CJ Fite returns with expanded leadership role as ‘cornerstone’ of ASU defense

TEMPE — There isn’t an Arizona State football player returning this season that was closer to entering the 2026 NFL Draft than defensive lineman C.J. Fite.

The 6-foot-2, 310-pound preseason All-Big 12 pick is primed to capitalize on his fourth season in coordinator Brian Ward’s defense and as an unquestioned leader embodying the culture head coach Kenny Dillingham wants his group to strive for.

“The biggest thing I’d say about C.J. is he’s so unselfish. He’s so giving of everybody,” defensive line coach Diron Reynolds said Thursday. “Trying to give guys rides, trying to make sure everybody shows up on time, putting more pressure on himself.

“But not only is he doing that, he’s leading by example. He’s showing the younger guys how to take care of their bodies. He’s one of the first ones in the training room every morning, injury or no injury.”

a look at c.j. fite and his fellow arizona state defensive linemen working get-off and impact on day 2 of fall camp pic.twitter.com/4Tr3GGTPJ3

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) August 6, 2026

Reynolds also pointed to how Fite refined his body over the summer, cutting fat while adding muscle to arrive at a listing that’s five pounds ahead of where he was as a junior (305 pounds).

That’s a major frame improvement coming off his most productive season from a tackles for loss standpoint (6.5), while his total tackles (29) and sacks (one) were each one shy of his 2024 total during the Big 12 title season that included one extra game.

PFF’s Trevor Sikkema viewed Fite as a top-80 overall prospect near the end of the 2025 season. Now that he’s a prospect for the 2027 draft, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has Fite pegged as the 12th-best senior defensive tackle.

“It’s great to have him back. He’s kind of the cornerstone of this defense,” Reynolds said. “He’s what it’s all about inside. I can’t wait to see the kind of numbers he puts up this season.”

He’s anchored a defense that has been one of the Big 12’s best against the run since ASU moved to the conference two seasons ago. ASU led the conference in 2024 (112.9 rushing yards per game allowed) and was third behind title game participants Texas Tech and BYU in 2025 (124).

As Clayton Smith, Fite’s longtime running mate on the ASU defensive line, returns too, a lot will be expected out of a veteran group to keep the production near the top of the league.

CJ Fite bringing other ASU defensive linemen along

It doesn’t take long when observing ASU’s practices to see Fite coaching up the younger players at his position, and he’s a willing listener when others have tips for him too.

Doughless (pronounced like Douglas) Teloma is making the switch from offensive line to the defensive side this fall. “Big Doug,” as the 6-foot-5, 380-pounder is known, got a quick crash course from Fite on arm placement following get-off drills.

After practice, it was Fite getting pointers from Baylor transfer Emar’rion Winston, one of multiple additions with proven Power Four production.

“I got a lot of coaches that are on the field,” Reynolds said. “Guys that come from other programs know they got to get up to speed with what we’re doing, so they jumped on board really quick learning the playbook.

“Not only that, they’re being leaders with the younger guys. There’s no selfish guys in my room. … We tell the young guys all the time, if you’re not attaching yourself to one of these older guys, you’re missing the boat. Because at some point, you’re going to be the guy.”

Michigan State transfer Jalen Thompson, who falls into the same experienced category as Winston, was previously coached by Reynolds when he was a freshman. The coach said Thompson has come a long way since then, especially in terms of his mentality having played in three different systems.

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