MOMENTUM: CJ Fite and ASU's Defense Prove ESPN's 42nd Ranking Wrong

Arizona State Sun Devils fired up after ESPN projects just six wins—are analysts underestimating this defense? The show breaks down Brian Ward’s revamped unit featuring NFL draft prospect CJ Fite, freak athlete Clayton Smith, and a hard-hitting linebacker corps led by Owen Long. The conversation focused on the secondary’s transformation with Lyric Rawls and ball-hawk Jesiah McGrew and explored whether this defense can power ASU well beyond national expectations. On the hardwood, Randy Bennett is building a new identity for Sun Devils basketball. Several points were raised, including the arrival of transfer portal standouts Palace Murauskas and Dylan Shaw, big men poised to transform ASU’s play in the paint. The discussion explored early signs of cultural change, defensive grit, and the question on everyone’s mind: will Clayton Smith become a secret red zone weapon on offense? Arizona State’s upcoming battles promise high drama and excitement for fans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.