Which ASU football players have made preseason watch lists?

It is "Watch List" season as college football nears its start. With the success Arizona State football had last season, several players are being singled out. The Sun Devils won their first Big 12 title last season and are expected to contend again since 17 starters are returning.

Lists are not final. Players can be added at any point in the season.

Here is a list of which ones have been highlighted. We will update this page as more lists are released.

Other release dates:

• Aug. 4: Walter Camp Award
• Aug. 5: Doak Walker Award
• Aug. 6: Biletnikoff Award
• Aug. 7: Davey O’Brien Award
• Aug. 8: Mackey Award/Rimington Trophy
• Aug. 11: Bednarik Award 

Lou Groza Award

New Arizona State kicker Jesus Gomez has been named to the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award, which goes annually to the nation's top kicker.

Gomez, a native of Puebla, Mexico, transferred to ASU from Eastern Michigan, where he played three seasons. He hit 80% (46-for-58) with a best of at least 55 yards in all three seasons at Eastern Michigan. The past season, he connected on 20 of 25 tries with a best of 57 yards coming in a loss at Washington.

The honor has been given out annually since 1992 and stands as the most prestigious award for collegiate kickers. The recipient is determined by a voting panel that includes NCAA Division I football head coaches, sportswriters, sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers and previous award winners.

Jim Thorpe Award

Arizona State senior safety Xavion Alford has been named to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List.

The award goes annually to the nation's top defensive back. This watch list includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing nine conferences and one independent university. The preseason watch list is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players based on previous performance in NCAA Division I college football and preseason All-America lists.

Alford is in his third year in the ASU program, but he had to sit out his first year after a second Division I transfer. Last season, the 6-foot, 200-pound Texas native recorded 85 tackles, two interceptions and defended five passes. He was a first-team All-Big 12 selection.

Alford was an All-Big 12 first-team preseason selection this season. He was voted by his peers to the Pat Tillman Leadership Council for a second straight year and was one of ASU's representatives at Big 12 media day.

Allstate/Wuerffel

Redshirt senior Coben Bourguet is Arizona State's representative on the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List released on July 31.

The award, named after former Florida Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel, recognizes athletes based on community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement. There are a record 116 nominees for this year's award.

Bourguet has been a part of the Sun Devil Football program since 2021, playing an integral role in the wide receiver room. A key member of the offensive scout team during the first part of his career, Bourguet has continued to improve during his time in Tempe. He has provided leadership and toughness on the practice field and in the locker room, which has been rewarded with playing time each of the past two seasons.

Bourguet recorded his first career reception last year in the 49-7 victory over Arizona by, hauling in a seven-yard pass from his brother, current assistant running backs coach Trenton Bourguet. 

Off the field, Bourguet has volunteered and dedicated his time to several local organizations in both the Phoenix and Tucson areas. He is also actively involved in fundraising efforts for the Sun Angel NIL Collective. He earned his degree in engineering management from ASU's Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering in May 2024 and is pursuing his master's degree in industrial engineering, on pace for a May 2026 graduation.

Bronko Nagurski, Outland Trophy

Junior defensive tackle C.J. Fite of Arizona State is on the "Watch List" for two prestigious awards going to defensive players. The Tatum, Texas, native had been singled out in the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy preseason watch lists.

There are 60 defensive standouts listed for the Nagurski award, which goes annually to the top defensive player in the country. The award has been handed out since 1993. It features players from 41 different schools in eight Division I FBS conferences and independents.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

There are 50 players listed for the Outland, which goes to the top interior defensive lineman. The recipient will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Dec. 12. The official trophy presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner on Jan. 21, in Omaha, Nebraska.

There are 16 guards and 15 offensive tackles on this year’s list to go with 10 defensive tackles and nine centers. This is the first time since 2012 for guards to lead the Outland Trophy Watch List player selection.

Fite, a 6-foot-2, 310-pounder, saw considerable playing time in 2023 as a true freshman. He emerged as a full-time starter in 2024 and went on to earn second-team All-Big 12 honors. He recorded 30 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in helping ASU to its first Big 12 title. That fumble recovery came against Mississippi State with the Bulldogs pinned deep in their own territory and Fite returned it for a touchdown that put the Sun Devils up 19-3 in the second quarter.

Maxwell Award

Defending Big 12 champion Arizona State had two players singled out for the Maxwell award, which goes to the top player in college football. They are quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.

Last season, Leavitt threw for 2,855 yards and 24 touchdowns with only six interceptions, while igniting the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record. His best game came at Oklahoma State when he threw for 304 yards and three touchdowns.

Leavitt, who will be a redshirt sophomore, was named the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, which put him on the radar for the coming season. Earlier this summer, he was named a second-team Walter Camp preseason All-American.

Tyson also had a breakout season by catching 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. His season ended a bit early after breaking a collarbone in the regular season finale against rival Arizona. His best game of the season came in a win at Kansas State when he tallied 12 catches for 176 yards.

He was named the Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the season. Like Leavitt, he was a second-team Walter Camp preseason All-American. In some early projections, Tyson is singled out as the top wide receiver off the board in the next NFL draft.