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The 2026 season may be the year Arizona State actually uses a true running-back-by-committee approach.
There’s no Cam Skattebo, Eno Benjamin or Rachaad White on this year’s roster. In 2025, following Skattebo’s departure, there was some thought that both Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown could be a 1-2 punch in the backfield. But Kyson got hurt after the Mississippi State game on Sept. 3 and never fully recovered, playing in only four games.
Raleek slotted in as the starter and became the bell cow back, accounting for 68% of the team’s rushing output at running back. He’s gone now, having transferred to Texas.
The 2026 running back room is a mix of old faces, with Kyson Brown, Jason Brown Jr., Demarius Robinson, Grayson Rigdon, and new faces, with Marquis Gillis, David Avit and Cardae Mack.
"I think that room is probably one of the most up-in-the-air rooms, in terms of competition,” coach Kenny Dillingham said at his first press conference before the start of spring practice. “That room is going to be on.”
Dillingham said the plan is to use more 20 and 21 personnel on the field this upcoming season, which requires two running backs.
“That room’s gotta have a more versatile role, because we have so many backs. I’m really excited to see that room compete. I don’t know if there’s a specific guy I want to name out, because I’m excited to see Sip (Kyson) come back and get healthy, which he is now. I’m excited for that whole room to compete this spring. I think that’s going to be a very fun battle.”
Brown Jr., a four-star prospect out of high school in Seattle, ended the 2025 season with his best game as a Sun Devil, with 13 carries for 134 yards against Duke in the Sun Bowl.
He’s still frustrated about the fumble at the end of the game, which led Duke to take the lead and eventually win 42-39, but Brown Jr. comes into the new season with the most momentum out of all of the backs.
“It’s been a consistent confidence build since I’ve gotten here,” Brown Jr. said. “Getting more comfortable in the system, more acclimated with the people, environment. That game was a good time to go out there and prove what I can do. But honestly, the confidence has just been built throughout my whole process here at ASU.”
Brown Jr. is using that confidence as “fuel” as he tries to win the starting job.
Kyson Brown is now back at practice in full capacity and has looked good in drills so far. He’s one of the players fighting to be the starter.
So too are Marquis Gillis and David Avit. Gillis was injured to start spring practice and has missed the first few days. Avit has already started to draw praise from his coaches, coming right after Dillingham personally challenged him.
“He got stoned in the hole. I said, ‘You’ve been talking about how big you are.’ He came back and rammed behind his pads at a high level, ‘Like, man.’”
That’s exactly why Dillingham and the staff brought in Avit, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 225 pounds.
“When we were searching in the portal, we wanted a big back. One of the things we looked for was the most efficient backs on third-and-two and fourth-and-two, and less, and he was the most efficient guy statistically on those downs because he ran behind his pads,'' he said. "He’s doing more than that; he’s catching the ball, picking up pass pro. He’s doing a lot. Very happy with how he’s practiced so far.”
Avit (Villanova) and Gillis (Delaware State) are hoping to carry on the legacy of former FCS players making the transition to FBS and excelling in Tempe, just like Skattebo did when he left Sacramento State for ASU.
“I feel like my story is very similar to his,” Avit said, comparing himself to Skattebo. “I didn’t have many offers coming out of high school. I went FCS. I never had no stars — I wasn’t even on the recruiting site. To be able to be here now and see that it’s been done before, it really gives me a lot of inspiration.”
For the past seven years, not including the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, a running back has gained at least 1,000 scrimmage yards at Arizona State under running backs coach Shaun Aguano.
That streak could come to an end this season with the by-committee approach. But Aguano isn’t focused on streaks.
“We got seven great guys in that room,” Aguano said. “Every day, someone gets better and better. The grand scheme of things: who can I trust when it comes down to it? Every one of them works hard. We only have one bye. It’s going to be a long season for us, so we have to be ready — all seven guys have to be ready.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State football aiming for more 21 personnel in 2026 season
Continue reading...
There’s no Cam Skattebo, Eno Benjamin or Rachaad White on this year’s roster. In 2025, following Skattebo’s departure, there was some thought that both Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown could be a 1-2 punch in the backfield. But Kyson got hurt after the Mississippi State game on Sept. 3 and never fully recovered, playing in only four games.
Raleek slotted in as the starter and became the bell cow back, accounting for 68% of the team’s rushing output at running back. He’s gone now, having transferred to Texas.
The 2026 running back room is a mix of old faces, with Kyson Brown, Jason Brown Jr., Demarius Robinson, Grayson Rigdon, and new faces, with Marquis Gillis, David Avit and Cardae Mack.
"I think that room is probably one of the most up-in-the-air rooms, in terms of competition,” coach Kenny Dillingham said at his first press conference before the start of spring practice. “That room is going to be on.”
Dillingham said the plan is to use more 20 and 21 personnel on the field this upcoming season, which requires two running backs.
“That room’s gotta have a more versatile role, because we have so many backs. I’m really excited to see that room compete. I don’t know if there’s a specific guy I want to name out, because I’m excited to see Sip (Kyson) come back and get healthy, which he is now. I’m excited for that whole room to compete this spring. I think that’s going to be a very fun battle.”
Brown Jr., a four-star prospect out of high school in Seattle, ended the 2025 season with his best game as a Sun Devil, with 13 carries for 134 yards against Duke in the Sun Bowl.
He’s still frustrated about the fumble at the end of the game, which led Duke to take the lead and eventually win 42-39, but Brown Jr. comes into the new season with the most momentum out of all of the backs.
“It’s been a consistent confidence build since I’ve gotten here,” Brown Jr. said. “Getting more comfortable in the system, more acclimated with the people, environment. That game was a good time to go out there and prove what I can do. But honestly, the confidence has just been built throughout my whole process here at ASU.”
Brown Jr. is using that confidence as “fuel” as he tries to win the starting job.
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Kyson Brown is now back at practice in full capacity and has looked good in drills so far. He’s one of the players fighting to be the starter.
So too are Marquis Gillis and David Avit. Gillis was injured to start spring practice and has missed the first few days. Avit has already started to draw praise from his coaches, coming right after Dillingham personally challenged him.
“He got stoned in the hole. I said, ‘You’ve been talking about how big you are.’ He came back and rammed behind his pads at a high level, ‘Like, man.’”
That’s exactly why Dillingham and the staff brought in Avit, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 225 pounds.
“When we were searching in the portal, we wanted a big back. One of the things we looked for was the most efficient backs on third-and-two and fourth-and-two, and less, and he was the most efficient guy statistically on those downs because he ran behind his pads,'' he said. "He’s doing more than that; he’s catching the ball, picking up pass pro. He’s doing a lot. Very happy with how he’s practiced so far.”
Avit (Villanova) and Gillis (Delaware State) are hoping to carry on the legacy of former FCS players making the transition to FBS and excelling in Tempe, just like Skattebo did when he left Sacramento State for ASU.
“I feel like my story is very similar to his,” Avit said, comparing himself to Skattebo. “I didn’t have many offers coming out of high school. I went FCS. I never had no stars — I wasn’t even on the recruiting site. To be able to be here now and see that it’s been done before, it really gives me a lot of inspiration.”
For the past seven years, not including the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, a running back has gained at least 1,000 scrimmage yards at Arizona State under running backs coach Shaun Aguano.
That streak could come to an end this season with the by-committee approach. But Aguano isn’t focused on streaks.
“We got seven great guys in that room,” Aguano said. “Every day, someone gets better and better. The grand scheme of things: who can I trust when it comes down to it? Every one of them works hard. We only have one bye. It’s going to be a long season for us, so we have to be ready — all seven guys have to be ready.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at [email protected] or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State football aiming for more 21 personnel in 2026 season
Continue reading...
