ASU Youth Movement Turning Heads This Spring

Arizona State’s young players are starting to stand out, and their development could add depth and impact the team sooner than expected.

Omarion Miller (#4 WR) during ASU football practice at Kajikawa Practice fields in Tempe, Arizona, on March 19, 2026. | Mark Henle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Spring football is usually about the starters, the quarterbacks, and the big-name transfers, but one of the most interesting storylines at Arizona State right now is actually the younger players. After this week of practice, it’s starting to feel like the underclassmen might be a bigger part of this team than people expected.

The Young Guys Are Not Playing Like Young Guys

Arizona State quarterback Cameron Dyer (13) throws a pass during the first day of fall practice in Tempe, Ariz. on July 30, 2025. | Patrick Breen/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

One thing that really stood out from this week’s practice was how comfortable some of the redshirt freshmen looked. They didn’t look lost, they didn’t look slow, and they didn’t look like players who needed another year before contributing. They looked ready.

Quarterback Cameron Dyer had one of the most impressive days throwing the ball, and that’s a big deal considering how crowded the quarterback room is. He’s not supposed to be the starter right now, and honestly, he probably still has a long way to go before that happens, but performances like that make coaches pay attention.

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

When a young quarterback starts making some of the best throws in practice, that’s how depth charts start to change.

Oct 25, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Cameron Dyer (13) against the Houston Cougars at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Uriah Neloms Might Be Too Talented to Keep off the Field

Another young player that keeps getting talked about is wide receiver Uriah Neloms. At 6’4, he already has the size that coaches love, but it’s not just his height. It’s the fact that he keeps making plays over and over again.

Even if the wide receiver room is stacked this year, it’s hard to keep a player off the field if he keeps producing in practice. Coaches always say the best players will play, and Neloms is starting to make a real argument for himself.

Arizona State wide receiver Uriah Neloms during spring practice at Kajakawa Practice fields on April 16, 2025, in Tempe. | Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

He might not start right away, but it feels like he’s going to have a moment at some point this season.

Cutter Boley (#8 QB) during ASU football practice at Kajikawa Practice fields in Tempe, Arizona, on March 19, 2026. | Mark Henle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The biggest takeaway from all of this isn’t just that a few young players had a good practice. It’s that Arizona State is starting to build depth. Real depth.

Good teams don’t just rely on starters. They have backups who could start at other schools. They also have young players developing and pushing older players for playing time. That’s how programs become consistent winners.

Mar 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils head football coach Kenny Dillingham (left) with booster Jay Blegen against the Kansas Jayhawks at Desert Financial Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

If these younger players keep improving and competing like this, Arizona State might be deeper than people think. And by the end of the season, some of these underclassmen might not be backups anymore. They might be key players.