TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State football's new-look roster features many transfers and young players fighting for starting positions, including at the most important position in the field. 

With junior quarterback Sam Leavitt transferring to LSU, the Sun Devils need someone else to take the reins under center.

One of those in the mix is sophomore Cutter Boley. The Kentucky transfer threw for 2160 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Wildcats in 2025.

“Cutter’s (Boley) long, athletic, can push the ball down the field, he’s got a good command,” offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said. “We’re seeing a lot of things that we did see on film come to life.”

Boley’s main competitor for the job is senior Mikey Keene, a Michigan transfer who never saw the field last year for the Wolverines but threw for 2892 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024 with Fresno State.

Keene is now at his fourth school, starting at UCF before transferring to Fresno State, Michigan and now ASU.

Freshman Jake Fette is also in the running for the starting job.

Fette, a four-star recruit out of El Paso, Texas, was a two-time District MVP at Del Valle High School, also being named the El Paso Times Most Valuable Player in 2024. 

Fette threw for 2737 yards and 28 touchdowns with just two interceptions for Del Valle in 2025.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Sun Devils look to rebound after finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big 12 for yards allowed and points allowed in 2025. Subsequently,  leaders on the defensive side of the ball are getting their chance to shine.

ASU expects sophomore defensive back Rodney Bimage Jr. to have a breakout season, and defensive coordinator Brian Ward praised his leadership.

“He’s taken the attitude that this is his time to really show what he can do and the opportunity is now,” Ward said.

Head coach Kenny Dillingham also spoke highly of Bimage’s leadership.

“He’s trying to be the alpha, he’s trying to be ‘the guy’ this year, which is awesome,” Dillingham said.

Bimage recorded a total of 13 tackles in 2025, but he will play a much bigger role in 2026 with Keith Abney II and Javan Robinson out of the picture in the secondary. 

Another leader Ward pointed out is junior defensive lineman CJ Fite.

“He’s been influenced by different people in his life to make him the leader that he is right now,” Ward said. “We’re as a staff and coach Dillingham really pushing him to be that leader.”

Fite recorded 29 tackles for the Sun Devils in 2025.

Ward said training his players to have the right mindset is the team’s key to success on defense.

“Each day, those guys can come in, know what to expect so when they come out on the field, they get a play call, they know what to do and how to do it and why they’re doing it,” Ward said.