In a new era of the winter transfer portal clashing with the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season, programs like ASU have many things that need to be accomplished in such a short amount of time.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Seeing players enter the portal who are looking to leave for another opportunity, hosting visits for players who are considering transferring to the program, analyzing the areas of the roster where they will look to add reinforcements via the portal, scouting and watching film on potential targets, etc.
The Sun Devils have to navigate through all of that while gearing up for the Peach Bowl coming up on Jan. 1, 2025, making it an extremely busy portion of the season for everyone involved in the program.
Finding a balance from coaching to recruiting nearly simultaneously could be a challenge for some, but ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham acknowledges that’s just how the world of college sports is nowadays and he has to adapt.
“It is what it is, there are always distractions whether you are in football or in life regardless of what you do,” Dillingham said after practice Monday. “You got to be able to manage situations, and be able to compartmentalize things. There are times when you have to focus on football, there’s times you have to focus on the portal, there’s times you have to focus on your own guys, it’s just part of it. Always balancing multiple things.”
Since the portal opened, Arizona State has added Clemson wide receiver Noble Johnson and Eastern Michigan kicker Jesus Gomez while 11 players on the Sun Devils’ current roster will transfer out.
Even though some of his players plan to find more playing time or a better situation elsewhere soon, Dillingham will let them spend as much time as they want around the team and continue practicing.
“My job is to help these guys, and just because they went in the portal doesn’t mean they shouldn’t have the opportunity to continue to be on the team, to finish out the year if that’s what they want to do,” Dillingham said. “There is no manipulation tactic behind it, just be on the team or not. It’s up to you but just know you are supported either way.”
The transfer portal always sees movement revolving around every school, and ASU will be no different. Former Pinnacle High School star Duce Robinson entered the portal after two years at USC and took a visit to Tempe recently as well as other potential recruits. The winter transfer portal closes on Dec. 28, just before Arizona State’s CFP matchup against either No. 5 Texas or No. 12 Clemson.
Stay up-to-date with Burn City Sports for the latest portal information surrounding the Sun Devils.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
