Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham faced significant challenges in reshaping his secondary following substantial losses during the winter transfer portal period.In the past month, ASU experienced the departure of four defensive backs, including two cornerbacks and two safeties. The team suffered notable setbacks at safety with the loss of redshirt sophomore Kamari Wilson to Memphis and versatile sophomore defensive back Cole Martin to UCLA. Additionally, at cornerback, the Sun Devils bid farewell to junior Laterrance “LT” Welch, who was dismissed from the team for violating team rules after transferring from LSU in 2023, along with new Buffalo signee Keontez Bradley.
Dillingham and the Sun Devils addressed the gap in their safety position by bringing in experienced redshirt freshman Adrian “Boogie” Wilson from Washington State in December. He is optimistic that ASU’s recent additions will help mitigate the losses at cornerback.On Monday, former Purdue redshirt junior cornerbacks Kyndrich Breedlove and Nyland Green both committed to Arizona State.
Breedlove and Green are among 12 transfer commitments made during the winter transfer portal window, joining the Sun Devils on the same day as former Alabama redshirt freshman wide receiver Jaren Hamilton.Both cornerbacks are familiar with the transfer process. Green is on his second transfer, having initially signed with Georgia as a highly sought-after high school prospect, ranked as the No. 2 cornerback nationally in the 2020 class by 247Sports. For Breedlove, Arizona State marks his fourth school; he began at Ole Miss as a three-star recruit in 2021 before transferring to Colorado and then Purdue.Breedlove earned the starting cornerback position at Purdue at the start of the season and was one of the few bright spots during their challenging 1-11 campaign. He had a standout year with three interceptions, 40 tackles, and four pass deflections. Prior to Purdue, he recorded 12 tackles and a forced fumble during his single season at Colorado and played ten games at Ole Miss, where he made one tackle.Green originally committed to Georgia before transferring to Purdue in December 2023. This past season was his most productive, with 23 tackles, five pass deflections, two sacks, and a forced fumble before entering the portal again. His first transfer followed a four-year stint at Georgia, where he accumulated 13 tackles and two pass deflections.The addition of these redshirt juniors represents the sixth and seventh Power 4 signings for the Sun Devils this winter, alongside Hamilton, sophomore tight end Khamari Anderson (Kentucky), and redshirt freshmen My’Keil Garner (Oregon), Xander Ruggeroli (Nebraska), and Noble Johnson (Clemson). Boogie Wilson’s commitment from Washington State could also be included in this group.Regardless of whether their safety signing is considered, the Sun Devils have effectively dispelled the idea that the Big 12 cannot compete with other Power 4 conferences, transforming ASU into an appealing destination for players from other leagues seeking better opportunities.
