(Photo: Connor Gleason/WCSN)
TEMPE – Since being hired as Arizona State football’s running backs coach in 2019, Shaun Aguano has embraced a bellcow-style identity when it comes to developing and producing ball carriers.
Under his tutelage, the Sun Devils have only failed to produce a 1,000-yard rusher once while players such as Eno Benjamin, Rachaad White and Cam Skattebo are competing at the pro level.
However, the 2026 season is shaping up to be a change in direction as the coach sets his sights on achieving a lofty goal.
“I envision two 1,000-yard rushers,” Aguano said. “That’s my dream.”
Less than two weeks remain before ASU’s home opener against Morgan State, meaning that decisions about who will take the top spots on the depth chart loom for each member of the coaching staff. Aguano himself is making no promises on what the pecking order will look like at the running back position.
“It’s all the same, still up in the air,” Aguano said. “I think that we’re closing down who will be the starter, the one that I trust the most, and then who’s the next guys. Especially if we’re gonna be in different packages, now it becomes situational on who the guy’s gonna be.”
Head coach Kenny Dillingham stated his plan to utilize formations that required two running backs before the start of spring practices. This came after the addition of sixth-year Delaware State transfer Marquis Gillis, third-year Villanova transfer David Avit and four-star Texas high school prospect Cardae Mack.
With fourth-year Kyson Brown, third-year Jason Brown Jr., second-year Demarius “Man Man” Robinson and second-year Grayson Rigdon all returning, the Sun Devils have no shortage of talent in the backfield.
Although the use of 20 and 21 personnel will open the door for contributions across the position group, the margin for error during practices and scrimmages hasn’t lessened under Agauno’s watch.
“If we go to two-back, it’ll help us out a lot because then there’s two guys on the field, but whenever they go in and have their opportunity, they have to make sure that they take advantage of the opportunity, or that opportunity might not come again,” Aguano said.
The coach’s emphasis on competitiveness, minimizing mistakes and earning trust does not exclude players who are already familiar with the program.
“They’re learning that they better step it up because complacency is not gonna get you played,” Aguano said. “We have two starters in the Duke game that are fighting for positions now. (Kyson Brown) is fighting for position.”
Kyson Brown continued to mostly run with the first-string offense during Wednesday’s practice. Gillis also received his fair share of opportunities with the first team, but also appeared when sixth-year Mikey Keene and first-year Jake Fette were under center with the second unit.
On one occasion, Gillis caught a pass from Fette on a wheel route and tightroped down the left sideline for a big gain.
“It’s hard to come from another school and come in and expect to know everything,” Aguano said. “It’s a learning process every day. He’s picking it up really quick, though.”
When the second-string offense took the field, Brown Jr. and Robinson were consistently lined up next to Keene. Both backs flashed their agility and acceleration as they took advantage of open lanes at the line of scrimmage before outrunning any defenders that tried to chase them down.
Avit also found a gap for a huge run of his own while rotating into the second team alongside Rigdon and Mack. Rigdon, in particular, has made himself known during fall camp, including a strong showing during a scrimmage at Mountain America Stadium on Saturday where he caught a Keene pass for an 80-yard touchdown.
Outside of evaluating how his players perform with the ball in their hands, Aguano has also taken note of their progression and blocking ability.
“Protecting the quarterback is the number one thing, and so we play a huge part in that,” Aguano said. “That’s a huge part of the trust part. That’ll play a big part in who’s going to play or not.”
As fall camp rolls into preparations for the start of a new season, all seven candidates in the Sun Devils’ running back room have made their case in the race for depth chart position.
Aguano has done what he can to help mold the position group into a tight-knit unit, yet the choices soon to be made on his part revolve solely around who provides ASU with the best chance of winning.
“I tell them I love them every day, they understand that,” Aguano said. “But when it comes down to it, who’s the best player on the field?”
