The NCAA transfer portal closes on Friday and the Sun Devils bettered itself for next fall.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Kenny Dillingham has Arizona State in the best position to win the Big 12 and make the College Football Playoff with the additions he got for the Sun Devils in the portal. ASU acquired 23 athletes in the process, but the impressive aspect was the work Dillingham did on defense. The 35-year-old is regarded as an offensive mind; however, he brought in 10 defensive names from the portal — including some that will be day one starters. He knows the mentality of defense winning championships.
Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham talks to his team during a time out a the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Duke at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Dillingham grabbed ASU’s final two pieces on Monday and Tuesday as safety Antoine “AJ” Belgrave-Shorter (formerly of Penn State) and edge rusher Jalen Thompson (formerly of Michigan State) said yes to the Sun Devils.
Both have an opportunity to have a valuable impact on the team.
BREAKING: Penn State DB Antoine “AJ” Belgrave-Shorter is transferring to Arizona State, per multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/RoWGcbCiDU
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) January 13, 2026
BREAKING: Michigan State edge rusher Jalen Thompson is transferring to Arizona State, per multiple reports. pic.twitter.com/ssm4ZglNJS
— PHNX Sun Devils (@PHNX_SunDevils) January 13, 2026
Belgrave-Shorter played nine games as a freshman in 2025 for the Nittany Lions.
Sun Devils continue to stockpile talent out of NCAA transfer portal
The 6-foot, 198-pounder from Jacksonville (Fla.) had 14 total tackles. He joins Caleb Chester, Jessiah McGrew, Ashton Stamps, and Lyrik Rawls as the fifth defensive back and second safety for Arizona State from the portal. His size and range make him a potential starter in the secondary with names like Keith Abney II and Myles “Ghost”Rowser pursuing the NFL Draft.
He needs more time on task to grow as an elite player, but Belgrave-Shorter has the tools to develop into a playmaker.
Belgrave-Shorter was on a Penn State team that finished 7-6 last year, including a victory over Clemson in its bowl game.
Michigan State’s Jalen Thompson, right, celebrates his tackle for a safety against Western Michigan during the third quarter on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in East Lansing.
Thompson, a native of Detroit, Mich., brings production to the valley.
He led the Spartans in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (2.5) last season. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder had eight quarterback hurries, a pass breakup, and 30 total tackles. He provides a presence at defensive end to finish on opposing quarterbacks in the backfield. Thompson recorded 6.5 tackles for loss combined and two sacks in his first two seasons at East Lansing, Mich.
His presence on the interior will make things interesting in Tempe, Ariz. Thompson will finally have a chance to be with a program that can compete for conference championships and have a shot at the College Football Playoff.
The Sun Devils are hopeful that Thompson and Belgrave-Shorter will instantly upgrade its defense.
Below is a list of all defensive transfers Arizona State landed from the portal.
Defensive additions for Sun Devils (10)
-DL Hyrum Vaeono (formerly of Butler Community College)
-DL Jeffery Manns II (formerly of Hutchinson Community College)
-EDGE Jalen Thompson (formerly of Michigan State)
-EDGE Emar’rion Winston (formerly of Baylor)
-LB Owen Long (formerly of Colorado State)
-DB Jessiah McGrew (formerly of Florida International University)
-CB Ashton Stamps (formerly of LSU)
-CB Caleb Chester (formerly of Texas)
-S Lyrik Rawls (formerly of Kansas)
-S Antoine “AJ” Belgrave-Shorter (formerly of Penn State)
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
