ASU football adds 2 players days before fall camp, parts ways with another

Arizona State’s roster for this season was solidified with the additions of cornerback Nasir Stephens and offensive lineman Filiva’a “Suka” Lokotui ahead of fall camp opening on Wednesday.

Their arrivals come as ASU parted ways with Michigan State transfer Chance Rucker due to internal team standards issues, Sun Devil Source’s Chris Karpman reported. Rucker was competing for a role in the two-deep rotation when he arrived this spring.

Stephens helps fill the cornerback depth following Rucker’s departure, taking a roster spot that ASU had open due to an injury hardship after defensive lineman MyKeil Gardner ruptured his Achilles.

The 6-foot-1 Stephens did not see the field for Utah in 2024 before he transferred to JUCO Cerritos College, where he had 19 tackles, a forced fumble and a pass defensed in 2025.

Lokotui, who is listed at 6-foot-5 and 275 pounds, was on a two-year church mission. He signed with ASU in 2024 under the last name Saluni.

In June, the Sun Devils got a late addition when freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Johnson flipped his commitment from Navy.

The three summer additions will likely be depth pieces for 2026.

ASU roster could see another shakeup with special transfer portal

A Friday court order out of Colorado granted another season of eligibility to high school class of 2022 players whose college careers ended last spring. The NCAA is working to appeal the preliminary injunction, but a special transfer portal window will be open Aug. 3-10 if it stands.

The ASU football players this would apply to are safety Myles “Ghost” Rowser, linebacker Jordan Crook and defensive lineman Jacob Rich Kongaika. All three were starters in 2025 with Rowser and Crook earning all-conference honors.

Pro situations — such as Crook’s in the Canadian Football League — could prove to be roadblocks, however.

Because the Colorado case included language that the newly established roster limits (105 for football) would not be enforced against the impacted players, teams could add from the special portal without concern toward whether roster spots are open.

On the basketball side, ASU men’s guards Moe Odum and Pig Johnson plan to enter the portal, while women’s guard Marley Washenitz is exploring options for a return to college.

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