A New Era for Arizona State Football

In the heart of Tempe, a seismic shift is occurring within the Arizona State football program, one that is reshaping its identity and aspirations. Not long ago, the Sun Devils were synonymous with vibrant campus life and spirited frat parties, overshadowing their athletic endeavors. However, the arrival of head coach Kenny Dillingham has injected a newfound vigor into the program, signaling a transformative journey that aims to redefine what Arizona State football can achieve.

Kenny Dillingham’s Vision

Kenny Dillingham, donning a headset and fueled by determination, has taken the reins of a program that was struggling to find its footing. His first season, marked by a challenging 3-9 record, served as both a wake-up call and a foundation for future growth. Dillingham’s approach is not merely about winning games; it’s about instilling a culture of resilience and ambition. His vision extends beyond the field, as he seeks to elevate the Sun Devils into a competitive force within college football.

Dillingham’s leadership embodies a blend of strategic ingenuity and motivational prowess, inspiring players to embrace a winning mentality. He has made it clear that mediocrity is no longer acceptable; the goal is to cultivate a program that not only competes but thrives at the highest levels.

Cam Skattebo and the NIL Revolution

Integral to Dillingham’s vision is the emergence of players like Cam Skattebo, who is leading the charge in the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities. Skattebo’s influence goes beyond the gridiron; he represents a new generation of athletes who are capitalizing on their marketability while enhancing the program’s reputation. His proactive engagement in the NIL space is shattering misconceptions about Arizona State, illustrating that the Sun Devils are not just a party school but a burgeoning powerhouse in collegiate athletics.

The NIL revolution has become a game-changer, providing athletes with unprecedented opportunities to monetize their talents. For Arizona State, this means attracting top-tier talent and fostering an environment where players can thrive both on and off the field. Skattebo’s initiatives highlight the potential for the Sun Devils to not only compete in games but also in the broader narrative of college sports.

The Arrival of Sam Leavitt

Adding to the excitement surrounding Arizona State football is the anticipated arrival of quarterback Sam Leavitt. His decision to join the Sun Devils is a testament to the program’s revitalization under Dillingham’s guidance. Leavitt’s skill set and competitive spirit align perfectly with the vision Dillingham has for the team, promising to elevate the offensive capabilities and bring a fresh dynamic to the roster.

Leavitt’s commitment signifies more than just a new player; it represents a collective belief in the direction Arizona State is headed. As the program continues to attract talent, the potential for significant achievements in the coming seasons becomes increasingly tangible.

Looking Ahead

As Kenny Dillingham charts a new course for Arizona State football, the combination of strategic leadership, innovative athlete engagement through NIL, and the influx of promising talent like Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt is setting the stage for an exciting future. The Sun Devils are no longer defined by their past; instead, they are embracing a bold new identity that seeks to challenge the status quo in college football.

In this transformative era, Arizona State is poised to emerge as a formidable contender, not just in the Pac-12 but on a national scale. The journey ahead may be fraught with challenges, but with a clear vision and a commitment to excellence, the Sun Devils are ready to redefine their legacy. This is not just about football; it’s about building a program that resonates with ambition, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.

Mike Cagley, Co-Host Sports Spectacular

June 23, 2025

This was a slower week for college sports overall as now most of the work is being done behind the scenes to define the House settlement and try to calm the chaos around college sports.

It wasn’t a slow time for Bret Bielema and the Fighting Illini football program who earned commitments from Kayden Bennett, Kai Prichard, Isaiah Williams, and Nick Hankins. All are at least 3-star recruits, and most are 4-star recruits depending upon the ratings service you follow.

Bielema is on a recruiting hot streak that might have been equaled by Ron Zook and there’s a chance Bielema’s streak might possibly be the hottest an Illini football coach has been in…forever.

Hail Mary #1 – If the Illini Football Program’s Return to Greatness was a Movie…

The Illini football program is poised to return to greatness under Bret Bielema. It’s fair to say one can debate if the Illini football program has ever hit “greatness” in the first place. No matter the answer to the “greatness” question, certainly Bielema is the first accomplished college football coach on the Illini sidelines since John Mackovic put on the headset for Illinois.

If one were to make a movie of this season, of Bielema taking the Illini football program to the College Football Playoff, most would consider a CFP berth to be an obstacle that most fans would believe to be unthinkable. Why would they think that? Because it’s a goal that is so darn hard that the Illini haven’t ever approached achieving it.

To have a great movie, novel or story, you must have a great villain. The Illini have quite a few obstacles to overcome. When combined, these obstacles block the path to success in a way as threatening and intimidating as a Thanos-level villain would. Let’s take a look at the obstacles faced by the Illini:

• The Illini football program has never been great – it may have had fantastic players like Red Grange, Dick Butkus and David Williams – but the football program has never experienced sustained success.
• The football program has only had two solid coaches since 1980 – just Mike White and John Mackovic. The rest have created a massive hole for Bielema to lift the program out of. Thank goodness Josh Whitman chose Bret Bielema to head the Illini football program.
• The B1G is a top-heavy conference with sharks like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oregon and USC at the top trying to eat any competition that rises from the depths.
• The University of Illinois resides in a small town without the metro areas that Ohio State, USC and Michigan can rely upon for their NIL fundraising efforts.

In the movie world, obstacles like this don’t prevent the story from having a negative conclusion if there is a hero to overcome them. In fact, obstacles like these make the success at the end of the film ultimately creates the hero that the public wants.

Thus, the film also needs a hero. Bielema has ridden into town and single-handedly cleaned up the lawless city. Clint Eastwood couldn’t have done a better job.

Bielema has the Illini on the verge of a potentially historic season for Illinois. No one is guaranteeing the Illini will have their second 10-win season back-to-back. Even if the Illini make a bowl for the second season in a row or were to fall short of that mark, they are recruiting the building blocks of future success with each recruit that commits. The bottom line is that there’s a reason for hope in the future while enjoying this season’s success. The Fighting Illini are relevant again.

If there was a movie depicting this Illini football season, Illinois has two paths the plot might take:

1. Fall short of making a bowl and continue the up-and-down nature of Illini football.
2. Win enough to go to a bowl again and maybe even find a way to make the College Football Playoff.

Bielema has decided to follow the path of surrounding himself with successful coaches and players. He didn’t wait for the perfect day to arrive to begin his mission. He began this journey the day he started as the head football coach of the Fighting Illini, back when no one thought last season’s success was remotely possible.

This season is the time for no excuses and by overcoming the obstacles listed above, this year will make for an epic adventure. Coupled with these recruiting successes, it will be the first step of a mythic quest, not just one “high flying” season standing in the midst of ongoing mediocrity.

I think the 2025 Illini football season would make a great movie. The obstacles are there. So is the hero. The team is ready. In a Marvel movie, the heroes would yell, “Avengers, Assemble!” Later this summer, the Thing (of the Fantastic Four) will yell out, “It’s clobberin’ time!”

Lights! Camera! Action!

Heat Check #1 – NIL Could’ve (and Should’ve) Changed the NBA Draft in the Illini’s Favor – An Illini “What If”

We are seeing a reversal in the way the NBA Draft is looked at by collegiate basketball players and their agents. Yes, the “and their agents” part seems crazy to me, but who am I to fight the inevitable march of time and constant change?

There were 363 players who entered their names into the NBA draft early in 2021. This summer, just 106 players have entered the 2025 NBA Draft early. This is the lowest since 2016.

As we have talked on the “IlliniGuys Sports Spectacular” radio show and the “I on the Illini” podcasts, the ability to make money has not only made college more attractive to players, but their agents realize this is the way for many college players who aren’t a “lock” to be NBA players to maximize their earnings. Nowadays, there is no reason to risk a big NIL payday for a G League deal that starts around $40,000 a year or an NBA two-way contract that could make them around $600,000.

How times have changed. The NIL dollars can be substantial with deals that dwarf the $600,000 best case option for players on the edge. This means we will see college teams become deeper (if they can afford it) and become older (if they can afford it). Overall, the college game will get better, teams will be more experienced, and the quality of ball will improve.

Not everything is bad about the NIL world.

The biggest “what if” is what if Kofi Cockburn had been surrounded by competent advisors when his time to choose between the NBA Draft and staying at Illinois with a superior NIL deal in place for him.

Kofi improved each year by 3 – 4 points per game and a rebound a game. If he had taken advantage of the two additional years he could’ve played, Kofi might have averaged 24 points and 11 games his senior year and 27 and 12 his COVID year. He might’ve been the NCAA all-time leader in rebounds – and who knows how good the Illini might’ve been. While he wasn’t an NBA player, Kofi was an incredible collegiate player.

The NBA Draft has been changed forever by the effects of NIL. Illini fans just wish Kofi’s advisors had been smart enough to see what most Illini fans that the NIL deal was the better deal.

If the Bruins had won either of the top two slots in the lottery, we’d be able to narrow down their choice pretty easily. The top two picks are locked in, at least according to most draftniks and mock drafters. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer and center Michael Misa are slated to go 1-2.

But after that, it’s a free-for-all. Opinions differ wildly about where certain players will go between No. 3 and No. 10. The B’s, who got bumped down two slots from their fifth-worst finish to have the No. 7 overall pick, should get a decent prospect in that spot (unless they trade out of it, of course). History, however, says that there will be a lemon or two in the top 10. Given their situation, it is imperative the B’s avoid them.

Here are eight players whom the B’s could draft on Friday night. Given the organizational need to draft and develop on a No. 1 centerman, we’ve listed the pivots first. Other than that, there is no order:

* Brady Martin, C, Soo Greyhounds , OHL – There was a day when the Bruins’ lineup was dominated by good ol’ Canadian farm boys. Not so much anymore. After Brad Marchand left, Morgan Geekie, Parker Wotherspoon and newly acquired Fraser Minten were the only players from Canada on the roster down the stretch. Not that great players aren’t being produced all around the world, including right in our own backyard, but Martin would be a throw-back Bruin-type. Raised on an Ontario dairy farm, Martin is now a strapping 6-foot, 186-pound right shot centerman. He was played in all situations for the Greyhounds, notching 33-39-72 totals in 57 games. Martin is a tough, hard-hitting player player who plays a well-rounded game. At the scouting combine, Martin confirmed that the B’s took him out to dinner that week, so the team is at least intrigued by the player.

* Jake O’Brien, C, Brantford Bulldogs, OHL – The 6-foot-2, 177-pound right-shot O’Brien has some David Krejci-like characteristics. He’s a cerebral, pass-first pivot who has the ability to slow the game down, ripping up the OHL for 32-66-98 totals in 66 games. He has high-end vision and hockey IQ. A little lanky, O’Brien could use some strengthening, especially in his lower body, that would improve his skating. Overall, his spindly frame needs some filling out to help in battles, even though he’s shown a willingness to stick his nose into those. And, if he’s going to be a centerman, he needs to improve on faceoffs after finishing below 45%.

* Caleb Desnoyers, C, Moncton Wildcats, QMJHL – The 6-foot-2, 178 pound left-shot pivot led Moncton to the Q championship before the Wildcats fell to the London Knights in the Memorial Cup. He topped Moncton with 35-49-84 totals in 56 games. Pretty good totals for a player who’d been dealing with two injured wrists since November. While some have given him the rather backhanded compliment of being the “safe” pick, one scout said recently, “He’s the guy you want on the ice in the last minute taking the defensive zone draw and protecting a one-goal lead. He’s a winner.” Some mock drafts have him going higher than where the B’s are picking at No. 7, some have him going below. If he’s there at 7, the B’s should pounce.

* James Hagens, C, Boston College – Hagens began last season ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the world. Unlike Macklin Celebrini, who went first overall last June, he wasn’t a freshman phenom. He was just merely very, very good for the Eagles, starting on BC’s top line as a 17-year-old. He tumbled a little bit, as Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa overtook him. But he will be a top-10 pick, it’s just a matter of where he goes. Centering first-rounders Ryan Leonard and Gabriel Perrault, he had 11-26-37 totals in 37 games for the Eagles. Those numbers suggest a pass-first mentality but, if you’re playing with those two players, it makes sense to get them the puck. At 5-foot-11, 177-pounds, inside ice is not the easiest to access for him but he’s got an impressive skill level.

* Anton Frondell, C, Djurarden, Swe-2 – Some have Frondell going in the top three, others are not so enamored of the solid 6-foot, 196-pound left-shot pivot. He’s had some inconsistency to his game, both in club and international play. While there’s a question as to how big of an impact Frondell will have, there seems to be little doubt that he’s an NHL player. But is he a lead dog or a middle-six center? Unlike some centers in this batch, he’s of the shoot-first variety who can beat the goalie from distance. He’s one of the heavier-playing centers but concerns about his fitness level were calmed by a strong scouting combine earlier this month.

* Roger McQueen, C, Brandon Wheat Kings, WHL – The 6-foot-5, 197-pound right-shot pivot has perhaps the greatest upside of anyone in the draft, but he also carries the biggest red flag. He missed most of the past season in Brandon with back problems. When he played, he was good, recording 10-10-20 in 17 games, but he just didn’t play enough. The B’s wouldn’t exactly be going off the board with McQueen – most mock drafts having him going in the top dozen – but it would take a pretty good gamble from GM Don Sweeney. They also drafted a similarly-framed center last season with Dean Letourneau, who struggled to produce from a fourth line spot at BC.

* Porter Martone, RW, Brampton, OHL – One of the non-centers on this list of possibilities, Martone is the kind of power forward over which many Bruins fans salivate. He’s 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds and, as that size suggests, he’s not that fleet of foot, but he brings a physicality. But he’s also got high-end skill and playmaking abilities, potting 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games. That combo of size and skill may trigger a team to take him before No. 7, but it will be interesting if he’s still around when the B’s are picking.

* Victor Eklund, LW, Djurgarden, Swe-2 – The B’s may have their quota of small and skilled Swedish wingers filled with Fabian Lysell, but the 5-foot-11, 165-pound Eklund is billed as a player who punches above his weight class. He’s a high-energy, ultra-competitive player who has the potential to drive a line from the wing. As a teammate of Frondell’s, Eklund had 19-12-31 totals in 42 games for Djurgarden. While the heart has not been questioned, there is no getting around the size disadvantage. He will need to get stronger. But the burst and creativity he has could be enticing.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A sea of red took over Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday as thousands of Florida Panthers fans gathered to celebrate a historic moment: back-to-back Stanley Cup championships.

From first-time spectators to lifelong season ticket holders, each fan had their own story that made the parade personal.

WATCH BELOW: Fans celebrate ‘amazing’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships

Panther fans celebrate ‘amazing’ back-to-back Stanley Cup championships

Children danced, parents set up lawn chairs, and young fans dreamed big.

“Is the trophy heavy?” WPTV reporter Matt Sczesny asked young fan Owen.

“No,” he replied, beaming.

“Do you play hockey, Owen?” Sczesny asked Owen.

“Yes, I’m learning,” he said.

For fans like Owen, the championship win is a spark that could ignite a lifelong love for the game.

But for others, the celebration was the payoff after decades of loyalty.

“Season ticket holders since day one. We’ve seen it all, highs, lows, all of those years not winning anything. So these last few years have been amazing,” one fan shared.

The energy was electric, the message clear: South Florida is officially a hockey town.

“This is a great moment for South Florida that proves we are a hockey town, and we love it!” one fan shouted proudly.

“We have been fans since ’93, ’94 when they started. We have been absolute rockstar fans! We love you!” another added.

The celebration welcomed both long-time loyalists and brand-new supporters.

“I recently got into hockey this year, and I saw the Finals for the first time,” one fan said.

And while winning one Stanley Cup was historic, winning it twice was euphoric.

“Back-to-back champions, baby, WOOOO!” a fan screamed over the crowd.

Under sunny skies, a welcome contrast to last year’s rain-soaked parade, fans waved flags, wore jerseys, and held up mini Stanley Cups with pride.

“We wouldn’t miss it for the world. We were here last year and remember the rain, so it can’t be beat,” one fan said.

From scorching heat to soaring spirits, the celebration was more than a victory lap; it was a show of heart from a growing hockey community.

Read more of WPTV’s coverage of the Florida Panthers’ second straight title win:

On Friday night, a lifelong dream will come true for James Hagens.

The only question is how early.

The 18-year-old from Boston College is a no-doubt first-rounder in the NHL Entry Draft. The No. 3 ranked North American skater according to NHL Central Scouting, Hagens falls between No. 2 overall and No. 5 in most pre-draft rankings. In a poll at The Athletic, evaluators were unanimous in voting Hagens as the “best hands” in his entire class.

No matter where Hagens goes, he’s going to relish the moment.

That’s the advice he’s received from Boston College teammates like Ryan Leonard, Gabriel Perreault, and Jacob Fowler, all of whom have been drafted in the early rounds over the past two seasons.

“They all say the same thing: Just be grateful. Take it all in,” Hagens said. “It goes by quick. This summer is a little crazy, but this is something you’ll remember for the rest of your life. So these are all really special moments that you have to make sure you cherish with yourself and your family. It’s just something to be grateful for.”

Hagens has a chance to be drafted the highest of the bunch.

‘I’ve had to work for everything’

The son of two teachers, Hagens grew up on Long Island in Hauppauge, NY. His father, Michael, played defenseman for Division III SUNY-Brockport (1997-2000), and was quick to get the family hooked on hockey.

He built a backyard rink and all three of his children took to it.

Hagens’ older brother, Michael, is also a defenseman at Boston College, while his younger sister Emma plays at the Portledge School. Growing up they ventured to Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum and Hagens had a picture with Matt Martin on his bedroom wall. A playmaking forward on the smaller side, he liked watching clips of Blackhawks star Patrick Kane.

After being coaching by his father on the Long Island Royals, Hagens starred at Rhode Island powerhouse Mount St. Charles and the US National Development Team Program before landing at Boston College as a 17-year-old last fall. Feeling he’d accomplished enough after two seasons of juniors, he was ready to raise the bar.

“I wanted to be challenged at the college level,” Hagens said. “I wanted to join Boston College and I wanted to be pushed every day, playing against guys that are older and stronger that will push you and get you ready for the NHL… I knew that it would be the best step in getting me ready.”

Though it all, Hagens has carried a work ethic his parents instilled in him at a young age. When he attended the NHL Combine in June, he was hopeful that it stood out to teams.

“Just how high my compete level is,” Hagens said. “I love winning. I will do anything to win. Something that’s helped me get to the point where I am today is just how hard I’ve been able to work my whole life.

“Nothing has ever come easy. I’ve had to work for everything that I’ve ever gotten before. And that’s something I’m super grateful for. That’s something that’s just within my family. That’s something I was raised up, taught from my parents and my coaches. So going into those meetings, just really expressing how hard I compete and how badly I want to be on a team and hopefully win a Stanley Cup someday.”

‘He has that fire’

When Hagens arrived at Conte Forum, his new coach Greg Brown was struck by his demeanor right away.

“He’s a happy kid,” Brown said. “He comes into the rink every day with a smile. Just excited to be there. You can feel his positive energy when he comes into the locker room.”

As a teenager playing in rough-and-tumble Hockey East, Hagens acclimated to the competition quickly. He was named the Rookie of the Month in November, and once he returned from an exceptional World Juniors tournament — five goals, four assists en route to a Gold Medal — in January, Brown saw Hagens raise the bar even higher.

“You could see when games were tight, that he would elevate and really want to assert himself and try and take over the game,” Brown said. “Or (have) a major impact in the game. So he has that competitiveness. He has that fire.”

Hagens wound up with 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games as a freshman. The goal total wasn’t huge, but Hagens was centering a line with NHL-bound wingers in Leonard and Perrault. He was happy to make the right play to set a teammate up. Hagens just wanted the 27-8-2 Eagles to win games.

Though it wasn’t a Macklin-Celebrini-style explosion, he was pleased to be producing at a point-per-game rate given the level of competition he was facing.

“You’re playing against guys that are 25, 24-year-olds every night,” Hagens said. “It’s tough. It’s hard hockey, but I’m super grateful to be able to have the year I was able to have with the group of guys we did have.”

Away from the rink, there was one other thing that stood out to Brown.

“He cares,” Brown said. “He cares about his teammates. He wants to do the right things. He wants to learn. There’s a lot of — it’s not just going out there to show off his skill package. He wants to play the right way within the frame of the game and that’s not always easy for guys who grow up always being the best guy on the ice. He wants to understand the big picture of how it all works and then be able to be as big a factor as he can within that framework.”

‘Getting drafted has been my dream’

Now comes the uncertainty for Hagens.

After earning spots on the US Development Team and at Boston College, he won’t have agency in where he’s drafted. It could be his hometown Islanders at No. 1 overall, the Bruins at No. 7, or anywhere from East Coast to West.

If he slides to Boston, Hagens said he’d be embrace being a Bruin.

“I love Boston,” Hagens said. “Being at Boston College, we’re right in the middle of Boston there. So it’s a beautiful city. Only great things to say about it. I love it there.”

After the draft, Hagens said he doesn’t know if he’ll be back in Chestnut Hill for another season. That’s a conversation he’ll need to have with the team that drafts him and his family. NHL teams retain the rights of their draft picks throughout their college careers, so there’s no rush for most selections.

Brown would certainly welcome him back with open arms.

“He’s a driver on our team,” Brown said. “A key guy. All over the ice, but especially in offensive situations. He’s able to create offense where there seems to be none, and that’s not an easy thing to do. I also think he would grow his leadership in the locker room and on the ice coming back as a sophomore.”

Over the past year, there’s been plenty of speculation about where he’ll land next, but Hagens is doing his best to embrace the noise. Sooner or later, he knows his name will be called, and he’ll be one step closer to the NHL.

“Honestly, you just kinda have to be grateful about it,” Hagens said. “Being able to hear your name in those conversations and obviously leading up to the draft now, being allowed the opportunity to get drafted into any organization in the league, it’s something you have to be grateful for. It’s one step in your process, but you just have to be ready.

“Getting drafted has been my dream my whole entire life. That’s why I started playing hockey. That’s why I still play. I’m really just grateful for everything right now. The noise will always be there, but you just have to make sure you’re living in the moment.”