Ranking Arizona State Starting Quarterbacks Since 2016

How does everyone that started a game for the Sun Devils over the last 10 years stack up?

Dec 30, 2021; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) warms up before facing the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2021 Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

TEMPE -- Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham will officially start his sixth unique quarterback at the onset of the 2026 season in September - whether that is Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley, Michigan transfer Mikey Keene, or the returning Cameron Dyer - with incoming freshman Jake Fette serving as an intriguing option as well.

Arizona State on SI ranks the starting quarterbacks over the last 10 years with a number of factors in mind, including taent, accomlishments, and leadership.

The Rest

Dillon Sterling-Cole and Brady White each started one game for the program in 2016 - with Cole presiding over a blowout loss to Oregon, while White played a part in a win over UCLA. Joey Yellen started a singular game for the Sun Devils in 2019, actually setting a record for most passing yards in a first start. Drew Pyne and Jaden Rashada also started in the debut season of Dillingham in 2023, with Rashada showing much promise in three starts with the Sun Devils before transferring out during the spring portal window.

Sep 9, 2017; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Brady White (2) against the San Diego State Aztecs at Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

5. Trenton Bourguet

Bourguet played some truly inspired football during the 2022 season, including 435, 349, and 376 yard showings after taking over as the starter from Jones.

Bourguet's 2023 season didn't go according to plan, but much of that was due to an injury that he suffered early on in the season that resulted in a severe lack of mobility for much of the season.

The Arizona native has to be commended for the grit, loyalty, and performances that he gave the program as a player.

Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Trenton Bourguet (16) against the Arizona Wildcats during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

4. Jeff Sims

Sims transferred to Arizona State during the spring transfer portal window in 2024, spending the last two seasons with the Sun Devils.

While his total stats of 1,423 passing yards and 637 rushing yards aren't gaudy, the Jacksonville native truly put it all on the line as the full-time starting player over the last two months of the season, putting the Sun Devils in a position to compete for a spot in the Big 12 title game in the very last week of the regular season.

Sims' parting gift was 375 passing yards in the Sun Bowl loss to Duke, which has revived optimism that the Arizona State offense is still in a position to be great moving forward.

3. Jayden Daniels

The major "what-if" of the list.

There's little denying that Daniels is likely the most talented player to ever suit up for the Sun Devils at quarterback, and it appeared as if Herm Edwards had found a foundational player during the 2019 season.

In an unfortunate turn of events, Daniels' freshman year OC in Rob Likens was fired, which was followed by the COVID-19 season and a subpar hire in Zak Hill to replace Likens. The 2021 season was an unmitigated disaster on the offensive side of the ball despite an incredible season from Rachaad White - with the unraveling of the Edwards era resulting in Daniels transferring to LSU.

There's little doubt that Daniels would have went into the NFL as a Sun Devil if things were managed better during the 2020 and 21 seasons.

Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2) celebrate their 38-34 win over Washington State on Oct. 12, 2019 in Tempe, Ariz. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2. Manny Wilkins

Wilkins was a three-year starter for the Sun Devils from 2016-18. He wasn't the fastest, didn't have the biggest arm, and certainly wasn't a ceiling raiser in the traditional sense.

However, Wilkins did provide incredible leadership during uncertain times, was a productive player on a reliable basis, and set the foundation for Arizona State to succeed beyond 2018.

Arizona State's Manny Wilkins celebrates with fans after defeating Arizona for the Territorial Cup on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Arizona State won, 41-40. Arizona State Vs Arizona | Sean Logan/The Republic

1. Sam Leavitt

Leavitt's exit from ASU to LSU (coincidentally tied in with Daniels) was surely messy and will leave many fans bitter, but he manned the fort of the historic 2024 Arizona State season that laid the foundation for Dillingham to build a Big 12 power.

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

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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