Jordyn Tyson is the kind of player you talk about when you call your dad back home.
I’m saying that because Tyson is a legitimate threat to break several Arizona State records and become the top receiver selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. He could end up as the best wideout in program history.
I’m also saying that because I talked to my dad about Jordyn Tyson when I called to check in the other day. My dad is a huge football fan, rooting for whichever team in Michigan is good that year. Michigan. Michigan State. The Lions. It doesn’t matter. If they’re good, he’s all over it.
I’ve got him peeking at what’s going on out here in the desert, though. I’ve been talking up ASU since late last season. (Mostly about Cam Skattebo.)
I’ll probably be telling a lot of people about a lot of Sun Devils this season. My guess is that you, dear reader, will too. For me, Jordyn Tyson came up first. (This isn’t the exact conversation, by the way. But it’s pretty close.)
Dad: Tyson? Never heard of him.
Me: He was the best player on the team last year when ASU was pushing toward a Big 12 title. Well, Tyson and Cam Skattebo.
Dad: Yeah, you love that guy Skattebo. Didn’t you say he “plinkos off defenders like the ‘Price Is Right’”?
Me: Sounds like something I’d say.
Anyway, Tyson was playing as well as anybody in the country before he hurt his collarbone against Arizona in the Territorial Cup last year. Tyson had 36 catches for 543 yards and five touchdowns in the last four games he played.
He’d be a household name already if he’d have been healthy in the Big 12 championship and the Peach Bowl. Probably would’ve set ASU’s single-season receiving record, too.
Dad: What makes him stand out?
Me: Well, it’s like he’s always playing in three-quarter speed, but he hits his top gear when he breaks on the ball and after the catch. He’s always open, but he can make catches in traffic. And he’s the man on third down and in the fourth quarter.
Tyson just has a knack for making big plays, going back to his freshman year at Colorado. He was there pre-Prime and was an honorable mention for Pac-12 offensive freshman of the year, which is crazy because the Buffaloes only really used him in three games before he tore up his knee. ACL, MCL and PCL. Nasty work.
Dad: Sounds like he’s injury prone.
Me: Maybe. He’s certainly going to have to get through this season in one piece for ASU to repeat as Big 12 champs. NFL scouts want to see him stay healthy, too. The thing is, I saw Tyson a couple of weeks ago, and he looks like he bulked up a little bit – he looks taller, too. I asked him about it, and he just kinda grinned.
Oh, and he was named to the AP All-America team. The FIRST TEAM. One of only three receivers in the nation.
Dad: Sounds like he’s got a shot.
Me: Put it like this, it’ll shock me if he doesn’t become a star this year and beyond. He’s got an older brother who’s in the NBA, Jaylon Tyson, and they’re 20 months a year apart. They basically grew up like twins.
To me, that means Jordyn Tyson knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
Also, Tyson is a devout Christian. And that shouldn’t matter to most fans any more than if he were a committed follower of any other religion, but what it tells me is that he’s not going to be out all night goofing off when he should be resting and getting ready for his next workout.
Dad: Yeah, people say they’re religious all the time. You never know.
Me: I get that, I’m often skeptical, too. But I asked Jordyn what was his favorite book in the Bible, and he said he had just finished studying Judges, and he called it “the warrior’s book.” That’s a deep cut. I don’t think he’s a poser.
Dad: What’s the team like around him?
Me: It might be as good or better than last year.
Tyson’s quarterback, Sam Leavitt, is a preseason Heisman contender this time around.
ASU is going to replace Skattebo with some solid guys at running back. Kyson Brown has been patiently waiting on his chance to show what he can do. Last year, he ran for 100 yards on just eight carries against Arizona. Brown should platoon with Kanye Udoh, a 1,000-yard rusher who transferred in from Army.
The wide receivers look good, too. Malik McClain had 40-yard catches in the Big 12 title game and the Peach Bowl. He looked ready in training camp. Did I mention he’s 6 feet 5?
Also, there’s a guy named Jaren Hamilton. They call him “Turbo.” I saw him make some plays up in the woods at Camp Tontozona.
Tyson, McClain and Hamilton are coached by Hines Ward.
Dad: Wow. The guy from the Steelers?
Me: Yep.
Tyson might set some records, too. He had 1,101 receiving yards last year – only 304 yards from Shaun McDonald’s single-season record.
With 1,141 yards, Tyson will enter the school’s top 10 career receiving yards list.
With 1,788, Tyson will pass N’Keal Harry for No. 2.
Tyson would need almost 3,000 yards for No. 1; if that happens, you’ll hear about it. Trust me.
Anyway, these names really matter around here.
I spent part of the offseason informally polling longtime Sun Devils – from players and coaches to football staffers and fans – on their top-five receivers in program history. The list includes college legends, NFL All-Pros and a Pro Football Hall of Famer: The names that popped up most often were (in chronological order):
Charley Taylor, JD Hill, Steve Holden, John Jefferson, Derek Hagan, Keith Poole, Shaun McDonald, Jaelen Strong, N’Keal Harry and Brandon Aiyuk.
Jordyn Tyson is as good as any of these guys if he can keep healthy.
Multiple mock drafts have him as the first receiver selected next spring.
He’s good enough to make Cuba Gooding Jr. scream “Show me the money!”
Dad: OK, I’ll watch. Let’s see what he does.