TEMPE, Ariz. - While the story of the offseason for Arizona State football revolves around the countless position battles, one of the most overlooked bouts comes from arguably the most versatile position on the offensive side of the ball. 

The Sun Devils’ tight end room was the main story during Day 6 of spring practice at the Kajikawa Practice Fields on Tuesday, March 31. Head coach Kenny Dillingham said their use of tight ends will be critical for the offense he plans to run, especially in highly communicative moments. 

“Them and the quarterback got to be on the same page on 75% of the snaps.” Dillingham said. 

After the graduation of Chamon Metayer, the Sun Devils look for different options to replace their lead producer at the position.

ASU hauled in two tight ends from the transfer portal, gained one from its freshman class and retained three notable names from the previous season. 

Transfer junior tight end Anthony Miller aims to improve the Sun Devils' red-zone scoring, which proved a massive issue throughout the previous campaign. 

Tight end coach Jason Mohns not only praised Miller’s frame but also his ability to block at a high level. 

“When he comes off the ball, he’s massive and he’s long,” Mohns said. “He covers guys up and knocks guys off. That’s a big thing for us if you can't win the c-gap and knock guys off the line of scrimmage, it’s hard to put you on the field in this offense.” 

Similar to Miller’s strengths, freshman Lande Miree provides the team with a new prospect at the position. During his time at Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Miree racked up 27 touchdowns.

Miree holds similarities comparable to Metayer’s game, Mohns said. 

“He’s got the real natural ability to sink his hips and generate power from the ground,” Mohns said. “Where I think he has the ability to become an elite guy, is his ball skills and his body control.” 

While the freshman tight end continues to shine, sophomore AJ Ia and senior Khamari Anderson attempt to rise up the depth chart.

“I think those guys (Ia and Anderson) could’ve easily played for us last year … ," Dillingham said.

While the players look to compete for playing time, understanding the mind behind the tight end system provides perspective on the roles they’ll play in the offense.

Mohns enters his fourth year as the tight ends coach, tasked with rebuilding the room back into an elite group.

The seasoned coach has seen the game and the position evolve over 25 years of coaching football. 

“Looking across the game of football at the NFL level, major college level, even down to high school level, tight ends are game changers,” Mohns said. “When you have an elite tight end that can create an extra gap in the run-game while stretching the field vertically, it really opens things up and makes things hard to defend.”

As a coach for many years, Mohns has earned prestigious awards, including the National Football Foundation Distinguished Arizonan and the Earl Putnam Coach of the Year.

Despite the glamorous awards, Mohns looks to instill a hard-nosed and gritty brand of football. 

The group takes pride in impacting the game without the ball, Mohns said. 

“We make our identity by knocking guys off the ball, being physical at the point of attack, blocking on the perimeter, being stout in protection and really creating an extra gap for our run game,” Mohns said.