ASU Target Hildebrand Gives Crucial Update on Process

The four-star offensive tackle has been a top priority target for the Sun Devils since last summer.

Basha tackles Dajohn Yarborough (75) and Jake Hildebrand (74) sit on the bench after another rushing touchdown against Brophy Prep during a game at Central High School in Phoenix on Aug. 28, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

TEMPE -- The Arizona State Sun Devils continue to thrive on the recruiting trail in what is set to be the fifth class that head coach Kenny Dillingham has collected.

The Sun Devils have already earned commitments from a pair of four-star recruits in the 2027 class in wide receiver Nico Bland and QB Weston Nielsen, while seemingly poised to earn further commitments ahead of signing day in December.

Basha High junior tackles Dajohn Yarborough (left) and Jake Hildebrand and are both ranked in the top 40 in the nation. | Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Junior offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand, out of Basha H.S. (Chandler, AZ), officially revealed that he is down to four teams in his recruiting process, with Arizona State making that cut.

Hildebrand is considered a top-100 player nationally by 247Sports and the top player in Arizona - this has been reflected in the aggressive approach that OL coach Saga Tuitele, as well as Dillingham, have taken since last summer.

ASU offensive line coach Saga Tuitele runs a drill as the team holds their first day of practice at Camp Tontozona on Aug. 6, 2025. | Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Arizona State in Strong Position To Land Hildebrand

Several positive signs have pointed towards Arizona State in the process in recent months, as Hildebrand initially announced on Jan. 1 that the program would make his top 10, before further clarifying in February that they would be in his top five.

Arizona State is joined by Texas A&M, Utah, and Oregon in the final part of the process, with the Sun Devils having several advantages, including having the 6'8" tackle in attendance for practices on Saturday and Tuesday.

🚨NEWS🚨 4-star OT Jake Hildebrand is down to Oregon, Texas A&M, Arizona State and Utah, @BrandonHuffman reports‼️

Read: https://t.co/OjM5D1vF8Q pic.twitter.com/XRm2hAeoMt

— Rivals (@Rivals) April 1, 2026

Much time remains in the process before the 2027 blue-chip prospect ultimately chooses a home, but Arizona State has clearly made a positive impression.

Sun Devils Building Unique Case for Hildebrand

Three unique pitches are in play for the Sun Devils and Tuitele to utilize in a pursuit to seal the deal.

Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham reacts during the first quarter against Iowa State in the Big-12 showdown at jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 1, 2025, in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

• The Arizona State campus is roughly 15 miles away from Basha's campus, which would gift Hildebrand a unique opportunity to play for his hometown college. This is something previous Sun Devils have stated was dearly important to them - it seems to be at least a consideration here.

• Tuitele's recent track record as a player development maestro cannot be ignored. The meteoric rise of Max Iheanachor into a potential first-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft should be used as a selling point to land the star.

Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) 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

Perhaps the most convincing of the three pitches is the distinct possibility that Hildebrand would be able to start right away, as many spots are only held together in a short-term point of view at the moment.