Conference realignment benefited the Arizona State Sun Devils tremendously. In a wide-open Big-12, many analysts and experts predicted the 2024 Sun Devils would be near the bottom of the conference—many even thought they were dead last.
What followed was a Cinderella run for the ages, led by HC Kenny Dillingham and RB Cam Skattebo. Now, a year removed, will ASU build on its College Football Playoff success and make another run at the title?
Arizona State Looking To Build on 2024 Success
Well, people could not have been more wrong about the Sun Devils, and QB Sam Leavitt and RB Cam Skattebo were the main reasons why. A former Michigan State QB, Leavitt erupted for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. In addition, he added 443 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Skattebo is another player who broke out that nobody saw coming. In his second year with the Sun Devils after transferring from Sacramento State, he erupted for 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He also had three receiving touchdowns. Skattebo finished that season fifth in Heisman voting.
SKATTEBO GIVES ARIZONA STATE THE LEAD IN OT‼️ pic.twitter.com/L1IDhCL0xe
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025
The breakouts of Skattebo and Leavitt helped Arizona State win the Big 12 Conference, advance to the College Football Playoff, and earn a first-round bye. Unfortunately, they lost to the Texas Longhorns in a double-overtime thriller in the Peach Bowl.
Will the Sun Devils Repeat Their 2024-25 Success?
After that incredible season, the Sun Devils lost some talent to the NFL, including Skattebo, who was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Giants. Losing a player of Skattebo’s caliber is always tough. Still, there should be other options, especially in this day of college football, with the addition of NIL and a significant resurgence of the transfer portal.
ASU might not be able to fully replace Skattebo, but the Sun Devils are confident in RB Kyson Brown being the next man up. Brown had 351 rushing yards and two touchdowns this past season. The Sun Devils also brought in former Army Black Knights RB Kanye Udoh via the transfer portal, who can also be a key playmaker.
The Sun Devils heavily prioritized offensive talent in the offseason, especially at the wide receiver position. Their three most notable transfer additions are wide receivers Noble Johnson from Clemson, Jaren Hamilton from Alabama, and Jalen Moss from Fresno State. In addition, they recruited four three-star recruit wide receivers.
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Some other notable transfers were offensive line brothers Brent and Wade Helton from Iowa State. They also recruited a four-star tight end in Israel Briggs.
An incredible previous season, combined with a great quarterback and a solid transfer portal, extends Arizona State’s window of winning and competitiveness.
The Sun Devils look to once again repeat as Big-12 Champions and get back to the playoffs. They also look to go on a deeper run in the playoffs and even compete for the National Championship. With Leavitt, they definitely have the chance to do so if his play can continue or even improve even more.
Sun Devils fans should be ecstatic going into next season and for good reason. Star quarterback, defending conference champions, good offseason, what isn’t there to be excited about for next season?
In just a short time, head coach Kenny Dillingham has already built Arizona State into a competitive and winning program and culture. At age 35, barring he doesn’t make the jump to another program, he will be coaching for the Sun Devils for a long time.
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