Kenny Dillingham led Arizona State out of a historically difficult period in Tempe and into a Big 12 Conference championship in a very short span. A key factor in that turnaround was the impact of emerging 2026 NFL Draft talent, such as wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Kenny Dillingham Fired Up Over Jordyn Tyson and Other NFL Prospects at Arizona State Pro Day Practice
According to SunDevilSource, Dillingham was “ecstatic” to have Tyson, tight end Chamon Metayer, and cornerback Keith Abney, as well as defensive linemen Justin Wodtly and Jacob Kongaika, at practice on Saturday. The session served as a key buildup to Arizona State’s upcoming Pro Day, scheduled for Friday, where NFL hopefuls will have a chance to prove their abilities.
“Obviously, they were out here today, they got pro day on Friday, so next Friday,” Dillingham said. “So I’m excited to get out there and watch them live out their dream. And it’s cool to have those guys wanna come back and be a part of it. Just to get former Sun Devils back out here, back involved, back comfortable is awesome.”
Tyson had been one of the most productive and promising players in recent years, recording 1,101 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2024 season. He had 711 yards and 8 touchdowns in 9 games in 2025, finishing the season ranked No. 23 nationally in the PFSN ‘s CFB WR Impact Metric with an 81.2 score.
Despite some hamstring issues in 2025, he remains a projected early first-round pick known for his elite ball-tracking and route-running.
MORE: Jason Whitlock Slams “Cinderella” Label on Curt Cignetti’s Indiana: ‘It’s a Pay-for-Play Story’
Dillingham has consistently spoken highly of Tyson, not just for his talent on the field but also for his character.
“He’s an unbelievable person, unbelievable player,” Dillingham said in December. “You know, he’s a special special person. You know, we spoke for 15 minutes last night. I mean, just on the phone, and he’s such a great kid. Like, I couldn’t be happier for somebody to go achieve success in this game than him.”
During Pro Day preparations, Tyson was also seen observing fellow wide receiver Omarion Miller, a transfer from Colorado who is looking to carve out a similar path. Tyson himself made that same move from Colorado to Arizona State and quickly developed into one of the nation’s top receiver prospects, setting an example Miller hopes to follow.
ASU defensive standout Clayton Smith, who returned for the 2026 season after receiving a sixth year of eligibility, was also seen catching up with Tyson. Smith has reportedly been practicing with the wide receivers during ASU’s spring practices.
As for Metayer, he transitioned from Cincinnati to become a reliable target for Dillingham and recorded 38 receptions for 375 yards and 4 touchdowns in the 2025 season.
DON’T MISS: Ahmad Hardy and Austin Simmons Duo Raise Stakes for Eli Drinkwitz’s CFP Run
Meanwhile, Abney elevated his draft stock with an incredible season in 2025 that included 44 tackles and 12 pass breakups, which established him as one of the defense’s top performers.
Wodtly ended his final season with a 6-game sack streak, while Kongaika concluded his college career as a reliable contributor on the defensive line during his two seasons in Tempe.
