Kenny Dillingham thinks Willy Wonka-style Golden Tickets could be the answer to ASU football’s longstanding difficulty with in-state recruiting.
The Arizona State coach was quick to bring up Albert Einstein’s old definition of insanity when asked about a Golden Ticket element of recruiting he and other staffers teased on social media earlier in the month.
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. So we’re going to change it up,” Dillingham said on Wednesday as ASU’s youth football camp wrapped up.
“We’re going to recruit the state a little different. People may not like it, they may like it. It doesn’t matter ‘cause what we’re doing isn’t working to attract the highest-level player. I think we’re trending in that direction, but we’re going to be a little bit different in how we recruit the state to try to keep the best players in the state home.”
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Recruiting Arizona has consistently held the program back no matter the coach, including the debacle where Brock Purdy’s initial offer was only as a preferred walk-on before then-coach Herm Edwards misremembered the entire situation.
Meanwhile, exceptions such as D.J. Foster, N’Keal Harry and Chase Lucas have proven to be the outliers rather than the trendsetters, while No. 1 running back Bijan Robinson and top-10 quarterback Ty Thompson are other recent examples of standouts leaving the state.
“I’m born and raised here, a lot of our staff is from here. We’re trying to figure out this code to recruit the state,” Dillingham said. “What we’re doing right now isn’t necessarily working at the highest level yet. So we’re going to change our strategy.”
That brings us to Sunday, the first day coaches were allowed to make direct recruiting contact with class of 2027 prospects, meaning the new plan could be put into action.
“Part of the strategy is it’s going to be special to come here again,” Dillingham said. “It’s going to be special, it’s going to be loud. ‘I’m one of the few people who get the opportunity to stay in state.’
“And I think that’s what what we’re trying to create is that demand that ASU is a special place for the in-state kids.”
As reports of contact emerged on social media, the special flair from the highest-rated Arizona recruits showed.
Thank you to @ASUFootball & @KennyDillingham for the golden ticket!! pic.twitter.com/fwHOb98R7a
— Zerek “zroc” Sidney (@zereksidney) June 15, 2025
While contact reports were simply graphics from almost every other program, ASU’s went the extra mile for its highest priorities serving up a clip with some shine for its golden effect.
It denoted the player was “001/006” to promote scarcity and demand, with the fight song written at the bottom and a “Built in the Valley. Bound for greatness” tagline. Each player’s headshot can be seen in the middle underneath the wording on each.
The full extent of how differently Golden Ticket recipients are treated from other offers is yet to be seen, but the emphasis on propping up the program as a destination is clear.
Which 2027 Arizona recruits collected Golden Tickets from ASU football?
RB Noah Roberts, Chandler Basha
The 6-foot-1 burner already has a favorable impression of Arizona State. The No. 44 overall prospect, per 247 Sports’ composite ranking (No. 1 in Arizona), listed the Sun Devils along with Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State and Oregon for his early standouts.
OT Jake Hildebrand, Basha
ASU has never had an offensive line commit as highly rated as Hildebrand in the online recruiting era at No. 84 overall (No. 2 in Arizona). The 6-foot-6, 285-pound tackle was seen at one of the Sun Devils’ spring practices.
chandler basha offensive tackle jake hildebrand, ranked as the top ot in 2027 by 247 sports composite, was among the many recruits at asu's saturday night practice. pic.twitter.com/ctieHrIkRw
— Damon Allred (@iamdamonallred) March 30, 2025
“It’s showing they want to keep talent in the state, which is an amazing thing,” Hildebrand told Arizona Sports of the weight he feels with the designation. “And I love that we are building this amazing relationship together.”
WR Zerek Sidney, Goodyear Desert Edge
The 6-foot receiver burst onto the scene with 11 touchdowns as a sophomore to earn a spot as the No. 276 overall recruit (No. 4 in Arizona). He was the first to announce his Golden Ticket.
ATH Jai Jones, Chandler
At just over 6-foot, Jones has impressed as both a receiver and defensive back en route to his standing as the No. 415 prospect (No. 6 in Arizona).
OT Benjamin Lowther, Peoria Centennial
Already at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, the No. 444 prospect (No. 7 in Arizona) was also designated as a priority recruit for Big 12 foe Kansas.
QB Kael Snyder, Gilbert Perry
The 6-foot-3 signal caller held his own in his first season as a starter in a very competitive 6A Premier region. He has not yet been evaluated overall but is 247’s No. 11 Arizona prospect.
Desert Edge CB Mikyal Davis (No. 289), Basha WR Jaden Baldwin (No. 449), Gilbert Williams Field WR Trey Smith (No. 16 in Arizona) and Basha DT Anitoni Tahi (unranked) were the others from the state who reported contact in the first 12 hours of the open window.
Appreciate the love @ASUFootball pic.twitter.com/uT5lDrOt6K
— Jaden Baldwin (@_jadenbaldwin) June 15, 2025
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