"That would've hurt their chances": ASU coach Kenny Dillingham issues a refreshing stance on players entering transfer portal early 

Kenny Dillingham led Arizona State to the Big 12 championship on Saturday. The Sun Devils blew out Iowa State 45-19 at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas. This earned the team an automatic spot in the College Football Playoff, earning the No. 4 seed and a first-round bye.

With the superb performances of the team's players this season, they've caught the attention of bigger programs around the landscape. Dillingham is giving his players the opportunity to enter the transfer portal ahead of their playoff schedule to secure better opportunities.

"I want you to have the best opportunity to find a spot. You can go in day one right now, we'll help you find a spot, and stay on our football team if you want to stay on our football team and let's go on this ride together the rest of the way," Dillingham said.

"But I didn't want those guys to feel like they had to wait to go in because they wanted an opportunity to have a bigger role for a program until after the CFP. I think that would've hurt their chances. So I made it clear to the guys that you can stay on the team as long as you do what you're supposed to do."

Kenny Dillingham calls on Arizona State to level up its NIL game

2024 Big 12 Championship - Iowa State v Arizona State - Source: Getty

Having a strong NIL collective has become increasingly important in the world of college football. To recruit and keep the best players, a strong financial package has to be in place. This has become the open secret to winning and maintaining success in the landscape.

It’s become difficult for Arizona State to keep its top players following its recent success. The program is already seeing some of its players make their way to the portal ahead of the playoffs schedule. To prevent this, Kenny Dillingham believes the school has to step up its NIL game.

"It’s unfortunate that those kids that want to be Sun Devils, some of them are going to have to face questions of ‘do I want to be a Sun Devil more than I want another $300,000?’ Dillingham said.

"If this community wants a winner and wants to continue to have a winner, then they’re going to have to step up and continue to step up because they already have stepped up. But the only unfortunate thing is we keep winning, and it's funny that when you keep winning, it gets more expensive to win. It’s amazing how that happens.”

As the transfer portal's window gains momentum, Kenny Dillingham acknowledged that while it's an issue beyond his control, he is focused on adapting and navigating the evolving landscape effectively. The Sun Devils will take on the winner of Texas vs Clemson in the Peach Bowl.