TEMPE, Ariz. – Head coach Kenny Dillingham has raised expectations around Arizona State football.

The program has gained unprecedented momentum over the last two seasons, selling out every home game a season ago. 

Dillingham said season ticket holders renewed their season tickets at over a 90% rate entering the 2026-27 season, exceeding the goal of 85%. 

“You’ll be on a (waiting) list to buy a season ticket here, which is crazy to process,” Dillingham said.

Though Dillingham enters year No. 4 with expectations of a Big 12 title and beyond, much remains uncertain on the field, including who will be under center come Sept. 5 against Morgan State. The Sun Devils’ coach announced on Wednesday, July 29, during his media availability at Mountain America Stadium that there’s currently no leader in the four-man quarterback competition, and many starting roles remain open across the roster.

Sophomore transfer Cutter Boley is one of those quarterbacks fighting for the starting role.

Boley comes from Kentucky, where he started last year as a redshirt freshman and threw for 2,160 yards and 15 touchdowns in 11 games. Boley also threw 12 interceptions. 

Another name is senior Mikey Keene, the most experienced in the group. 

Keene started his career at UCF in 2021; however, he redshirted after playing just four games his second year.

He then transferred to Fresno State, where he threw for 5,868 yards over 24 games in two seasons with the Bulldogs from 2023-24.

Keene once again entered the portal after 2024 and landed at Michigan. Yet an injury forced him to miss the entire 2025 season and submit a medical hardship waiver. 

Now as a Sun Devil, Keene brings a consistent presence to an otherwise hectic battle, Dillingham said. 

Dillingham said he largely knows what he’s going to get from his veteran.

“(Keene) was Mr. Consistency throughout camp,” Dillingham said. 

That consistency is an important part of what Dillingham wants in a competitive quarterback room.

The Sun Devils have a transfer who started in the SEC in Boley, an older quarterback with more than three seasons under his belt in Keene and a strong high school talent in freshman Jake Fette. 

Fette is a four-star prospect from Del Valle High School in El Paso, Texas, who Dillingham said brings a high ceiling. 

Dillingham said Fette can learn from the more experienced quarterbacks, push them in the competition for the starting job and even pose a real threat to win it. 

In high school, Fette displayed a strong throwing arm and the ability to use his legs to throw on the run. He threw for 2,737 yards during his senior high school season and rushed for 1,105. 

The final member of the quarterback room is experienced within the program.

After redshirting as a freshman in 2025, Cameron Dyer brings knowledge of the playbook and the personnel, Dillingham said.

Regardless of who claims the starting role, Dillingham said he’ll make a decision 9-to-10 days before the team starts preparing for its Week 1 matchup against Morgan State. 

With opening night on Sept. 5, ASU should have a starting quarterback by Aug. 26 or 27. 

Dillingham hopes that decision will be easy. 

“If they separate themselves earlier … that would be the dream scenario,” Dillingham said. 

There’s also significant competition around who’s going to protect whichever quarterback gets the job. 

The Sun Devils still haven’t solidified the starting offensive line, Dillingham said. However, certain combinations of players have stood out in camp, though Dillingham didn't state which ones. 

“O-line is probably the most unique position to name starters because so much chemistry’s involved,” Dillingham said. 

Dillingham added that he knows who the best players are on the offensive line, but he doesn’t yet know what the best combination is. 

The offensive line will also be key to the success of the running backs, who have plenty of competition of their own, as the Sun Devils roster seven backs. 

Without a true dominant running back, Dillingham said he hopes to use their different skill sets to keep defenses on their toes and make the run game more effective. 

“If you don’t have some of those dominant, dominant traits, then your ability to do multiple things is your X-factor,” Dillingham said. 

Apart from the running backs and on-field personnel, the team’s culture is also up in the air.

Dillingham said he hopes the team takes on what he preaches as their identity, but he’s not going to force it. Rather, he’ll let the players decide, saying it’s only the team’s true identity if they actually buy in. 

“If you want people to take extreme ownership, you’ve got to give them control,” Dillingham said. 

Overall, Dillingham believes everyone is on the same page regarding their values. However, he still wants to be sure the team’s culture reflects what the players truly value. 

“An identity is who you are, not who you say you are,” Dillingham said.