Arizona State Earns Pledge From Freshman Safety

The Sun Devils continue to bolster their transfer portal class - over a week into the cycle.

Sep 6, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs with the ball before being pushed out of bounds by Florida International Panthers defensive back Jessiah McGrew (23) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- The Arizona State Sun Devils are continuing a ramped-up effort to build a 2026 roster that is contended with an equal amount of high-end talent and depth following a 2025 campaign that has been widely categorized as a disappointment.

The first nine days of the portal being open have been fruitful for the Sun Devils, as they currently come in as the seventh nationally-rated transfer class per 247 Sports.

Much of that ranking is based on the signings of four-star receivers Omarion Miller and Reed Harris, as well as linebacker Owen Long - but work around the margins has contributed to what is shaping up to be the most scaled up class of the Kenny Dillingham era.

ASU Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham yells out to his team as they play against the Houston Cougars at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Oct. 25, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

However, work has to be done elsewhere to continue rounding out the elsewhere - safety is one of those positions, as Myles "Ghost" Rowser and Xavion Alford are both off to the NFL.

Defensive coordinator and safeties coach Brian Ward earned a commitment from Kansas transfer Lyrik Rawls in recent days, while adding to the room with the addition of a freshman group of fice transfer on Sunday morning.

Sun Devils Add Safety Transfer

Insider Chris Karpman reported that Florida International safety Jessiah McGrew committed to play for Arizona State in 2026 on Sunday.

"BREAKING: FIU transfer Jessiah McGrew has committed to ASU, sources said. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound free safety had 52 solo tackles out of 67 total and four interceptions as a true freshman in 2025. He's the No. 88 safety in the 247Sports transfer portal."

McGrew has three seasons of eligibility remaining after playing a significant role in the Florida International defense as a member of their 2025 recruiting class. McGrew's highlight of his freshman season was a two-interception showing against a nine-win opponent in Western Kentucky back in October - he also forced two fumbles on top of his total of four interceptions.

ASU defensive coordinator Brian Ward works with his team during a spring practice at the Kajikawa practice fields in Tempe on March 14, 2023. Football Asu Spring | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Arizona State Safety Room Gaining Clarity

The Sun Devils will definitively have a key contributor from the 2025 season back in upcoming junior Adrian "Boogie" Wilson, who earned 57 tackles, an interception, and six pass breakups in a starting role that opened up due to Alford's injury.

Rawls and McGrew figure to round out the major players in the Arizona State safety room after members of the 2025 room have opted to transfer out, such as former walk-on Jack Bal.

The Arizona State season is set to begin on September 5, when they welcome Morgan State to Tempe.

Read more on why the Arizona State men's basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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