Arizona State will have a new quarterback in 2026.Four signal callers are in contention to take the Sun Devils into a new era come September.A four-way quarterback battle is unfolding at ASU this summerGettyThe starting role has opened up following the departure of Sam Leavitt, who has transferred to LSU to play for Lane Kiffin and the Tigers.He undoubtedly leaves a big hole on the roster, but one that ASU has the talent to fill.Cutter Boley, who has arrived in Tempe after two seasons with Kentucky, will battle sixth-year QB Mikey Keene, returning redshirt freshman Cam Dyer and true freshman Jake Fette for the No. 1 spot.Head coach Kenny Dillingham knows the competition in his quarterback room is fierce, and expects the battle to continue into fall camp.But while he’s yet to officially name his starter, the former Big 12 Coach of the Year has shared insight into what two traits will separate his top guy from the rest.Coach Dillingham outlines ‘vital’ factors in ASU quarterback battle“I definitely think consistency (is important), guys that you can trust on the field,” he told talkSPORT, speaking ahead of the Union Jack Classic that will see ASU face the Kansas Jayhawks at Wembley Stadium in September.“So when you’re debating on, you know, who you’re going to go with or who’s going to be the starter for you, you go to consistency. Do you know what this guy is going to bring every single day?“Because you can win if you know what you’re going to get.“Guys that are inconsistent, okay, you’re very, very good, then you’re not very good. Then you’re very, very good and you’re elite, then you’re not very good, right?“You don’t know what you’re going to get, which means it’s very hard to develop a game plan. It’s very hard for your football team to be consistent. So one is consistency.The Sun Devils need to replace Leavitt, who has departed for LSUGettyDillingham is looking for ‘vital’ traits in his new starting quarterbackGetty“And then two is, who does our team rally behind? You know, football, sports are emotional. It’s an emotional sport.“You’ve got to have passion, you got to have belief. You’ve got to believe in the dude that walks in the huddle and you’ve got to have faith that dude’s going to get it done.“So I’ll say that leadership quality of, do people follow you and do people believe in you?“I think those two things are vital when you’re talking if it’s a tie or a close battle, what those separating factors are.”Who is leading the race to be ASU’s starting quarterback?There’s no doubt that Coach Dillingham and his staff have a big decision to make in the coming weeks and months.Boley, who was the first QB to commit to ASU when the transfer portal opened, is seen by many as Leavitt’s successor.Boley is the presumed No. 1 quarterback, but faces a tough battleGettyBut Keene’s experience — which comes from stints with UCF, Fresno State and Michigan — shouldn’t be overlooked.Then there’s Fette, who is one of the highest-profile recruits that ASU has earned a commitment from in recent years, and who has already showcased his talent throughout spring camp.Dyer, meanwhile, remains a very talented passer who improved day-by-day through the spring.“It’s a good battle,” Coach Dillingham said last month, at the close of camp.Dillingham has spoken highly of his quarterbacks and wider rosterGetty“I like where we’re at. We’re not turning the ball over very much and that’s half the battle.”The quarterback position, of course, is the most important on the field.But Coach Dillingham knows the battle can’t be his sole focus this summer, and has hopes of the roster he’ll bring to London on 19 September, for a Big 12 clash that will unfold in front of up to 80,000 fans.“I think it’s the most depth we’ve had as a football team, top to bottom, which is a positive,” he added.“Our team is growing closer together, but I think we can get closer… I think we have the talent, and some guys out there that are going to play this game for a long time.“So we’ve got to put it all together, that’s the hardest part. The best teams can put it all together.”Tickets for Arizona State vs Kansas can be purchased now on the Union Jack Classic website.