Arizona State lands top-ranked in-state recruit

Sun Devil fans already know that Kenny Dillingham and his coaching staff are great recruiters, but Tuesday's development still landed as a high watermark for the program. That came in the form of a commitment from local offensive tackle Jake Hildebrand.

The local product out of Basha High School is the highest-rated high school prospect in the state of Arizona for this year. Hildebrand committed to the Sun Devils over offers from Oregon, Utah, Texas A&M, and a handful of other Power 4 programs.

Not only is it a great addition because of who Hildebrand is - a 4-star prospect and the ninth-ranked offensive tackle in the nation, according to the 247 Sports composite grade - but Hildebrand's decision to stay home speaks volumes about Dillingham's in-state recruiting efforts.

As any seasoned Sun Devil fan knows, Arizona State has historically struggled to keep their best high school talent in-state. Bijan Robinson, Spencer Rattler, Kelee Ringo, and Kyle Allen are just a few in a long list of elite recruits who have left the state to play for blue blood programs elsewhere.

Hildebrand is the first top-ranked Arizona high schooler to pick Arizona State since N'keal Harry back in 2016, and he's also the highest-ranked in-state commit Arizona State has ever secured, period.

The successful effort to land Hildebrand started, in earnest, a year ago as part of Dillingham's larger plans to jumpstart local recruiting missions. Dillingham launched a Golden Ticket approach, inspired by Willy Wonka, to award prestigious scholarship offers to top in-state players. Hildebrand was one such recipient.

A year later, the gambit has paid off.

Hildebrand immediately becomes the highest-ranked commit of the Sun Devils' 2027 class, which includes another 4-star player in wide receiver Nico Bland. As of right now, the group is 38th in the nation and fifth in the Big 12, though Dillingham and his staff are closing in on several other prized recruits.

By no means does Hildebrand's commitment mean Dillingham has suddenly solved Arizona State's decades of in-state recruiting woes. But it is a watershed moment that proves the tide is turning. And, of course, it also secures the Sun Devils an elite offensive tackle prospect with legitimate NFL upside.