ASU quarterback battle as Sun Devils open fall camp

PHOENIX — The Arizona State University squad commenced its fall training camp today, with the most interesting competition among all teams in the Big 12 yet to be resolved between junior Cutter Boley and freshman Jake Fette for the spot of quarterback.

Jake Fette participates in a passing drill during Arizona State football practice on August 5, 2026. Jonathan Olden/Bamboo Sports Media

According to head coach Kenny Dillingham, there was no clear front-runner after the first training session, although he was satisfied with the efforts demonstrated by the team.

"It was beautiful out today. Beautiful is relative, but it was beautiful," Dillingham said. "I like the energy of our guys. I thought we had good intent today. One, lots of cleanup, but good intent."

While the competition between Boley and Fette remains the storyline entering camp, offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo said his biggest takeaway from Day 1 wasn't who made the best throw. Instead, it was the chemistry and leadership the quarterbacks built long before practice began.

"I think the most important part is they've spent a bunch of time together," Arroyo said. "These guys put in a huge amount of togetherness in regard to getting to know each other. That sets the foundation. That's the glue when things start getting really hard."

Arroyo said the offseason work has created a quarterback room that communicates openly and holds each other accountable, traits he believes will become increasingly important once camp intensifies.

"You can tell that they spend a lot of time together," Arroyo said. "They understand each other. They can be critical with each other. They're talking to each other really directly, and no one's taking it personal. That's what I was most excited about seeing — that leadership mentality and the collectiveness that they put together."

Both Boley and Fette also spent Tuesday building rhythm with Arizona State's receiving corps. During individual and team periods, each quarterback worked through a variety of route concepts, developing timing and trust with their receivers while gaining confidence in the offense. 

Cutter Boley goes through quarterback drills during Arizona State football practice on August 5, 2026. Jonathan Olden/Bamboo Sports Media

As the quarterbacks rotated through drills, the emphasis extended beyond completing passes to learning each receiver's tendencies and preferred timing.

"You can tell there's a sense of they know what speed they're playing at," Arroyo said. "They know how this guy runs this. They know what that throw's got to look like."

Boley entered camp as the expected favorite after transferring from Kentucky, bringing Power Four experience and one of the strongest arms on the roster. 

Fette, however, has quickly emerged as his primary challenger after enrolling early and impressing throughout spring practice with his poise and command of the offense.

Neither quarterback appeared to create significant separation during the first practice, as Arizona State continued rotating quarterbacks through team drills.

Arroyo said Day 1 was designed to challenge the offense. After months of player-led workouts, coaches intentionally increased the tempo and expectations once practice officially began.

"Our opportunity as coaches is to press that bar as far as we can and try to get these guys uncomfortable," Arroyo said. "You learn the most when you're uncomfortable, not when you're comfortable."

Even on concepts the offense has practiced repeatedly, Arroyo said execution must become second nature.

"You've got to do it until you can't get it wrong," Arroyo said. "As long as they're critical with each other and we're having communication and dialogue about how we want to make this elite, then we'll be just fine. We get comfortable, we're screwed."

Arizona State is likely going to keep assessing both QBs during training camp prior to naming a starting QB ahead of their first game of the season. Until then, Dillingham will keep stressing the need for improvement rather than immediate success.

The opening day of the camp did not give any indication of a front-runner in the battle for the starting QB position, but at least set the tone for the rest of the month: compete, communicate, and build chemistry.