ASU Football: With 2020’s flashes, Sun Devils hope backfield continues to evolve in 2021

(Photo courtesy Sun Devil Athletics)

Arizona State Football does not have a starting running back going into the 2021-2022 season. It has three.

“I’m not concerned [about a full season schedule]] because we have three very good backs that can handle the full load of 12-13 games,” ASU running backs coach Shaun Aguano said.

While the Sun Devils may not have the traditional lone bell-cow back of the past, they do possess a three-headed monster in the backfield that could propel the program to new heights. Junior Rachaad White, freshman Chip Trayanum and freshman Daniyel Ngata each add their own flair to an ASU backfield bellowing for national recognition.

“I’m confident in all three of them [White, Trayanum and Ngata],” Aguano said. “They all bring three different kinds of dynamics to the offense but they get the job done.”

Trayanum, an Akron native and former Ohio State commit, led the Sun Devils’ backfield in touches last season. The 5’11′, 230-pound freshman plays with power and aggression, and is a one-cut back in a power-back body. He has an uncanny ability to put his foot in the ground whether it be on read-option handoffs, zone runs or counter plays. Once he reaches second level defenders after his initial burst, arm tacklers might as well be dangling pool noodles.

Another trait Trayanum flashed in 2020 was his tendency to fall forward on tackles while being keenly aware of down and distance.

“The first running back I idolized was LT [LaDainian Tomlinson],” Trayanum said. “I do a lot of film studying. Watching backs like Zeke [Ezekiel Elliott] and Saquon [Barkley], just those bigger backs and seeing how they move. Just taking the little things from their game I think will help a lot.”

One of those “things” Trayanum is looking to add to his game in 2021: his performance on passing downs.

“My blocking and routes out of the backfield I’ve been working a lot on it,” Trayanum said. “Just trimming up my body, moving a lot better. I feel like as a route-runner now I can definitely be a threat out of the backfield.”

On the ground, Trayanum gained 290 yards and posted four scores on nearly six yards-per-attempt last season. Through the air, the freshman only tallied one reception for five yards in his four game taste of college football.

The upcoming season will give Trayanum and his colleagues an opportunity to feast in multiple ways.

“Everybody is coming back with that chip on their shoulder just because we got that bitter taste in our mouth,” Trayanum said. “We didn’t finish how we wanted to finish last season, having that four game stretch. Everybody is coming back hungry.”

The second back in the room is Kansas City-native Rachaad White, who’s hungry both figuratively and literally. The 6’2′, 195-pound back is going into the season with added tonnage to his frame.

“I say I’m more heavier, adding weight eating wise, but I’m also more heavier muscle wise.” White said. “I kinda been going to some little soul food spots, I went to one barbeque spot. I try to eat the food that they give us here because it’s free food, and I’m really blessed and thankful to have that. I eat some other food outside of here with a chef that I recently hooked up with.”

Premium fuel is needed when tending to the sports car-type of athlete White is. Much like a Lamborghini, White can glide from zero to 100 with ease. His acceleration, patience and big play potential have opposing coaches typically holding their breath every time he touches the football. White’s 10 yards-per-carry last season led the nation, and the JUCO transfer also led the Sun Devils in receiving yards with 151 yards.

White said he is looking to show off his improvement on the cerebral side come Saturdays in the fall.

“[With] my success, you got to give credit to the guys around me.” White said. [Offensive] line and my running back group, we push each other and we all have great success. Where I have improved so far is just getting better at understanding the knowledge of the game.”

The comparisons to thunder and lightning with White and Trayanum last year were common in ASU’s flashy backfield. But if those two are the power behind the storm, then Ngata is the rain, finding his niche as a slashing and slippery ball carrier in a crowded position group. When combined, the three are a monsoon to be reckoned with.

In 2020, it took a while for Ngata to find his groove after dealing with a hamstring injury in the spring. After seeing action in only two games last season, the California-native gained 108 yards on the ground and scored a touchdown. While his electric playing style may have been hampered at times due to inexperience, this year Ngata is focused on getting back to his old self.

“I saw in high school his ability to break away from defenders and play with confidence,” Aguano said. “I think this spring, after five practices, we’ve seen the old Daniyel back. He is confident, he is smiling, he is having fun out there and it is a great complement for the other two [White and Trayanum]. Those three are going to be a heck of a weapon for us in the backfield.”

2020 served as a snippet for the newly equipped ASU backfield. Last year White, Trayanum and Ngata were all fresh faces in the Sun Devils’ locker room. In the four-game sample size that was ASU’s COVID-19 riddled campaign, the group led all Power 5 schools with 6.41 yards-per-carry. This year, the Sun Devils will hope to see things through fully, as ASU is scheduled to play a standard season in the fall.

“I think we can achieve a lot really, it’s scary.” Trayanum said. “To have three backs like we do and just to know what we are capable of. To know that we all [aren’t] near the peak [of] our game, it’s very exciting. That’s why we work and push each other everyday because we know.”