TEMPE — Coming off a weekend in which Arizona State secured commitments from three more wide receivers, ASU coach Kenny Dillingham shared the secret behind Hines Ward’s success as a recruiter.
Ward agreed to become ASU’s wide receivers coach in April after a 14-year NFL career for the Pittsburgh Steelers where he was a four-time Pro Bowl receiver and the MVP of Super Bowl XL.
And although Dillingham said the accolades speak for themselves, it is Ward’s humility and honesty that have made him especially effective as a recruiter, according to Dillingham.
“He’s just a really humble person. You would never know the accomplishments he’s had in his career. You’d never know it and that’s really his secret sauce,” Dillingham said Monday.
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“He’s honest with the dudes because he doesn’t need to lie to him. He’s done what they want to do. And he can be honest with them because they have to naturally respect what he’s accomplished.”
ASU’s top three 2025 commits are all pass catchers, including quarterback-turned-receiver Cameron Dyer, tight end A.J. Ia and wide receiver Cory Butler Jr.
Chance Ables, Jordan Scott and Cooper Reid’s commitments on Sunday furthered the talent coming into ASU’s receiving corps.
Bolstered by Ward’s effort, ASU has the No. 6 recruiting class in the conference and the No. 42 class in the nation for 2025.
“The best recruiters are people that are just in my opinion real or people that are really good at faking being real,” Dillingham said.
“And that’s the hardest part about it, but just got to be yourself. And I think that’s the best part about him is he’s himself. He’s humble, he’s accomplished everything that these kids want to accomplish. Why would you not want to go play for that?”
Dillingham praises Hines Ward’s work ethic
In addition to making his mark on the recruiting trail, Ward has also made his impact felt in the facility on a daily basis, Dillingham said.
“Nobody sees him as the first one in the building,” Dillingham said. “I mean he’s in the top three every single day. … Does he really need to be a top three guy in the building? No. That’s how he’s wired.”
The Sun Devils and Kansas State Wildcats will kick off at 5 p.m. on Saturday on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.