Arizona State Misses Out on Prized 2027 Recruit

TEMPE -- The Arizona State football program is continuing on an upward trajectory from many different vantage points.

Kenny Dillingham has rebuilt Arizona State into a national brand, winning the Big 12, cultivating a landscape that helps retain key staff members, and building recruiting classes that outdo the previous year's by the year.

mlmm; — Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts against the Arizona Wildcats in the second half during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The 2027 class is shaping up to be the best of the Dillingham era, as 4-star WR Nico Bland and QB Weston Nielsen have already pledged to join the program, with others such as blue-chip local OT Jake Hildebrand (Basha H.S.) in a position to sign to ASU by the end of the cycle.

Unfortunately, not all targets will end up being successfully recruited; that much was the case on Friday when Hildebrand's teammate in RB Noah Roberts chose the Texas Longhorns over ASU, Oregon, and Michigan.

mllm;ml — Basha running back Noah Roberts (6) runs against Chandler during the Open state championship at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe on Dec. 6, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arizona State missing out on a blue-chip local recruit stings a bit, but they will recover and be able to assemble a strong class despite it - more on the fallout below.

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts against the Arizona Wildcats during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona State Misses Out on Another Local Prodigy

Roberts was very interested in ASU - in large part due to RB coach Shaun Aguano - but ultimately opted to follow the footsteps of one of his football idols in Bijan Robinson. Roberts becomes the fourth Sun Devil recruit who received a "golden ticket" last summer to commit elsewhere. QB Kael Snyder committed to Boise State, OL Ben Lowther re-committed to Stanford after re-opening his process in recent months, and WR Zerek Sidney, who opted to commit to Washington.

n;n; — Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running backs coach Shaun Aguano against the Arizona Wildcats during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The ultimate struggle to retain in-state talent remains at the moment, although the Sun Devils are well-positioned to land Hildebrand and WR Jai Jones by December. The $10 million endowment the program received will almost certainly aid recruiting efforts moving forward, complementing Dillingham's prowess as a recruiter.

Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receivers coach Hines Ward against the Arizona Wildcats during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona State RB Group Still Stands Strong

Aguano has a clear plan of attack, even after losing out on Roberts - both now and moving forward. There are as many as six running backs that have made a case to see the field in a significant manner in the upcoming season, including the returning Kyson Brown and transfers Marquis Gillis/David Avit.

mllm — Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Kyson Brown (2) against the Arizona Wildcats during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The player of the future at the position is quite clearly Cardae Mack, who has left a lasting impression as a true freshman - potentially easing the pain of losing out on Roberts in the process.

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