Arizona State University commenced its spring semester on Monday, prompting head coach Kenny Dillingham to begin integrating his latest transfer portal acquisitions into the team dynamics.The Sun Devils managed to retain most of their offensive line during the winter transfer portal period, with only freshman Luis Cordova departing in December and redshirt freshman Sirri Kandiyeli following the Peach Bowl defeat to Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.Dillingham has been actively enhancing the team’s roster through the transfer portal, successfully replacing Cordova and Kandiyeli with notable offensive line transfers just before the new semester began.
Former Texas State senior offensive lineman Jimeto Obigbo and former Nebraska redshirt freshman Xander Ruggeroli both announced their commitments to the Sun Devils on Sunday.
Obigbo and Ruggeroli were among three transfers who pledged their commitment to the Sun Devils on Sunday, alongside former Oregon redshirt defensive lineman My’Keil Garner. They represent the only offensive line recruits out of ASU’s total of 11 transfer additions this winter.
Obigbo Climbs The College Ranks
Both linemen bring significant contributions to Arizona State in their unique ways, and it’s not solely about their physical dimensions.
Obigbo’s journey is a compelling narrative in light of the new transfer regulations. Originally signing with the FCS program Incarnate Word as an unranked high school recruit from Texas in 2021, he made his way through Division I football.Choosing to stay in Texas for his college career, Obigbo participated in eight games during his freshman year, playing various positions including right guard, left guard, and right tackle to protect 2024 Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward before Ward transferred to Washington State and later Miami. In the 2022 season, Obigbo focused solely on right tackle and received second-team all-conference recognition. He then transferred to Texas State the following spring.At Texas State, Obigbo was one of five offensive linemen who transferred from Incarnate Word for the 2023 season. He started 12 out of 13 games at right tackle and one at right guard. In 2024, he played only 41 snaps over four games for the Bobcats, allowing him to redshirt and retain a year of eligibility as a Sun Devil. Notably, he was high school teammates with ASU redshirt junior offensive lineman Josh Atkins at Mansfield Timberview High School in Texas. Atkins previously played at Hawai’i and Houston before joining ASU.
Ruggeroli may not have the same level of experience as Obigbo, having not played any snaps for Nebraska in two seasons; however, his practice experience in the Big Ten Conference speaks volumes.The redshirt freshman joined the Cornhuskers as a three-star prospect from the 2024 class, hailing from the prestigious Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. He was recognized as one of the top 100 offensive tackles in the nation by 247Sports.Both offensive linemen are part of five new commitments for ASU. They will join Garner, along with former Georgia and Purdue redshirt cornerback Nyland Green and former Alabama redshirt freshman wide receiver Jaren Hamilton, who also committed to the Sun Devils on Monday.
