This Major ASU Advantage Will Play Major Role in 2026
After just one spring practice, Kenny Dillingham might actually be right. This could be his most athletic team yet. And honestly, you could feel it right away.
It wasn’t just one or two players standing out. It felt like everyone was moving faster, hitting harder, and just looking more explosive overall. Even the little things, like how quickly players got to drills or how sharp routes looked, felt different from last year.
Yeah, it’s only day one. But sometimes you can just tell when a team has a different energy.
The Wide Receivers Look Scary
If there’s one group that really proved the “more athletic” claim, it’s the wide receivers.
Guys like Omarion Miller and Reed Harris didn’t just look good; they looked dominant. Bigger bodies, faster movement, and way more physical at the catch point. It’s the kind of group that could actually create matchup problems instead of just trying to keep up.
Last year, ASU sometimes felt undersized compared to bigger programs. Now? It looks like they finally have those guys.
The Clayton Smith Experiment is Wild
One of the most interesting things from practice was seeing Clayton Smith, who used to play defense, getting reps on offense. At 6’4”, 255 pounds, he’s basically built like a defensive end (because he was), but now they’re trying him at wide receiver/tight end-type roles.
This feels like a very intentional move by Kenny Dillingham. It’s not just about creativity, it’s about adding physicality. ASU wants to be tougher this year, especially on the edges, and Smith fits that perfectly. Even if he barely touches the ball, his blocking alone could change plays.
Defense is Faster and Deeper
On defense, one of the biggest surprises was freshman Davis Kinney already making plays, including an interception. Not just because it’s a good moment, but because it shows depth. And after last season, where injuries forced ASU to dig deep into the roster, that’s huge.
Players like Owen Long also looked solid, which isn’t surprising given his experience. But the real takeaway is this: ASU finally looks like it has layers of talent, not just starters.
The Real Question: Can They Sustain It?
Here’s the honest part: this is where I push back a little. Day one energy is easy. Everyone’s hyped. Everyone’s fresh. Everyone’s trying to prove something.
But as Kenny Dillingham said, the real challenge is doing it again on day seven and day fifteen and into the season. That’s what separates good teams from great ones.
Overall, this didn’t feel like a normal first practice. It felt like a team that knows it needs to improve and actually has the athletes to make it happen. If this level of speed and physicality sticks, ASU could look like a completely different team this season.
But if it doesn’t? Then it’s just another overhyped spring. Right now, though, it’s hard not to believe.
Lizzie Vargas attends Pasadena City College, pursuing a career in sports journalism. As a lifelong Raiders fan, she's excited to combine my passion for sports with storytelling that brings the sports world to life.