With revamped running back room, Sun Devils show early potential

(Photo: Jakob Brooks/WCSN)

TEMPE – Since Shaun Aguano became Arizona State football’s running backs coach in 2019, the Sun Devil fans at Mountain America Stadium have become accustomed to watching elite players in the offense’s backfield.

Eno Benjamin, Rachaad White and Xazavian Valladay all posted 1,000-plus-yard seasons in Aguano’s opening three full seasons. In 2023, Cameron Skattebo put up 783 yards before rewriting the ASU history books with 1,711 yards and a school-record 21 rushing touchdowns in 2024.

Heading into the 2025 season, Aguano and the Sun Devils looked for options to rebuild their running back room with Skattebo beginning his NFL career with the New York Giants.

The decision? A three-headed monster led by Raleek Brown, Kyson Brown and Kanye Udoh.

The only problem? The results weren’t plentiful. Raleek Brown went for over 1,000 yards, but Kyson Brown’s playing time was limited by injuries and Udoh struggled to see the field. After the season, Raleek Brown initially entered the draft before transferring to Texas, and Udoh transferred to Liberty.

That left Kyson Brown alone in the backfield, with Aguano again needing to rebuild his running back room.

After just one game, the running back reconstruction around Kyson Brown paid dividends for ASU’s (1-0) offense in a 70-7 win over Morgan State (0-1), which was lifted by its dominance on the ground.

“Our guys played hard,” head coach Kenny Dillingham said. “You can see the physicality of this football team. They were trying to play physically and establish identity.”

Fourth-year Kyson Brown’s leadership made him the logical choice to head the new running back identity, after he was limited to four games in 2025. Against Morgan State, Brown led the Sun Devils’ starting running backs in touches, as he had six carries for 80 yards, and added a reception for 11 yards.

Second-year running back Grayson Rigdon is the only other returner of the primary four running backs from the opening game. However, he saw playing time sparingly in his first collegiate campaign. Saturday night, the story couldn’t have been more different.

Through the air and on the ground, Aguano and offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo called Rigdon’s No. 21 frequently.

Rigdon had two catches that ended in the end zone, one for 54 yards and another for 56. Yet, even with the highlight plays, Rigdon’s mindset was clear that he was onto the next play and next drive after each moment.

“Keep stacking days and not letting it get to my head,” Rigdon said. “Just go take care of my body after this and get ready for the next one.”

First-year Cardae Mack appeared in the first game of his collegiate career and displayed promising flashes for the future. On the stat sheet, he only had three carries for 24 yards, but helped ASU establish the run game through its frequent usage of 21 personnel.

Sixth-year Marquis Gillis was the final beneficiary of the Sun Devils’ starting ground game. Gillis, a transfer from Delaware State, ran for 27 yards on two carries, including a 25-yard touchdown on his first touch of the game, but the highlight of his night came on one of two Rigdon receiving touchdowns.

“Go watch Marquise Gillis on the big play to Rigdon,” Dillingham said. “He was the fake, and then he winds up lead blocking, after he was the fake, for a touchdown.”

Gillis wasn’t the only skill player to help out blocking, as wide receivers including fourth-year Reed Harris helped the Sun Devils backfield march to the end zone.

“Blocking’s going to help a big play happen,” Harris said. “I feel like what happens speaks for itself, just making plays downfield, getting running backs downfield.”

After the starters took a 56-7 lead midway through the third quarter, Dillingham spread the love, placing third-years Jason Brown Jr. and David Avit in the backfield.

Brown Jr. and Avit continued the Sun Devils’ ground procession into the fourth quarter, as Brown Jr. added 60 yards, with Avit adding eight.

Now, the Sun Devils will be looking to build consistency in this year’s revamped running back room.

A year ago, ASU’s offense averaged 216.6 rushing yards per game through the opening five games. In the three games after Kyson Brown was ruled out for the season, the Sun Devils averaged 107.3 yards per game.

In total against Morgan State, ASU ran for 249 yards on 35 attempts. Next week, the Sun Devils travel to College Station, Texas, to take on last year’s 40th-ranked rush defense: the No. 8 Texas A&M Aggies.

“We came out tonight and executed our game plan,” third-year quarterback Cutter Boley said. “This game really helped us see some of the things we did bad, a lot of the things we did. Taking that away and continuing with the game plan, week in and week out.”