Junior college defensive lineman Kirtland Vakalahi commits to ASU
With four outgoing seniors at defensive end for ASU, it was imperative that the Sun Devils land immediate help at that role in their 2026 recruiting class. On Saturday night, they received news that 6-foot-5, 265-pound New Mexico Military Institute defensive lineman Kirtland Vakalahi has committed to the team.
“It was the culture, it was the people, and the coaches,” Vakalahi said of his decision. “Obviously, it starts from the top down with Coach Dillingham being the head coach. He does a good job of setting the standard and having certain expectations from the team.
The way he delivers those expectations and brings the team together as a whole is really what I felt most when I was around.
“And it wasn’t just from him, it was just from everyone. Observing the practice, observing meetings, and just seeing how he operates, that was really a no-brainer. I went to the Utes the next weekend (after the ASU visit), and they had a good program too. Great coaches, great people, but there was just a different feeling that I had at Arizona State out in Tempe.
I love the people, I love the place too, and I like the warm weather. There was just so much to like about it.”
The lineman also holds ASU’s defensive line coach, Diron Reynolds, in high regard, and that was naturally another factor in his decision.
“He’s a great guy, first of all. He’s a good man, and I think that he just has the right tools to develop me,” Vakalahi described. “Of course, any D-I school that I go to has the right tools to develop me, but I think he just had the most complete coaching system for me. He knows how to communicate with his players. Watching film with him in our meetings, he was able to pick out the techniques that he could help me learn. I think he’ll do the best job developing me compared to any other school.
“He runs a four down front, and I have the length and the size to play out there and dominate in the way that he sets it up. He was also talking about putting me inside a little bit, like on a third down, where we’re going to be blitzing. He has a scheme that fits me where I’m able to move around, whether that be outside on the tackle or closer on the guard, whether it’s five-tech or three-tech. It’s a good scheme that helps me use my strengths and my abilities best. Of course, I’m a little bit of a bigger edge compared to some of the smaller guys in the conference. I’m pretty heavy, pretty tall. Also, with BWard (defensive coordinator Brian Ward), he runs a really good scheme and I’m a good fit for the defense as a whole because I really enjoy playing outside on the flats.”
Vakalahi visited Tempe for the West Virginia game, a trip that certainly left a deep impression on him.
“First of all, it’s just a very beautiful place,” Vakalahi remarked. “Obviously, as soon as I got off the airport, I just noticed how well developed the city was and how cool the vibe was. Just a nice culture and seeing all the fans and how they show up on game day. When I actually got into the facility and met the players, they were all really welcoming to me.
I met up with my host, Jacob (defensive lineman Jacob Kongaika), who did a really good job of looking out for me and explaining to me how they operate and what they do, how the coaches coach, and how they run the team and the culture that’s there.
“I could feel it when I was there, too. Really just feeling at home, having that feeling, I think, is the most important thing when you’re on a visit. That was the main thing, feeling like I belonged there. The thing that impressed me the most was Coach Kenny Dillingham. You see him having a lot of energy on the field and just being very expressive. And seeing that in person, seeing him running around in practice and getting around the boys, chasing them. If someone makes a sack or someone gets a pick, he’ll be right there. He’ll come around, start dapping you up, and start screaming. He just brings a really good attitude and energy to practice that I enjoy. I really do live by the phrase, ‘having more fun than anyone in the country.’ It’s big to live by that, and to stand and be able to show that you really do live by what you say. That was a big one.”
In 15 games for the Broncos, Vakalahi collected 35 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks, and the defensive lineman was also a JCGridiron Preseason All-America 2nd Team. Vakalahi’s On3 industry ranking is No. 17 overall among junior college prospects, No. 8 among defensive linemen, and the top junior college prospect in the state of New Mexico.
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