(Photo: Jack Simon/WCSN)
When the Arizona State football starting special teams unit walked onto the field against Kansas, those who have paid enough attention to the maroon and gold noticed a slight difference.
No, it wasn’t the sights and sounds of the typical Mountain America Stadium experience traded for the glitz and glamor of Wembley Stadium. It was who was lined up deep to return punts for the Sun Devils.
In the two opening games of the season, second-year wide receiver Cory Butler Jr. was the man back deep tasked with setting ASU’s field position. However, after Butler muffed a punt in the first half against Texas A&M, head coach Kenny Dillingham and special teams coordinator Jack Nudo opted for a change.
The decision was to insert fifth-year wide receiver Jalen Moss as punt returner moving forward.
“They just told me to be ready,” Moss said. “My time was ready. I just went out there and made my play when it was time to go.”
From spring to fall ball, Moss competed for the starting punt returner spot with Butler.
Initially, Butler won the starting job, but that didn’t knock Moss down. Butler returned three punts to open the season for minus-two yards, including the fumble against Texas A&M.
“Just kept my confidence throughout spring, fall camp, and even now. I’m never wavering,” Moss said. “I got a plan. God’s got a plan for me. So, just being confident whether I’m not on the field, whether I’m on the field, it never leaves.”
As a starter, Moss has returned two punts for 22 yards, including a 15-yard return against Kansas.
Although Moss’ confidence as a punt returner hasn’t borne the same results as fourth-year wide receiver Jaren Hamilton’s labor as a kick returner, the body of work presents Nudo with satisfaction.
“He’s been consistent,” Nudo said. “He’s done a good job in general back there, catching everything, fielding everything that he can.
“When there are balls that he’s not able to field, he’s loud and communicates, so that the guys can get away from the ball.”
Moss’ mindset as a returner is very similar to Hamilton’s. Following his 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, Hamilton spoke about how he believed in himself by virtue of his ability to enjoy his time on the field.
“It’s sharks and minnows almost,” Moss said. “I go out there and just have fun. As long as I know I’m having fun, I feel like I could be the best player I can be out there.”
When he transferred to ASU from Fresno State, Moss was expected to be an asset in the pass game for Dillingham’s offense. In two seasons at Fresno State, Moss posted 103 catches for 1,269 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In Tempe, that production hasn’t quite followed. Injuries limited Moss last season to starting four games and appearing in nine, as he finished 2025 with 16 receptions for 273 yards and a lone touchdown.
But his experience as a pass catcher has helped him translate to fielding punts.
“I see returning a kick and catching a ball to be the same thing,” Moss said. “Being able to possess the ball, being able to make yards after the catch, it feels like the same thing to me.”
Yet even if returning punts has grown to be second nature to Moss, Nudo didn’t shut the door on Butler taking over the starting job again.
“We’re going to roll with Jalen moving forward, but Cory’s always ready to go,” Nudo said. “He knows that he can get back in there and if he gets his opportunity, he’ll be ready. Fully confident in both of those guys; they’re both playmakers and very trustworthy players.”
Even if Moss isn’t set in stone as the starting punt returner for the rest of the season, Nudo’s confidence in him has helped spark his strong start to his new role.
“Being ready when my number’s called,” Moss said. “Knowing that my teammates got my back like I got theirs. At the end of the day, we’re just trying to go out there and win.”
