ASU lands pair of transfer linebackers

On Monday, King Mwikuta was playing for a national championship in Indianapolis. On Friday, he announced he’s heading to Arkansas State University.

Mwikuta, a former unanimous 4-star prospect in the 2019 recruiting class, signed with Alabama out of Troup County (Ga.) High School but was primarily a special teams player with the Crimson Tide. The 6-5, 238-pounder had four tackles as a freshman, yet logged just two over the 2020 and 2021 seasons while appearing in 25 games.

Mwikuta will come to ASU with two years of eligibility remaining, and it’s possible he could immediately slide into the Red Wolves’ open spot at defensive end opposite Kivon Bennett.

Also on Friday, ASU added to its transfer haul with former Houston linebacker Jordan Carmouche. The Manvel, Texas, native signed with SMU in 2016, starting as a running back before redshirting the season. Carmouche then transitioned to defensive end at Navarro (Texas) Junior College before moving to linebacker when he joined the Cougars in 2018.

Carmouche appeared in 29 games over four years — with a redshirt season in 2019 due to a season-ending injury — and made four starts at linebacker in 2020, leaving the 6-2, 230-pounder with one year of eligibility at ASU.