Arizona State football lands 4-star wide receiver recruit Nico Bland

Consensus 2027 four-star wide receiver recruit Nico Bland has committed to Arizona State football, he announced on Tuesday.

Bland picked ASU football over Washington, UCLA and Utah, among others.

Let’s goooooooo!!!!!!!Great way to start the 27 class!!! #ActivateTheValley #SunDevil4LIFE pic.twitter.com/ovIf2krcAI

— Coach Dillingham (@KennyDillingham) December 2, 2025

The 6-foot-1 receiver out of Orange Lutheran in Southern California caught 57 passes for 832 yards (14.6 average) and seven touchdowns during his junior season, according to MaxPreps.

247Sports has him ranked No. 90 in his class, while ESPN has him 148th and Rivals 188th.

Via 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins:

Explosive athlete who clocked career best times of 10.69-100m and 21.95-200m last spring. Had a dominant workout at the SoCal All-22 workout showing not just speed but explosive route running ability. Has deep speed but can set up an opposing corner and is comfortable running every route in the route tree. Shows off natural hands and runs well after the catch. Has a strong frame, can get off press and catch the ball through contact.

Nico Bland had some nasty reps on his way to winning WR MVP at UA Next in Los Angeles. Showing off his route running ability and hands 🔥

He’s a class of 2027 wideout for Orange Lutheran High School (CA)@Nicobland2 | #UANext pic.twitter.com/fK3mkeRfSi

— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) May 6, 2025

Bland is the first hard commit for ASU football in the class of 2027.

He told Adam Gorney of Rivals that ASU wide receivers coach Hines Ward played a key role in his decision, noting that Ward compared him to star Sun Devil Jordyn Tyson.

“This whole season, he’s been calling and texting me every week just checking up on me. He watched my film and he’s already talking about what he can do to make me better. … He thinks I can be even better than Jordyn Tyson.”

Arizona State football has a top-40 ranked recruiting class for 2026 on 247Sports and Rivals, as the program continues to build on its growth from head coach Kenny Dillingham’s first three seasons.

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