Arizona State Sun Devils’ rebuild is beginning to sprout some real roots—and the nation is starting to notice. In Tempe, Kenny Dillingham is clearly preparing for his post-Sam Leavitt era with his strong recruiting pitches. He could once again strike gold in the 2026 and 2028 recruiting classes, targeting some of the most elite football bloodlines in the country. And it’s a whole different level when those stars are carrying Hall of Fame last names. The Sun Devils, quietly and confidently, are doing both.

One of the brightest new names drawing attention to Tempe is none other than Gaige Weddle. The son of former Utah All-American and Super Bowl-winning NFL safety Eric Weddle. A two-way phenom at Rancho Bernardo High School (CA), Weddle is already shaping up to be the kind of prospect who can light up both ends of the field.

On a recent visit, ASU extended him a scholarship, prompting Gaige to post, “Loved visiting with you @CoachCoop84 about @ASUFootball. Great things going on there! I am thankful to be offered a scholarship to Arizona ST! #ForksUp #ActivateTheValley.”

There’s a reason why the buzz around the younger Weddle is so loud, even though he’s only part of the 2028 class. As a freshman on varsity, the 6-foot-2, 185-pounder torched defenses for 1,115 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, with just two interceptions. He added 635 yards and nine more scores on the ground—eye-popping numbers for a freshman.

Defensively, where his father carved out an NFL legacy, Gaige logged 90 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble. He’s already fielding 11 Division I offers, including Tennessee, USC, Washington, Utah, and BYU. He’s earned First Team MaxPreps All-American honors and All-League accolades—all before he’s taken a driver’s test.

But he’s not the only blue-chip name circling the Sun Devils’ orbit. Brophy Prep four-star wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, son of the legendary Larry Fitzgerald, is also taking a long look at Arizona State. The class of 2026 standout has six visits lined up and a commitment date set for July 5. And while nothing is sealed, the connection between Fitzgerald and ASU WR coach Hines Ward—himself a former NFL great—could tilt the scale. There’s mutual respect baked in, and that’s something recruiting pitches can’t manufacture.

This is where Kenny Dillingham’s vision starts to look like a real blueprint. With QB Sam Leavitt already shining brightly on NFL mock draft boards, the HC is building for the future by securing top young prospects. He isn’t just collecting commitments; he’s curating culture. With NFL bloodlines knocking and elite coaching relationships in place, ASU is suddenly being viewed through a sharper lens. It doesn’t hurt that the Sun Devils have seen players drafted in the first round in recent seasons. That kind of trajectory gives young prospects—and their NFL-savvy parents—real reason to believe.

It’s about more than legacy—it’s about the right fit. And in Dillingham’s program, that fit looks increasingly tailored for the next generation of two-way stars and polished receivers.

Bottom to Big 12 boss, Kenny Dillingham’s Sun Devil rise sparks buzz

Talk about a glow-up. Arizona State went from being written off as an afterthought to now being the odds-on favorites to repeat as Big 12 champions. Thanks to the man in charge: Kenny Dillingham.

Coming off a jaw-dropping 2024 campaign that saw the Sun Devils go from last-place predictions to Big 12 champs and College Football Playoff contenders, Dillingham has officially flipped the script in Tempe. And folks are taking notice.

USA Today’s Jordan Mendoza put it plainly: “This may be a case of recency bias, but Dillingham has orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in college football. Returning to his alma mater, he inherited a team reeling from the Herm Edwards era, and it showed with a 3-9 debut season. But after Arizona State was picked to finish last in the Big 12 in 2024, it won the conference and made the College Football Playoff. Dillingham has brought fire back to the Sun Devils and at just 34-years-old, he’s setting the path for a long, successful career.”

That’s high praise—and it puts him ahead of some heavy hitters like Kalani Sitake, Matt Campbell, and Deion Sanders.