TEMPE – Activate the Valley has been the calling card for Arizona State football head coach Kenny Dillingham since he arrived in Tempe over two years ago. ASU was enduring a horrendous stretch of years, piling up three wins in the season with no light at the end of the tunnel. However, Dillingham’s persistence elevated the program to new heights. The Sun Devils won 11 games, the first time with double-digit wins since 2014, and earned a bid into the College Football Playoff.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!That hard work from Dillingham and his star redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Leavitt earned them the opportunity to be a part of EA Sports College Football 26 cover for the deluxe edition.
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) is greeted by head coach Kenny Dillingham before playing against Texas in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Jan 1, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga. Syndication: Arizona Republic
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham and QB Sam Leavitt on Deluxe Edition College Football 26:
EARLY LOOK: EA Sports College Football 26 cover photo (Deluxe Edition)
Athletes included: Bryce Underwood, DJ Lagway, Garrett Nussmeier, Jeremiyah Love, Ryan Williams, Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs, Sam Leavitt & Dylan Stewart.
(via tubbycfb/IG)https://t.co/2alXsLk9Cj pic.twitter.com/iDfxjuaLto
— On3 (@On3sports) March 13, 2025
The two Sun Devils are just one of the many top programs gracing the video game cover. The Deluxe edition features other coaches and mascots, while including nine players.
- Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt
- Florida QB DJ Lagway
- LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier
- Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love
- Alabama WR Ryan Williams
- Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith
- Ohio State S Caleb Downs
- South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart
ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham greets quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) during a game against Wyoming at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Aug. 31, 2024. Syndication: Arizona Republic
ASU’s success in 2024 has skyrocketed the program to elite caliber. The honor of being alongside championship-level coaches like Ryan Day and Kirby Smart highlights the expectations that follow the club heading into next season. Regardless, the Sun Devils get loved by EA by being on the cover, and this is a sign of more things to come.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
