ASU Football Lands Elite 2026 Recruiting Haul, Texas Stars Lead Charge

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State Sun Devils football coach Kenny Dillingham celebrated a landmark 2026 recruiting class on the first day of the early signing period, securing commitments from 17 high school prospects, one junior college transfer and 16 others, ranking among the nation's elite per ESPN evaluations. Headlining the group is four-star quarterback Jake Fette, a 6-foot-0, 190-pound dual-threat from Del Valle High School in Del Valle, Texas, who committed on Sept. 22, 2024, and put pen to paper amid national fanfare. Fette tops a trio of top-rated Texas commits, including running back Carday Mack, as ASU taps the powerhouse pipeline for immediate impact.

The class boasts depth across positions, with four-star tight end Hayden Vercher — a top-300 national prospect drawing ESPN scout Craig Haubert's praise — and edge rusher Julian Hugo emerging as cornerstone talents. Local flavor shines through Mesa's Westwood High School standout Sinei Tengei, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound outside linebacker ranked No. 108 nationally who committed June 11, 2025. Junior college offensive tackle Siosaia Lapuaho, a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder from Garden City Community College in Sandy, Utah, signed on June 7, 2025, bolstering the trenches.

Dillingham's staff struck gold in California and Texas, landing four-star wide receiver Nico Bland from Orange Lutheran and quarterback Weston Nielsen, while eyeing Basha High's state champion Class of 2025 stars Jake Hildebrand and top-five running back Noah Roberts as top priorities. This haul follows ASU's momentum in Tempe, where the Sun Devils aim to build on recent Big 12 success with freshmen ineligible until January 2027 but primed for spring integration. Arizona's recruiting footprint strengthens, blending in-state pride with national reach.