Arizona State defensive back Javan Robinson goes up for a ball during the first week of spring practice at Kajikawa Practice Fields on March 27, 2025. (Photo by Jace Grenke/Cronkite News)
TEMPE – On Day 2 of spring practice, the Arizona State defensive backs surrounded Rodney Bimage Jr. in celebration for breaking up a pass during a one-on-one battle with a wide receiver.
Underneath the screams and high-fives, the herd of players represented a culture within the one Coach Kenny Dillingham has established in two short years at the helm – one that’s centered on a brotherhood that runs deep and enters the 2025 season at its peak with four of five returners in a defensive secondary that allowed only 226 passing yards per game and recorded 11 total interceptions.
The exception is nickel corner Shamari Simmons, who graduated and is preparing for the NFL Draft. But the Sun Devils replenished the defensive backs unit by adding Purdue transfer Kyndrich Breedlove, who is competing with returning redshirt sophomore Montana Warren for the starting job.
One of the captains of the team and the leader of the secondary, Xavion Alford returns as a sixth-year senior in his third year with the Sun Devils. He intercepted two passes last season and was second on the team in tackles with 85 behind Myles Rowser, the other half of this safety duo.
“I feel like we can accomplish a lot,” Alford said. “We have four out of the five guys back. Montana played, and he is back. Adding veterans like both of the guys from Purdue, Nyland and Kyndrich, and even the young guys. The secondary as a whole, we are big on holding each other accountable.”
Rowser brings deep experience to the Sun Devils and a level of physicality that can elevate the entire secondary to play physically. Keith Abney and Javan Robinson are also returning to their cornerback positions after combining for six interceptions last season.
The offseason depth that has been added this offseason has created competition but also camaraderie that can only help the Sun Devils in the long run.
“Anytime you bring in new guys, it lights a fire in the room,” Robinson said. “Not only is it a competition, but we have to show them how we work here and how we have a standard. Making sure they understand how we do things and how we work.”
Abney and Robinson believe that they should be included in any conversation about the best cornerback duos in the nation, and the season they’re coming off of supports their argument.
“It’s great having Javen (Robinson) back,” Abney said. “After the Texas game, we talked, and we challenged each other to step it up a notch and compete with each other to make each other better every day and try to be the best corner tandem in the nation.”
Bringing in new players who are either highly recruited, or incoming transfers who started at their previous school, may raise concerns about the vibe in the defensive back room. That hasn’t been the case for the Sun Devils.
“I feel like we all have a tight bond,” Abney said. “I feel like there is no type of hatred in that room, it’s all love and we all try to make each other better… We are all helping each other in trying to become an elite group.”
The Sun Devils replenished that position by adding Purdue transfer Kyndrich Breedlove, who is competing with returning redshirt sophomore Montana Warren for the starting job.
“Kyndrich and Montana bring size to that position,” said assistant coach Bryan Carrington. “Size that we didn’t have last year. (Kyndrich) Breedlove has experience playing corner, he’s much more instinctive in man coverage. Montana is a hammer in a sense where he can kinda do some of those things Shamari (Simmons) excelled at as far as blowing up screens and being physical in run support. Excited about that competition to continue this spring.”
Breedlove, who led Purdue with three interceptions last season, isn’t the only player that ASU has added from Purdue. Cornerback Nyland Green, a former five-star prospect, will also suit up in maroon and gold this season.
While Warren had seven total tackles last year as a backup, one of his highlights included returning a blocked punt for a touchdown against Central Florida.
Bimage Jr., a redshirt freshman, has made noise with physical and instinctive play during the spring. Bimage was a freshman last year who only appeared in two games, but there is a buzz around Sun Devil practices about the way he has stepped up his game.
Bimage’s one-on-one reps this spring have been impressive, with multiple pass breakups and interceptions. His unwillingness to give up on any rep has impressed his teammates. On the second day of spring ball he was beat off the line but didn’t give up and recovered to get into position to intercept the pass.
“We always knew Rodney (Bimage Jr.) could do it,” Alford said. “That’s why he is here. He had it in him. Just to see how invested he is … He is maturing, he is serious about the process, he is just going up. He is focused on football, he’s making a lot of plays.”
