ASU has a good coaching staff under Kenny Dillingham, but one name separated himself in this transfer portal cycle.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Arizona State bolsters one of CFB’s most elite defensive secondaries for 2026 season
Bryan Carrington, a native of Houston, Texas, did work in the portal as Arizona State’s cornerbacks coach.
How Carrington got ASU better in the portal at cornerback?
Sep 6, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers cornerback Ashton Stamps (1) misses an interception intended for Louisiana Tech Bulldogs wide receiver Devin Gandy (1) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
He got ASU lankier at the position, making sure quarterbacks and wide receivers do not have it easy. The Sun Devils return Rodney Bimage, Jr. for his sophomore season, following a campaign of 12 tackles, two pass breakups, and a quarterback hurry in 2025.
Bimage, a Houston native, comes in at 6’0″ and 190 pounds. Carrington brought Ashton Stamps, Chance Rucker, and Nigel Pringle to ASU. Stamps (LSU) and Pringle (Arkansas) both hail from Southeastern Conference schools, while Rucker (Michigan Stat) transfer in from the Big Ten. All three are 6-feet or taller with Pringle at 6-foot-2 and 177 pounds.
Stamps has 18 career pass breakups through three seasons, including 14 in 2024.
Michigan State’s Chance Rucker celebrates after a defensive stop against Nebraska during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Rucker and Pringle are talented, yet both could use more development. Carrington was a marquee recruiter for the Texas Longhorns, TCU Horned Frogs, Houston Cougars, and University of Southern California (USC). He brings the self same savvy to ASU and is excited to watch it pay off. ASU has seven transfer defensive backs, including four corners.
Arizona State finish up portal additions by boosting its defense
Carrington did his part in shoring up the secondary to be a strength next fall.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
