Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham Remains Under-appreciated in National Conversations

In today's edition of the Sun Devils Insider Podcast, we take a look at what makes Dillingham so underrated in the scope of the FBS.

Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates with head coach Kenny Dillingham after win against TCU Horned Frogs at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- In today's episode of the Arizona State Sun Devils Insider Podcast, we take a look at general athletic program updates, as well as what makes football head coach Kenny Dillingham so underrated in coach rankings that have been pushed by national outlets recently.

To listen to today's podcast, view below.

Below is a partial transcript from Dillingham's media availability following a bowl preparation practice on December 9, where the coach discusses the general program culture and two promising quarterbacks that are associated with the program.

On Draw to Jake Fette

“Yeah, I think he's super relatable. Anytime you play quarterback, I think relatability and the ability to connect to people, he can connect to people, he can understand people. He's super intelligent, super competitive. And the dude ran track, you know, this last season. So, I mean, that's just, he's a competitor that can connect to people that's intelligent, and he's funny.”

On Bowl Game Prep

“Yeah, we want to get better and become the best team we can play when we play the next game we play. The mission is to get better every single day and become the best version of us and have fun doing it. So I had a lot of fun today. I'll say that I had a lot of fun coming out here and coach football. A lot of people don't get to do that.”

On Transfer Portal Players Being Welcome to Practice

“100% if somebody wants to enter the portal and be a part of our team, they have 100% the ability to be a part of this team. This is the 2025 team. Unfortunately, this is like the bridge in today's era between the 25 team and the 2016 right? But this is the ‘25 kids team. If anybody wanted to be a part and go through prep and play in the game and be a part of this team, they have the right to do that, because this is still their team.”

On Cam Dyer’s Growth

“He's starting to understand protections at a higher rate. Still got to clean up some things mechanically, but you see some hot throws vertically. He could always throw the ball. The vertical fade is one of the easier balls you know, to throw. People been doing them since they were young. It's the timing throws and all those things that we're really trying to grow with.”