Arizona State Football head coach Kenny Dillingham did what he does better than everyone else and dominated the transfer portal this winter.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!ASU signed 11 new portal additions ahead of the spring, and the new Sun Devils are a well-decorated group.
Of the new signees, eight are bringing Power 4 experience. Its remaining non-power four signings — seniors offensive lineman Jimeto Obigbo (Texas State) and kicker Jesus Gomez (Eastern Michigan), sophomore running back Kanye Udoh (Army) and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jalen Moss (Fresno State) — were either named to their respective all-conference teams or made significant contributions to their former program in 2024.
The new Arizona State players were a valuable fill for the 19 transfers that left ASU.
The Sun Devils took some hits in the portal, losing vital players in its secondary in sophomore defensive back Cole Martin to UCLA and redshirt sophomore safety Kamari Wilson to Memphis. While the defensive backs will be taking their talents to the B1G and American conferences respectively, many of their former teammates are headed to a different conference. Some will even be teammates again.
Four Arizona State transfers are committed to continue their career at Mountain West schools.
Redshirt senior wide receiver Troy Omeire, junior corner back Laterrance “LT” Welch and redshirt freshman defensive lineman Landen Thomas will all be reuniting at UNLV this spring. Redshirt freshman linebacker K’Vion Thunderbird is moving on to Fresno State.
New weapon on the outside.
Welcome to Las Vegas, @troyomeire ???? pic.twitter.com/YL2ErQnzMN
— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) January 12, 2025
Don’t throw his way ????
Welcome to Las Vegas, @LaterranceW22 ???? pic.twitter.com/XCgohTg7es
— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) January 7, 2025
A new force in the trenches ????️
Welcome to Las Vegas, @LandenThomas22 ???? pic.twitter.com/dTw2qogmB2
— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) January 11, 2025
Welch is the biggest loss from the quartet, being snatched out of the transfer portal from LSU in December 2023. He was one of Dillingham’s first and biggest signings, joining Arizona State as a three-star transfer prospect after signing to LSU as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2022.
The junior saw little action at LSU, compiling 14 tackles in his two seasons as a Tiger. The junior became a significant contributor for Arizona State this year, recording 19 tackles and two interceptions this season. One of those touchdowns was returned for a pick six in the 35-31 win over UCF.
What a turn of events.
LT Welch snags the pass from Dylan Rizk and takes it right into the end zone for an ASU pick six ????
Sun Devils now lead 21-17. What a way to close out the half.@DevilsDigest pic.twitter.com/iLHDlCzMvE
— Justin LaCertosa (@LaCertosaSports) November 10, 2024
The defensive back seemed to have a sure spot in Arizona State’s secondary this season; however, he was dismissed from the program after violating team rules ahead of the Big 12 title matchup with Iowa State. Welch was booked by the Scottsdale Police Department on charges of theft and trafficking of stolen property on Dec. 2. He entered his name in the transfer portal Dec. 9.
The other two UNLV bound transfers were less controversial.
Omeire entered the transfer portal after seeing a significant decline during his two seasons in Tempe. The redshirt senior caught 20 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns in 2023. That total decreased drastically with the emergence of redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jordyn Tyson as redshirt freshman Sam Leavitt’s top target this season, only catching five passes for for 59 yards. Most of those yards came in Tyson’s absence, catching two passes for 40 yards in the Peach Bowl loss to Texas. Omeire left the Longhorns for ASU in January 2023.
Thomas didn’t appear in any games for the Sun Devils in his two seasons.
Thunderbird is migrating to the Mountain West with his former teammates but will be playing in different threads at Fresno State.
From one valley to ???????????? ???????????????????????? ????
Welcome to the Bulldog family, @KvionTbird05 ???? pic.twitter.com/yCuokyY0K9
— Fresno State Football (@FresnoStateFB) January 9, 2025
The redshirt freshman showed glimpses of his potential in 2024, recording four tackles and a sack in Arizona State’s season-opening blowout over Wyoming, but hadn’t lined up for ASU’s defense for the remainder of the year. He recorded one tackle in 2023.
Thunderbird and ASU signee Moss are taking each other’s roster spots on their new respective teams. In addition to Martin and Wilson, the four Mountain West bound athletes join redshirt junior tight end Markeston Douglas (Florida State), Redshirt sophomore defensive linemen J’Mond Tapp (Southern Miss) and Redshirt freshmen cornerback Keontez Bradley (Buffalo), wide receivers Kaleb Black (Sam Houston State) Korbin Hendrix (Montana) and Jamal Young II (North Dakota).
BREAKING: ASU grabs 2 high school bluechips, Power 4 transfers out of portal
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Reporter Jordyn Bennett covers the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona State, Phoenix area sports and sports related topics. You can follow him on his X account, @j_bennett_live
