Julian Hugo rejected offers from nearly every Big 12 school to commit to the Sun Devils.
Arizona State’s recruiting momentum gained traction on Thursday with the commitment of Julian Hugo, a 2026 defensive end from Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 250 pounds, Hugo made his decision after an official visit to Tempe over the weekend. He is currently unranked by 247Sports or the 247Sports Composite.
“I’m very selective when it comes to choosing a school,” Hugo explained. “I’ve visited many programs and analyzed what makes each one unique. But Arizona State stood out to me the most. Every school claims to have a strong culture, but ASU’s team culture was genuinely impressive. The way coaches interact with one another, the way they connect with players, and how the players treat each other—it was all rooted in real respect and camaraderie. My hosts, Terrel Kim, Salesi Manu, Joey Sua, and AJ Ia, made me feel like part of the ASU family. The coaching staff is outstanding, and they truly live up to who they say they are.”
Hugo’s mother is cousins with Marques Uini, an offensive lineman who also visited ASU last weekend and subsequently committed to the Sun Devils.
“My cousin had been telling me about ASU for a long time, but I didn’t really take it seriously until I got there,” Hugo shared. “ASU is truly a special place. It’s one of those things you don’t fully understand until you experience it yourself. After thinking it over the night before my flight home, I decided ASU was where I belonged. I made the announcement at dinner with the coaches and players, and they all immediately embraced me. Everyone seemed genuinely happier after I made my commitment.”
Hugo reportedly received numerous scholarship offers, including from most Big 12 schools like Arizona, Baylor, Colorado, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, TCU, and Utah, as well as major programs such as UCLA and USC.
“I see myself as a hard worker, and I lead by example,” Hugo shared. “I always strive to maintain a positive attitude and motivate my teammates to lift each other up. As a player, I earn the respect of my teammates through the effort I put in for the team. My goal is to make my teammates feel like they’re better when they’re around me.”
“My biggest strengths on the field are definitely my high motor, quick get-off, and my hands,” Hugo said. “As a defensive lineman, you’ve got to play hard and physical, and I showed that in my junior year film. I want to work on improving my pass rush, especially bending that corner better, and adding more counter moves.”
Hugo becomes ASU’s 10th commitment for the 2026 class, boosting a recruiting class that was already ranked No. 17 nationally in the 247Sports Composite rankings before his announcement.
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