The 5 Best Arizona State Sun Devils in NFL History

Terrell Suggs made his 2002 Arizona State season a defining pass-rushing campaign, setting the NCAA single-season record with 24 sacks. The defensive end also won the Lombardi Award, Nagurski Trophy and Hendricks Award before leaving Tempe after his junior year. His sack production and collection of honors give that season an unusually substantial combination of measurable achievement and national recognition.

Suggs' position in an Arizona State ranking is anchored in the strength of that peak. The record establishes the scale of his production, while the awards show that his season earned recognition across several major defensive honors. His case does not need exaggerated claims about opposing blockers: the documented results already explain why his college career stands out.

Pat Tillman was an undersized Arizona State linebacker who helped the Sun Devils complete an unbeaten regular season in 1996, then earned Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1997. He also graduated in three and a half years with a high GPA. After his NFL career began, his decision to leave professional football and join the Army Rangers gave his story significance beyond sports.

His Arizona State ranking should still begin with his football accomplishments. Contributing to an unbeaten regular season and later receiving the conference's top defensive honor connects team success with individual distinction across separate campaigns. His academic achievement adds to that college portrait, while the statue tradition at Arizona State reflects the broader place he holds in the school's identity.

Jake Plummer led Arizona State through an 11–0 regular season in 1996, including a victory over top-ranked Nebraska, and into the Rose Bowl. The quarterback known as the Snake finished third in Heisman Trophy voting. His scrambling was a recognizable part of a season that placed the Sun Devils in national-title contention and gave his college career a clear signature campaign.

Plummer's ranking rests on the connection between quarterback play and Arizona State's team achievements. The unbeaten regular season provides sustained evidence of success, while the Nebraska win supplies a particularly meaningful highlight. His Heisman finish adds individual recognition without replacing those results. It is the combination of a distinguished personal peak and an accomplished team season that makes his Arizona State résumé compelling.

Mike Haynes earned All-American recognition as an Arizona State cornerback and also contributed as a return man on Frank Kush's teams. His college reputation centered on his coverage, with return duties adding another way for him to influence play. He later became a Hall of Fame cornerback with the Patriots and Raiders, but his Arizona State accomplishments deserve attention in their own right.

The strongest college-based argument for Haynes is the combination of national recognition at his primary position and a contribution beyond defense. His return work broadens the profile without changing his identity as a cornerback. In an Arizona State ranking, the All-American honor supplies a clear foundation; his later professional success is a continuation of the story rather than a substitute for college achievement.

Danny White combined quarterback and punting responsibilities at Arizona State, leading the Sun Devils to three consecutive Fiesta Bowl victories. He also set NCAA passing records that stood at the time, pairing team results with individual offensive achievement. His punting remained part of his professional career, and he later had a long tenure as the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback after Roger Staubach retired.

White's Arizona State standing benefits from accomplishments sustained across multiple seasons rather than one isolated bowl performance. The run of Fiesta Bowl wins gives his leadership a concrete measure, while the passing records establish the significance of his offensive production in its era. His additional work as a punter adds breadth to a college résumé already supported by repeated postseason success.