Iowa State transfer gets 1st-team center reps as ASU looks for ‘best 5’ on OL

TEMPE — Arizona State football continued to cycle through center options on Monday as it searches for its “best five” up front.

All-conference center Leif Fautanu was one of the only starters the Sun Devils had to replace on offense this fall, and Ben Coleman was in line for the job as a vocal leader seemingly attached at the hip to Fautanu in 2024.

But after some bad snaps during Saturday’s Camp T scrimmage, Coleman was pulled from the spot in favor of redshirt sophomore Makua Pule.

Wade Helton got first-team reps on Monday for the first time and impressed considering he transferred from Iowa State over the summer and didn’t have the benefit of spring camp.

iowa state transfer wade helton (64) working with ol coach saga tuitele.

helton has taken first-team center reps today with ben coleman back at left guard after coleman was pulled from center during the camp t scrimmage. pic.twitter.com/dWbbmyHNZL

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) August 11, 2025

“He’s looked good,” coach Kenny Dillingham said of Helton after practice. “He’s new, so you have to make calls and then our interior D-line, we got some good players in there and they know a lot of the plays and how we block things which makes it even harder.

“When you get thrown in with the 1s that know a little bit of what you do, it’s even more challenging than gameday.”

Offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said Helton’s experience at Iowa State with a physical, successful line that at times plays similarly to ASU’s has made for a smooth transition.

Dillingham on Saturday emphasized the importance of consistent snap placement as a shotgun team, and Helton’s snaps seemed to hit quarterback Sam Leavitt’s hands in the same spot each time.

“I just focus on making the right calls and playing my hardest,” Helton told Arizona Sports. “Really appreciative to Ben and Kyle (Scott) and all the other guys to help me out through the process.”

Arizona State still views Ben Coleman as core part of OL

If Coleman can’t stick at center, he’ll almost certainly land back at left guard, where he was ASU’s best pass blocker and was near its best run blocker last season, per PFF.

kenny dillingham breaks down the center shuffling as just trying to find a way to have the best five offensive linemen on the field, whether that puts ben coleman at center or guard.

also talked about how helton’s done as a summer transfer. https://t.co/yS4Jotn0iT pic.twitter.com/8yE7LGrkf0

— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) August 11, 2025

It’s also where he lined up Monday in the first-team reps when Helton snapped.

“We’re just trying to mix and match the best five,” Dillingham said. “The best five may be (Coleman) at center, the best five may be him at guard.

“I know the best five has him involved in it. I think he was one of the best offensive linemen in our league last year.”

Texas State transfer Jimeto Obigbo, who has had some false start issues but otherwise has looked solid, played left guard for the majority of Coleman’s snaps at center.

Should Coleman end up at left guard, ASU will have its four returning starters in the same spots they started the Peach Bowl: left tackle Josh Atkins, left guard Coleman, right guard Scott and right tackle Max Iheanachor.

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