The departure of All-Big 12 first-team offensive lineman Leif Fautanu, who declared for the NFL Draft, has left a massive hole in ASU’s offensive line, but the coaching staff has brought in talent via the transfer portal to try to replace a star like him.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Monday evening, it was announced that offensive linemen Xander Ruggeroli (Nebraska) and Jimeto Obigbo (Texas State) were both transferring to Arizona State, as well as defensive tackle My’Keil Gardner (Oregon).
The trio of new additions makes it nine transfers who have pledged to ASU from other schools. The Sun Devils have also picked up safety Adrian Wilson (Washington State), tight end Khamari Anderson (Kentucky), running back Kanye Udoh (Army), wide receiver Jalen Moss (Fresno State), wide receiver Noble Johnson (Clemson) and kicker Jesus Gomez (Eastern Michigan).
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At Texas State, Obigbo played 67 snaps this past season. During 2023, he was the starting right tackle for the Bobcats and played a total of 1,002 snaps. He did not appear in Arizona State’s 31-28 non-conference victory over Texas State at the beginning of the season.
Obigbo and ASU offensive lineman Josh Atkins both attended Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington, Tex. Obigbo received offers from Liberty and Morgan State before committing to Incarnate Word in 2021. He entered the transfer portal in Jan. 2023 and pledged to Texas State.
Ruggeroli, a Las Vegas native, played one game for Nebraska this past season before redshirting. Out of Bishop Gorman in high school, he was a three-star prospect ranked by 247Sports and had offers from UNLV, Nevada, Fresno State, Colorado State, Boston College, Washington State and ASU before he chose Nebraska in 2024.
Returning home to Arizona, Gardner is back in the Valley after spending his high school career at Liberty High School in Peoria. He appeared in three games in 2023 for Oregon until he redshirted back-to-back seasons, totaling one tackle. The 6-foot-2 defensive lineman redshirted last year because of a season-ending injury.
Like Ruggeroli, Gardner was labeled a three-star recruit by 247Sports. While he originally picked Oregon, he also garnered offers from Colorado State, Washington State, USC, Utah State, UCLA, San Diego State, Oregon State, NAU, Nevada, Nebraska, Iowa State, Iowa, Fresno State, Colorado, Arizona, ASU, California, Wisconsin, Michigan and Texas out of high school.
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Suns, ASU Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
