ASU sends Golden Tickets to class of 2028 players, designating top in-state targets

Arizona State football planted its flag on who it recognizes as the top high school players in the state for the 2028 class, sending out several Golden Tickets beginning after midnight on Monday.

June 15 marked the first day that coaches could contact class of 2028 prospects with recruiting information. Recipients began self-reporting their tickets as soon as about 12:35 a.m. with a video designed specifically for each player.

I am Blessed to receive a Golden Ticket and my 30th Division 1 offer from @KennyDillingham @ASUFootball!!! @AZcoachHenri @DEdgeFootball @1CoachCecil pic.twitter.com/XPo2eYF3Xa

— Nekhi Lambeth (@NekhiLambeth) June 15, 2026

Head coach Kenny Dillingham views the tickets as a way to tell players how much they’re valued with an “actionable item,” rather than just telling them behind closed doors that they’re a top target.

Recipients have “bankable offers” with the ticket, whereas Dillingham says many other teams’ offers this early on are more often just camp invites to get closer looks.

Six Arizona high school players received Golden Tickets in 2027, the inaugural class for the tactic. Basha offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand, viewed by recruiting sites as the top 2027 player in the state, was the only one to cash his in.

A tangible element to the tickets was recently added with a one-ounce gold coin where Hildebrand’s signature will be featured on packaging. There will only be five coins made; Hildebrand will receive one of his own and the other four will be auctioned off to ASU donors.

Scottsdale-based CSN Mint partnered with Dillingham on the coin in an effort to reinforce the Golden Ticket campaign and show other local businesses that they should get behind ASU’s coach, CEO Scott Miller told the Sun Devil Source Podcast.

Which Arizona high school players received Golden Tickets from ASU?

Placements are via 247 Sports’ composite rankings, unless otherwise noted. High school stats are via MaxPreps.

Hamilton CB Keaton Fields

Nation: No. 16 Position: No. 2 State: No. 2

Fields has extraordinary length at 6-foot-3, even for a typical five-star prospect at the position.

He had 43 tackles (six for a loss) along with four interceptions, five passes defensed and one forced fumble across 10 games.

Basha EDGE Landen Wade

Nation: No. 23 Position: No. 6 State: No. 3

A five-star prospect at EDGE already listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Wade stuffed the stat sheet in limited action as a sophomore (eight games). He totaled 24 tackles, 12 for a loss, four sacks and a pass defensed.

Wade was in Tempe for an ASU visit earlier in June, and he’ll line up across from a high-profile ASU commit in Hildebrand in practices this fall.

Desert Edge CB Nekhi Lambeth

Nation: No. 147 Position: No. 15 State: No. 5

The 6-foot cornerback is one of several at his position who will participate in the Navy All-American Bowl, where he’ll likely have Hildebrand (participating in the game for the second time) in his ear trying to keep him home.

Lambeth had two interceptions, three passes defensed and 18 tackles, including one for a loss, in 11 games as a sophomore.

Mesa EDGE Sione Taueli

Nation: No. 367 Position: No. 38 State: No. 7

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound EDGE prospect has a future Sun Devil teammate at Mesa in Anetema.

“They just recently introduced (tickets) to me, and the way they explained it makes it feel more special than a regular offer,” Taueli told Arizona Sports. “It was a nice experience from Dillingham.”

His very productive sophomore season included 65 tackles, 15.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks and 17 QB hurries in 11 games.

Hamilton S Kacey Allen Jr.

Nation: No. 367 Position: No. 32 State: No. 7

Allen combined with Fields made part of a very talented Hamilton secondary.

The 6-foot-1 DB had a productive sophomore season with 79 tackles, nine for a loss, four interceptions and eight passes defensed. He was also a special teams threat with four blocked punts and one blocked field goal.

Horizon OT Liam McNeal

Nation: No. — Position: No. 48 State: No. 11 (per Rivals)

McNeal is a bit behind when it comes to weight for a tackle (240 pounds), but he has the length (6-foot-7) to suggest he can handle a more filled out frame.

He’s shown some of his long-term upside at big man showcases this offseason, and he had an unofficial visit where he was able to start familiarizing himself with coaches.

“I was very impressed with ASU and their coaching staff with their Golden Ticket program,” McNeal told Arizona Sports. “I haven’t seen anything like it in any other program. … It means a lot to me.”

Basha WR Makai Nelson

Nation: No. — Position: No. — State: No. —

Nelson is yet to be evaluated by recruiting sites, as he is yet to play a snap of varsity football. He has used 7-on-7 competitions during the offseason to garner attention.

He attended Chandler High his first year of high school, where he played on the freshman squad. He then transferred to Mountain Pointe and had to sit the year due to AIA transfer rules. He’s poised to break out playing for the defending Open Division state champs at Basha.

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