He was the kid nobody in Boulder wanted to lose. Then, suddenly, he was the guy in Tempe that nobody could stop. If you've been watching Big 12 football lately, you know that Jordyn Tyson isn't just another name on a roster. He’s basically the heartbeat of the Sun Devils' passing game.
Most folks remember him as that electric freshman at Colorado who tore his ACL, MCL, and PCL all at once. It was brutal. People thought he might never be that twitchy again. But honestly? The way he’s bounced back at Arizona State has been nothing short of a literal miracle for Kenny Dillingham’s offense.
The 2024 Breakout No One Saw Coming
Coming into the 2024 season, the big question was health. Could he actually cut? Does he still have that top-end gear? Well, he answered that pretty quickly. He didn't just play; he dominated. We’re talking about a season where he hauled in 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns.
It wasn’t just the volume, though. It was the timing.
Tyson has this weird, almost psychic connection with QB Sam Leavitt. When things get messy, Leavitt just looks for number zero. In the first half of 2024, he was solid—around 60 yards a game. But in the second half? He went nuclear. He averaged roughly 120 yards per game over the final stretch. That’s Biletnikoff-level production, even if the national media was a little slow to catch on.
Why the Scouts are Drooling (and Cautious)
If you talk to NFL scouts, they’ll tell you Tyson is a "target earner." That’s fancy scout-speak for "the ball finds him because he’s always open." According to recent tracking data, he’s commanding a target on over 31% of his routes. That puts him in the 98th percentile of all receiver prospects in the last few years.
But it’s not all sunshine and highlight reels. There’s a catch. Or rather, sometimes there isn't.
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- The Drop Issue: He’s had some struggles with focus drops. His career catch rate sits around 60%. Not bad, but not elite.
- YAC Reality Check: He isn't exactly a "missed tackle" machine. He wins with route running and body control, not necessarily by breaking three ankles after the catch.
- The Injury Bug: This is the elephant in the room. Between the knee explosion in 2022 and the collarbone injury that sidelined him during the 2024 postseason, teams are worried he might be "brittle."
Living the "No Block, No Rock" Mantra
One thing that makes Jordyn Tyson a perfect fit for the Arizona State culture is his willingness to do the dirty work. He’s been coached up by Hines Ward—yeah, that Hines Ward. You can see the influence.
Tyson was actually top-five among all FBS receivers in run-blocking snaps before his 2024 season was cut short. He isn't some diva wideout standing on the numbers with his hands on his hips during a power run. He’s cracking safeties and sealing edges. That alone is going to get him drafted higher than some of the guys with better 40 times.
A Quick Look at the Numbers
In 2025, before a pesky hamstring pull slowed him down in October, he was on a tear again. Through seven games, he already had 57 catches and 8 scores. When you look at his 2024 and 2025 production combined, he’s basically been a 1,000-yard lock whenever he’s on the field.
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What's Next for the Sun Devil Star?
The decision to head to the NFL draft wasn't a shocker, but it leaves a massive hole in Tempe. With Sam Leavitt also moving on to LSU, the 2026 Arizona State offense is going to look completely different.
For Tyson, the next few months are all about the medical checks. If NFL doctors give him the green light on that knee and the collarbone, he’s a fringe first-round talent. Some mocks have him going in the top 40, comparing him to guys like Jakobi Meyers or even a peak Allen Robinson.
He’s got the size (6-2, 200 lbs) and the "pro" route tree that makes coaches feel safe. He isn't a project; he’s a plug-and-play X-receiver.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Dynasty Managers
If you're following Tyson's journey toward the draft or just keeping tabs on ASU's future, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the Combine Medicals: This is his entire draft stock. The 40-yard dash matters, but the MRI on his knee matters more.
- Look at the "X" Role: He is a true boundary receiver. He doesn't need to be hidden in the slot to produce.
- Monitor the ASU Transfer Portal: Now that Tyson and Leavitt are out, the Sun Devils are desperate for a vertical threat. Watch for Dillingham to get aggressive in the portal this spring to replace that 1,100-yard production.
- Draft Value: In dynasty rookie drafts, Tyson is the classic "high-floor" pick. He might not be the next Tyreek Hill, but he could easily be a 90-catch guy in a timing-based NFL offense.
The era of Jordyn Tyson at Arizona State was short, but man, it was loud. He proved he could move past the Colorado heartbreak and become the best player on the field in a Power 4 conference. Now, it's just a matter of seeing if his body can hold up under the bright lights of Sundays.