Without Skattebo, ASU running backs room begins a new era

(Photo: Grace Johnson/WCSN)

Following the 2024 season, the Arizona State football team lost one of its most important pieces from its astounding season. Running back Cam Skattebo left for the NFL Draft, after rushing for 1711 yards en route to a Big 12 Conference title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.

Now, the Sun Devils are assigned the near-impossible task of replacing one of their program legends. Rising juniors Kyson Brown and Kanye Udoh, alongside rising redshirt junior Raleek Brown, are fighting for action in the backfield. The room has its share of youth, as redshirt freshman Jason Brown Jr. and freshman Demarious “Man Man” Robinson can also see playing time.

However, “you can only play three maximum. Maybe a fourth situationally,” ASU football head coach Kenny Dillingham said Saturday. As a result, the group of five will be using spring to show why they deserve a spot in the starting offense.

Raleek Brown is one of the most versatile players in the running back room and can be expected to fill in on the passing game. Similar to Skattebo, the bulk of the offensive screen pass looks have used Raleek Brown in some capacity.

Sun Devils running backs coach Shaun Aguano said that Raleek Brown offers “a mismatch with backers. Explosiveness, quickness, and his ability to go the long way.”

Raleek Brown is comfortable lining up as a wide receiver, whether it be in the slot or outside. In his first two collegiate seasons, Raleek Brown played at USC, where he didn’t have frequent playing time, but when he was used his speed and shiftiness allowed him to be all over the field.

Behind a strong freshman campaign, he struggled to stay on the field in 2023. After two seasons in Los Angeles, he moved to Tempe ahead of the 2024 season but couldn’t play in all but two games. Raleek Brown hurt his hamstring and was medically redshirted, saving him a year of eligibility.

“(It was) real disappointing but that’s how life works,” Raleek Brown said. “So just got to keep pushing, staying patient, and just keep the main thing, the main thing.”

Now, he’ll be looking to get going again in 2025 and filling in just one piece of what Skattebo brought. Another piece to Aguano and Dillingham’s running back puzzle is Udoh.

The transfer from Army can help to bring power to this running back group, similar to the levels of Skattebo. Through two seasons at West Point, Udoh ran for over 1600 rushing yards in Army’s run-heavy offense.

“Taught me how to run the ball. Obviously taught me how to get those tough yards,” Udoh said. “You gotta get back to the line of scrimmage and get those tough three, four yards that really make the difference in the drive.”

The move to Tempe provides Udoh with change both on and off the field. Off the field, the adjustment from the rigorous schedule of being a cadet, to now only getting to focus on classes and of course football.

On the field, Army threw the ball 7.5 times per game in 2024, the lowest in the country. Meanwhile, the Sun Devils threw the ball 27.3 times per game, 102nd in the country, yet almost 20 more times than Army. As a result, Udoh only has a pair of catches in his career, for a total of three yards.

If there was a range of running backs, Raleek Brown would be on one side due to his shiftiness, while Udoh would be on the other side due to the power he runs with. As for Kyson Brown, he would be right in the middle, offering glimpses of both sides.

Kyson Brown is the most familiar face to Sun Devil fans, as he’s getting ready to suit up for his third season in maroon and gold. Through two seasons he’s only accounted for 457 rushing yards, as a result of Skattebo’s prowess atop the depth chart.

“He’s been taking over the leadership in that room and he’s got to continue to grow and get better,” Aguano said. “Right know, knowledge and experience wise, he knows the best about this offense… He’s gotta compete and make sure he stays at that number one.”

Despite not getting that much playing time, Kyson Brown has stepped up when called upon. Against Central Florida in 2024, he ran for 73 yards on 18 carries, with three catches for 21 yards, while Skattebo sat out injured. He also ran for 100 yards on eight carries, adding a 31-yard catch, as ASU beat Arizona for the Territorial Cup.

The last veteran in the running back room is redshirt senior Alton McCaskill who has struggled since his freshman season at Houston. For the Cougars in 2021, McCaskill ran for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns on 189 carries but has battled injury since. He missed all of the 2022 season and has played six games over the last two years.

If McCaskill can return to his freshman-year form it will be a welcome sight, but regardless he will be a welcomed veteran presence to Robinson and Jason Brown Jr. Jason Brown Jr. has displayed his explosion through numerous drills, while Robinson has shown tenacity in his runs, breaking tackles and running through defenders.

“I don’t know what their role is going to be. I know hopefully that they’re ready to play,” Aguano said. “I’ve seen good flashes out of both of them. Just knowing the offense, being comfortable with the offense, taking care of the football.”

One thing the youngsters and the veterans in the running back room have shown is competitiveness. Through drills at practice, you can immediately tell each player is pushing each other to get the best out of them. As the spring season is winding down, the competition will only continue into the fall, as Aguano looks to get the best out of his guys.

“They’re trying to find their place. They’re competing for a job,” Aguano said. “Those six guys in that room are working really hard and we’ll see who climbs to the top.”