IN FOCUS | Tatum’s own C.J. Fite a key figure in Arizona State’s rise to college football’s elite
EDITOR’S NOTE: Here is the very first edition of IN FOCUS, our new feature, and it’s on Arizona State football player C.J. Fite, a former Tatum High School standout now making an impact, as the Sun Devils have transformed into one of the nation’s top college football programs. In Focus is presented by Kilgore-Gilmer Eye Care Center, offering high-quality, personalized eye and vision care to East Texas since founded in 1976. Visit them at either their Kilgore or Gilmer locations, and begin by checking out their excellent website right here: Kilgore-Gilmer Eye Care Center.
It’s not every day that someone you know is named a member of the 2025 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team.
But if you know Tatum’s C.J. Fite, then you’re accustomed to seeing him knock down achievement after achievement.
Fite, a defensive tackle who dons jersey No. 99 for the Arizona State University Sun Devils, was named to the preseason team, chosen by the media as a way of predicting who will be the elite players prior to every season, during the Big 12 Media Days sessions last week at The Star in Frisco.
And it’s fitting Fite would be at The Star – because he is a star on the rise, just like his program, led by coach Kenny Dillingham. After a 3-9 season just two years ago, the Sun Devils went 11-3 last year, won the conference (they defeated Iowa State in the title game) and made the very first 12-team version of the College Football Playoff.
Fite was chosen alongside Texas Tech’s David Bailey and Lee Hunter, Iowa State’s Domonique Orange and Cincinnati’s Dontay Corleone, as the defensive line for this year’s preseason team. And it’s no wonder. The junior and former Tatum High School standout is considered one of the team’s leaders. He’s 6-foot-1, 295 pounds, and as an interior lineman, having 18 solo tackles is pretty impressive. He had two sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 2024, as well.
Fite, who was one of the Sun Devils chosen to represent the team at Big 12 Media Days, was featured on KSL Sports’ Big 12 Sound interview.
“I think the easiest way to kind of get to that point where we fall off is if we focus on last year,” Fite told the hosts.
He was asked why he chose Arizona State coming out of Tatum, because, as one of the hosts said, at that time, Arizona State wasn’t very good.
“I wanted a program that would fit me, and I loved the environment there, and at Tempe in general,” Fite explained. “I committed to the old staff, decommitted, then committed to the new staff, but they showed they appreciated me, that they loved me, and it was just a sign from God.”
He was asked what was the difference now between when the program only had three wins, and the expectations there, vs. now, coming off the Big 12 Conference Championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
“It’s just a matter of how we go about each day, of how the leaders step up and take that role, pushing the players more and expecting more out of everybody,” he answered. “We know what to expect out of ourselves now, what’s expected out of each other, so you just kind of hold everybody to that standard… and make sure everybody’s living up to that standard that we set.”
Fite also addressed the wild finishes to Arizona State’s win over Utah and BYU, Arizona State’s defensive mindset, talked more about expectations for the 2025 season for the Sun Devils and what is higher: expectations from outside the team or inside; and how the Sun Devils will replace running back Cam Skattebo, now in the NFL.
Hear the rest of that interview here: 2025 Big 12 Media Days | C.J. Fite, Arizona State DL | July 8, 2025 – Big 12 Sound.
The fact that C.J. is so well-spoken is no surprise. He’s one of three children of Tatum’s Drenon and Tamara Fite, two lifelong educators. Tamara is the principal of Tatum Elementary School, and Drenon is the assistant superintendent of education for Tatum ISD.
ETBlitz.com interviewed C.J., his brother Trey, and dad Drenon last summer (FOOTBALL IS THEIR BUSINESS, & BUSINESS IS GOOD | Meet the Fites, and read about their fascinating football life).
With the Big 12 Media Days so close, only a couple of hours away from Tatum, C.J.’s parents were able to attend – and in fact, Drenon was actually pulled aside and interviewed by at least one member of the media, Cameron Cox of KPNX 12, an NBC affiliate in Arizona.
“Anytime that something is going on, we’re gonna be there to support (C.J.),” Drenon said. “So if we shoot marbles, we’re gonna be there. If it’s a competition going on, we will be there.
“That’s why I love this program because everything we do with the program is about family, as well. It’s just how I grew up and it’s how it is here, so it’s beautiful to see.”
The Fites have three children, as mentioned: in addition to C.J., there’s Trey, a linebacker for the University of Louisiana (whom we will soon feature) and Madison, who played volleyball at Texas Southern and Texas State, and is the new head volleyball coach at Gladewater!
Fite and his team made big-time believers out of a lot of people, including ESPN.com college football writer Bill Connelly. Here’s a link to Connelly’s Big 12 Conference preview (2025 Big 12 college football projections, preview – ESPN), and he references Fite.
“…the defense was just as responsible for ASU’s late-season surge as the offense, and of the 17 defenders with at least 200 snaps last season, a whopping 14 return,” Connelly wrote. “Tackle C.J. Fite made 12 run stops (a huge total for a 310-pounder), end Elijah O’Neal made 12.5 TFLs, and corners Keith Abney II and Javan Robinson combined for six interceptions and 17 breakups last season. The pass rush was merely decent and will need to improve, but depth and experience will be major strengths.”
Arizona State, like about every college football program, has several websites that are dedicated to covering the university’s sports. One of those is devilsindetail.com.
“Defensively, the Sun Devils saw two very deserving players get recognized. CJ Fite was one of the conference’s most disruptive interior defenders this past season, and figures to anchor a defense that played elite football down the stretch,” reporter David Howman wrote last week, in Frisco (more: Sam Leavitt, Sun Devils lead conference with most preseason All-Big 12 selections).
More on C.J., as he was interviewed on DevilsDigestTV, a YouTube Channel…
