Arizona State’s head coach Kenny Dillingham was appointed in November 2022, marking the class of 2023 high school seniors as his inaugural group of recruits.Despite the limited time before signing day, Dillingham demonstrated his ability to attract talented players. Within a span of less than three months in Tempe, he successfully assembled a signing class of 21 athletes. Among these recruits were redshirt freshman defensive lineman Landen Thomas and linebacker K’Vion Thunderbird, both rated as three-star prospects by 247sports. Thomas quickly committed to ASU from Louisiana shortly after Dillingham’s appointment, while Thunderbird, hailing from Chicago, also joined the Sun Devils during the early signing period in December 2022.
Landen Thomas and K’Vion Thunderbird were both rated as three-star recruits by 247sports. Thomas quickly committed to Arizona State from Louisiana just weeks after Kenny Dillingham’s hiring, signing during the early signing period in December 2022. Thunderbird, originally from Chicago, made his commitment in January 2023 and signed his national letter of intent in February of the same year.
Thomas, Thunderbird Headed To Mountain West
After spending two seasons at Arizona State University, Landen Thomas and K’Vion Thunderbird have entered the transfer portal and committed to Mountain West schools.K’Vion Thunderbird announced his commitment to Fresno State on January 8, 2025, while Landen Thomas followed with a commitment to UNLV the next day. Neither player saw any game action during their time with the Sun Devils. Thunderbird was among the first to enter the portal when it opened on December 9, 2024, and received offers from several schools, including Arkansas State and Colorado State. Thomas entered the portal shortly after on January 3, 2025, and quickly chose UNLV just a week later. Both players are part of a larger group of former Sun Devils who have sought new opportunities following the 2024 season
K’Vion Thunderbird committed to Fresno State on January 8, followed by Landen Thomas, who pledged to UNLV the next day. Neither player had seen any playing time with the Sun Devils.Thunderbird was among the first to enter the transfer portal for Arizona State, registering on December 9 when the winter window opened. He received offers from both Arkansas State and Colorado State.Kenny Dillingham has consistently supported his former players in their search for new opportunities. After Thunderbird’s announcement on social media on December 10, Dillingham commended him as one of the team’s “hardest workers.”
Landen Thomas had a swift transition through the transfer portal, committing to UNLV just a week after announcing his decision to transfer.He entered the portal on January 3 during a five-day window given to Arizona State players following the Peach Bowl. In response to Thomas’ announcement on social media, Kenny Dillingham expressed high regard for him, stating that he would be a great fit for any team looking for a player eager to compete. Dillingham tweeted, “No brainer for somebody out there!!!! Wants to play! Great person!”
Thomas is swapping roster spots with ASU transfer signee, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Jalen Moss, who caught 103 passes for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns in two seasons with the Bulldogs. The new Mountain West contenders are two of 19 former Sun Devils to enter the transfer portal following the 2024 regular season. They join sophomore defensive back Cole Martin (UCLA), redshirt junior tight end Markeston Douglas (Florida State), redshirt sophomore safety Kamari Wilson (Memphis) and redshirt freshman cornerback Keontez Bradley (Buffalo) as former Sun Devils to land at new schools.
