TEMPE, Ariz.— All too often, coaches place emphasis on pass catchers who stand in a two-point stance while those with a hand on the ground are ignored. 

However, that couldn’t be further from the truth throughout Arizona State football’s preseason camp, as tight ends have gathered reports of all kinds, including an offensive performance at practice on Aug. 18 that head coach Kenny Dillingham called the worst day by far. 

As a former tight ends coach, Dillingham said he’s often more critical of the position group than others. 

“I told the tight ends the other day, ‘you are the worst guys on the team because I used to coach tight ends,’” Dillingham said. “My brain instantly goes ‘what is the tight end doing wrong’ every single play.”

With a week until ASU kicks off the 2026 season, the position remains without a clear starter and an uncertain depth chart. Heading into the offseason, it appeared that senior tight end Khamari Anderson would fill the gap left by the departures of Chamon Metayer and Cameron Harpole. However, a broken fibula in an April scrimmage set the senior's progression back and opened the door for others to potentially slot in as the starter. 

After two seasons with Kentucky, Anderson graded out as the Sun Devils best run-blocking tight end in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Despite the setback, Anderson remains supportive of his teammates, describing them as a family.

“We're a band of brothers,” Anderson said. “I would say we have different roles in that room, but we're all willing to do anything for the team.”

As Anderson recovers, others within the room have stepped up.

Specifically, sophomore tight end AJ Ia has emerged as an option in the spring and in fall camp. 

As a freshman, Ia didn’t see the field much, totaling only 35 offensive snaps; however, that load is expected to increase going into the upcoming season. 

While they are technically in competition for the starting spot, Anderson showed love when discussing Ia’s potential and how the two have grown since joining the program a year ago. 

“We came in together, so we were learning a lot together,” Anderson said. “He's a really smart kid; he probably knows a playbook better than anybody; he's going to be really good.”

Another veteran option ASU could turn to is Tulane transfer senior tight end Anthony Miller.

With three seasons of college football under his belt, Miller offers the Sun Devils an impressive brand of physical play, Anderson said.

“He's super physical,” Anderson said. “I learned a lot from his game this past spring, the way he approaches blocking and the way he approaches the game.”

Other names competing for reps are junior tight end Kristian Ingman and the pair of freshman tight ends Landen Miree and Hayden Vercher. 

However, outside of the obvious options at tight end, sixth-year defensive lineman Clayton Smith brings an unexpected skill set to the table.

Smith, who doubled as a pass catcher and defensive lineman in high school, has emerged as a possibility for ASU amidst the uncertainty.

Tight ends coach Jason Mohns backs Dillingham's decision to give Smith a run at the position, having played a part in his recruitment out of high school.

“If you go back and watch his high school tape, he was a dynamic pass catcher,” Mohns said. “So we know he's got that skill set.”

Smith's veteran status as a sixth-year player has also given him time to learn the offensive playbook, thanks to his familiarity with the defensive scheme. 

“He's a veteran guy in the defensive room; he's not learning a lot right now,” Mohns said. “He has the capacity to come into our room and learn and provide some depth and competition … we’re happy to have him.” 

Mohns compared Smith joining the position group to something players should expect if they want to play professionally.

“I told my tight ends yesterday, ‘If you have aspirations of playing on Sundays, this is real life; if your level of play isn’t where we want it, they're going to cut somebody and bring somebody else in,’” Mohns said. “‘If you're not the one who's cut, you better pick your game up because if you’re pouting about that you’re going to get cut next.’”

Regardless of how long Smith remains at the position, Mohns is prepared to have him for the long haul.

“I show up and coach who's in my room,” Mohns said. “I hope he's with us for a long time. I think he’ll make us better … this is a business, and it's our job to get better, and if he can help us get better, we’ll welcome him with open arms.”

Initially, Smith’s move to tight end came in response to the Sun Devils’ rough practice on Aug. 18, which featured poor showings not only from the tight ends but also from the offense at large, Mohns said.

“We weren’t mentally ready,” Mohns said. “When you do that, it can get away from you, and I thought the way we responded in real time to adversity was poor.”

Despite the poor performance from the position, junior tight end James Giggey stood out to Mohns as someone who is earning playing time.

“I trust James Giggey; he doesn’t bust, he lines up, does the right thing, makes plays and he actually showed up,” Mohns said. “As bad as that day was for tight ends, he probably had his best day as a Sun Devil.” 

Practice on Aug. 19 marked a better day for the tight end room, Dillingham said, as the group shifts focus to the season opener against Morgan State on Sept. 5, now with the added presence of Smith.

“We still have stuff to clean up. But like I told the guys, ‘don't count your reps; make your reps count,” Mohns said. “Whether you go 20 reps or you got five reps, you put good stuff on film, and that's how you earn trust … this is a game about trust, and as a coach you put 11 players on the field that you trust to do their job.

“That's my job, and their job is to earn this trust.”