This Position Room for ASU Might Be Most Underrated
Spring practice is usually all about the quarterbacks, the big transfers, and the depth chart battles, but one of the most interesting storylines at Arizona State right now is actually the tight end room. It’s not the flashiest position, but it might quietly become one of the most important parts of the offense this season.
A lot of that comes down to the job the tight ends coach is doing and the development of some younger players who are starting to step up in a big way.
The Tight Ends Are Doing More Than People Think
One thing that really stands out when you watch Arizona State practice is how much the tight ends are involved in everything. They’re not just catching passes. They’re blocking, learning the entire offense, lining up in different spots, and basically doing a little bit of everything.
The tight ends have to understand the offense almost as much as the quarterbacks do. They have to know formations, protections, routes, and blocking assignments. It’s a complicated position, and if the tight ends are good, the whole offense usually runs better.
AJ Is Starting to Look Like a Problem for Defenses
One of the biggest standouts so far has been AJ Ia. He’s a redshirt freshman, but he doesn’t look like one when he’s on the field. He’s around 6’6 and 250 pounds, and he moves way better than you would expect someone that size to move.
He has a huge catch radius, which makes him an easy target for quarterbacks, and he’s been improving as a blocker, too. That’s important because if a tight end can both block and catch, they become really hard to take off the field.
If he keeps developing the way he has been, he could become a really big part of the offense this year.
Landen Miree Another Name To Watch
Another tight end who has been getting attention is freshman Landen Miree. He’s still young and still learning, but coaches have already talked about his potential as a playmaker and a blocker.
Freshmen usually take time to adjust to college football, especially at positions like tight end, where you have to be physical and learn a lot of responsibilities. But it sounds like he’s already improving quickly, which is a really good sign for the future of the position.
Why This Position Group Matters So Much
Everyone is going to talk about the quarterback battle and the wide receivers, and that makes sense. But tight ends can make an offense way more balanced.
They help the run game, they help pass protection, and they create matchup problems in the passing game.
This tight end room might end up being one of the most underrated groups on the entire Arizona State team. And if the offense takes a big step forward this season, don’t be surprised if the tight ends are a big reason why.
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.