Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham appears poised to continue his recent momentum on the recruiting trail, as a national recruiting expert has projected the Sun Devils to land one of the top quarterbacks in the 2027 class. Since his arrival, Dillingham has secured high-caliber talent at the position, bringing in four-star passers Cameron Dyer in 2025 and Jake Fette in 2026.
The next potential addition is four-star quarterback Weston Nielsen of Bastrop High School in Texas, whom Arizona State has pursued aggressively. The Sun Devils offered Nielsen in January 2024 and later brought him to Tempe for a game-day visit in September, keeping the program firmly in the mix throughout his recruitment.
Nielsen recently narrowed his list to 18 finalists and scheduled his commitment announcement for Dec. 13. Arizona State made the cut alongside major programs such as Oregon, Nebraska, Miami, and Texas Tech. While the Sun Devils have long been considered a strong contender, the competition for Nielsen has remained tight.
However, confidence in Arizona State’s chances grew on Dec. 8 when Rivals analyst Steve Wiltfong submitted a prediction forecasting Nielsen to the Sun Devils with a 60% confidence level. Wiltfong’s projections carry significant weight—he holds a 90% accuracy rate across 1,038 predictions—making this a meaningful development for ASU’s staff and fan base.
The prediction aligns with the program’s recent trajectory under Dillingham, who has established a quarterback-friendly environment and developed a notable recruiting presence in Texas. With Fette already committed from El Paso, Arizona State’s connections in the state strengthen the appeal for Nielsen, who ranks No. 269 nationally, No. 20 among quarterbacks, and No. 42 in Texas according to Rivals’ industry ratings.
Nielsen would be a marquee addition to ASU’s 2027 class if the prediction holds. The Sun Devils won’t have to wait long for clarity, as the four-star prospect is set to announce his decision on Saturday.
