, taking it upon oneself to get better, and challenging one another day in and day out, be it spring ball or the fourth quarter of a playoff game.

Spring ball has been about competition and development. Leavitt has locked in, displaying that poise under pressure and making those big throws, but he’s also been the first one into the film room and working with the young guys. The energy on the team is different; guys are hungry, flying around, and holding other guys accountable. The backfield battle is intense, with Kanye Udoh, Kyson Brown, and Raleek Brown each seeing serious work, and the defense is deep in a cornerback battle that’s bringing out the best in everyone. Dillingham’s message is getting through. The Sun Devils aren’t going through the motions-they’re bringing every practice as if it’s game day, and Leavitt’s right in the middle, pushing that level.

The culture that keeps Sun Devils together

With his inspirational take for the season, Dillingham is installing in the Arizona State locker room, it’s truly a game-changer. The video shows Dillingham addressing his team; the atmosphere is both electric and intense. He’s not only speaking about football; he’s speaking about life, about expectations, about what it truly means to be a Sun Devil.

“The goal is to hit the biggest moment, and then it’s over, and that’s the best thing about winning a championship: you don’t have a down moment,” says Kenny. What’s amazing is that Dillingham isn’t just inspiring the team to win a championship; he’s establishing an entirely new platform. The precedent he’s creating is as clear as day: at ASU, it’s not about piling on trophies or winning one good season. He advises Leavitt and the team that winning is tremendous, but what they want to do is be the best version of themselves every day.

The players are nodding and absorbing everything. Dillingham’s not only their coach, he’s also their leader, mentor, and motivator. He’s pushing the bar on what it’s going to take to be that ASU jersey. Accountability, work, and relentless refinement are non-negotiable now, and you can see that change in the vibe. This new precedent? It’s about legacy, not merely wins. It’s about establishing a standard that future Sun Devils will pursue for decades to come.