Kenny Dillingham confident in ASU’s WR room despite Jordyn Tyson’s absence

As Arizona State football prepares without receiver Jordyn Tyson for its matchup against Houston on Saturday, head coach Kenny Dillingham remains confident in his wide receivers’ ability to step up in Tyson’s absence.

Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta on Friday that he is confident in quarterback Sam Leavitt’s ability to connect with the other receivers due to the experience of playing without Tyson last year after he went down with a season-ending injury in the Territorial Cup.

“Last year, we had Xavier Guillory and Melquan Stovall and when JT went out at the end of last year, those guys stepped up against Iowa State in the Big 12 Championship Game and there was an instant connection through the works,” Dillingham said.

In the two games Tyson missed last season, Leavitt put up decent numbers completing 36 of 63 passes for over 440 yards with four touchdowns.

With Tyson out Saturday, some of Leavitt’s top receiving options against Houston include Jaren Hamilton, Derek Eusebio, Jalen Moss and Malik McClain along with tight end Chamon Metayer and running back Raleek Brown.

ASU’s receivers have struggled this season to get production outside of Tyson as no other receiver has more than seven receptions. Metayer is the only other player with a receiving touchdown this season.

Dillingham said that he hopes the Houston game will build some connection between Leavitt and the receivers room that will elevate the offense once Tyson returns.

“I’m hoping this week builds a relationship, builds a connection with some of those guys and we can hopefully get JT back in the future and when we get him back, now there’s JT and the connection with these guys that we’ve been working with,” Dillingham said.

Dillingham praises Tyson for staying involved with team

Dillingham said that even though Tyson will not play on Saturday, he’s been very active with the other receivers in practice this week.

“We got to have other guys step up and he’s been out there at every practice talking to guys, helping guys see how he sees the game,” Dillingham said. “Even though he’s not physically there, he’s gonna be there emotionally because he’s a competitive individual.”

Tyson has been one of the best wide receivers in the college football this season, registering a Big 12-leading 57 passes for 628 yards and eight touchdowns. He has been projected by several NFL writers to be the first receiver taken in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“Getting to watch him is crazy on the sideline,” Dillingham said. “It’s like watching a dude do something that shouldn’t be able to be done.

“So to be able to watch him on the sideline every week is a blessing for me. It’s a blessing to everyone that gets to watch him because he’s a special player.”

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