GOOD NEWS: Netflix Set to Release Documentary on Arizona State Football
Tempe, AZ — In a move that’s already generating buzz across the college football landscape, Netflix has officially announced a brand-new, in-depth documentary series chronicling the long and winding journey of the Arizona State Sun Devils football program. Titled “Forks Up: The Arizona State Football Chronicles”, the six-part docuseries promises to offer a revealing and emotional exploration into the highs and lows of a program defined by potential, perseverance, and passionate fan support.
Set for global release this fall, just ahead of the 2025 college football season, the documentary represents the latest addition to Netflix’s growing sports content library—and could signal a turning point in public perception and national attention toward ASU football.
A Story Worth Telling
For decades, Arizona State University has cultivated a unique place in the college football universe. Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, ASU’s Sun Devil Stadium has witnessed moments of glory, heartbreak, controversy, and reinvention. From the Frank Kush era of dominance in the 1970s to the electric days of Jake Plummer in the 1990s, to the tumultuous but headline-grabbing tenures of coaches like Dennis Erickson and Herm Edwards, ASU football has never lacked for drama.
That rich tapestry of history is what caught the attention of Netflix producers.
“The Arizona State football story isn’t just about wins and losses,” said executive producer Jennie Hartfield. “It’s about identity. It’s about rebirth. It’s about how a program fights to matter—not just in the Pac-12 or Big 12, but on a national scale.”
Indeed, as the Sun Devils prepare for their highly anticipated entrance into the Big 12 Conference this fall, the timing of the documentary is ideal. Netflix’s cameras have been rolling since early 2024, capturing not only historical footage but also exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the coaching staff, team meetings, player development, and the campus culture that powers Sun Devil Nation.
Episode Breakdown: What to Expect
Forks Up will span six one-hour episodes, each with a distinct thematic focus, blending archival footage with present-day interviews, dramatic reenactments, and candid moments from players and coaches alike.
Episode 1: “Desert Origins”
This episode explores the founding of Arizona State football, dating back to its earliest years in the early 20th century. It focuses heavily on the program’s growth under legendary head coach Frank Kush, who helped turn ASU into a western powerhouse in the 1960s and 1970s. Interviews with former players, historians, and sportswriters paint a vivid picture of how ASU forged a reputation for tough, hard-nosed football in the desert.
Episode 2: “Jake the Snake and the ‘97 Rose Bowl Run”
The 1996-97 season is often considered the high-water mark in modern ASU football. Led by charismatic quarterback Jake Plummer, the Sun Devils stunned the nation with an undefeated regular season before falling heartbreakingly short of a national title in the Rose Bowl against Ohio State. This episode dives deep into that season, with fresh interviews from Plummer, Coach Bruce Snyder’s family, and several former teammates.
Episode 3: “Booms and Busts: The 2000s”
This rollercoaster chapter examines the inconsistent but always entertaining ASU football era from 2000–2010. From Andrew Walter’s record-breaking passing performances to the arrival of NFL-caliber talents like Terrell Suggs and Zach Miller, ASU remained competitive but never quite elite. The episode also covers the underwhelming Dennis Erickson years and the buildup to a new direction.
Episode 4: “The Herm Edwards Experiment”
Perhaps the most controversial period in ASU’s recent history, Herm Edwards’ time in Tempe is put under the microscope. The episode explores the surprising hiring of the former NFL coach, the early recruiting success, and the eventual NCAA investigation that derailed momentum. Insiders offer varying perspectives on whether the Herm era was a mistake or a bold attempt at innovation.
Episode 5: “The Dillingham Rebuild”
This current-day-focused episode centers on head coach Kenny Dillingham, who became the youngest head coach in the FBS when he took the job in 2022. With unprecedented access to practice sessions, locker room speeches, recruiting calls, and one-on-one interviews with Dillingham, this episode highlights the fresh energy and modern approach he’s bringing to the program. It also examines the challenges of rebuilding amid sanctions, transfer portal chaos, and conference realignment.
Episode 6: “Big 12 Dreams and the Future of the Desert”
The final episode is forward-looking, offering a glimpse into what the move to the Big 12 means for ASU football. This episode captures the excitement of a new conference, renewed recruiting pipelines, and how the Sun Devils plan to establish themselves as contenders in unfamiliar territory. The season ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that ASU’s best days may lie just over the desert horizon.
High-Profile Interviews and Cameos
Netflix has spared no effort in bringing in star power. Interviewees include:
- Jake Plummer, who emerges as the emotional center of the series.
- Pat Tillman’s family and former teammates, offering heartfelt reflections on the fallen hero’s legacy.
- Todd Graham, Herm Edwards, and Kenny Dillingham, all of whom provide candid, often surprising insights.
- ESPN personalities like Kirk Herbstreit and Rece Davis.
- NFL stars who passed through ASU, such as Terrell Suggs, N’Keal Harry, and Brandon Aiyuk.
- Local legends, including alumni, superfans, and long-time Arizona Republic reporters.
A Recruiting Boost?
While the documentary’s value lies in storytelling, its potential impact on recruiting can’t be overstated. ASU has long competed for attention in a crowded Western football market that includes USC, Oregon, and now Texas and Oklahoma. But a documentary that shows the inner workings of a rising program could turn heads among top high school prospects.
Dillingham, for one, welcomes it.
“We’re not afraid to show who we are,” he said during a team meeting captured by Netflix cameras. “If a recruit watches this and feels like they belong here—then it worked.”
The Sun Devils have already seen increased social media engagement and positive national press in the weeks following Netflix’s announcement. Several recruits have even posted on X (formerly Twitter) expressing excitement about ASU’s involvement in the project.
Inside Access: What Makes This Different
One of the major appeals of Forks Up is how intimate it promises to be. While shows like Last Chance U and QB1 offered fly-on-the-wall perspectives of individual seasons or players, Forks Up goes much deeper—tracing the cultural shifts, institutional challenges, and deeply human stories behind a century-old program. The show’s cinematography has been described by insiders as “cinematic and raw,” featuring sweeping desert landscapes, gritty sideline audio, and emotional player testimonials.
Moreover, producers say they intentionally focused on diversity within the team—highlighting not just star athletes, but also walk-ons, academic overachievers, and staff members like team nutritionists, trainers, and academic advisors who often go unrecognized.
Netflix’s Growing Sports Footprint
The success of Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Full Swing, and Quarterback has proven that there’s a massive global appetite for well-produced, story-driven sports content. College football—especially programs outside the usual blueblood orbit—remains a relatively untapped narrative goldmine.
Netflix’s foray into the ASU story could signal a broader strategy to spotlight programs with compelling arcs and regional loyalty. ASU, with its massive student body, innovative athletic department, and recent push into digital storytelling, made for an ideal test case.
“You don’t have to win national championships to have a story worth telling,” said director Marcus Bell. “ASU is about grit, reinvention, and defying expectations—and that’s what audiences connect with.”
Fans React: A Surge of Pride and Nostalgia
Since the announcement, ASU fans have taken to social media and message boards in droves to express their excitement—and cautious optimism.
On Reddit and ASU forums, longtime fans shared emotional posts about their earliest Sun Devil memories, the heartbreak of the 1997 Rose Bowl, and their hopes for the Big 12 era. Some even joked that Netflix should release a “therapy companion series” for fans who’ve weathered decades of close calls and letdowns.
The official ASU Football account has leaned into the hype, teasing behind-the-scenes photos and encouraging fans to use the hashtag #ForksUpNetflix in anticipation of the premiere.
Premiere Date and Viewing Details
Netflix confirmed that Forks Up: The Arizona State Football Chronicles will premiere September 12, 2025, just days before the Sun Devils open Big 12 play. All six episodes will be available to stream simultaneously, allowing viewers to binge or savor at their own pace.
A red-carpet premiere event will be held in Tempe, featuring cast members, alumni, and special guests, with tickets available to students and season ticket holders via lottery.
Final Thoughts: A Desert Awakening
In a sport dominated by tradition-rich programs, it’s easy to overlook the ones still forging their identities. But Forks Up arrives at a time when Arizona State football is ripe for reinvention—and perhaps ready to finally shed the “sleeping giant” label that has followed it for decades.
Whether you’re a diehard Sun Devil, a curious college football fan, or someone who just loves a great underdog story, Netflix’s upcoming documentary promises to be more than entertainment—it’s a celebration, a reckoning, and a desert sunrise for a program ready to rise again