Kenny Dillingham Reveals the Biggest Challenge in Replacing Cam Skattebo

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 3:30 PM ET

Although the Arizona State Sun Devils will have quarterback Sam Leavitt back under center in 2025, the reigning Big 12 champions have big shoes to fill at running back.

Last season, Cam Skattebo was seen as one of the top rushers in the sport, and the stats backed it up. He rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries while posting 45 receptions for 605 yards and three receiving scores.

Skattebo is in the NFL with the New York Giants after being selected in the fourth round of the NFL draft. That leaves Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham with the task of finding a way to replace all that production.

On Wednesday, the 35-year-old coach explained how the Sun Devils will reinvent their offense amid the challenge of replacing Skattebo while chatting on the "College GameDay Podcast" with ESPN's Rece Davis and Pete Thamel.

“It's going to be impossible for one player to replace (Skattebo)," Dillingham said. "He was a special talent, in my opinion, and it's impossible for one guy to do it. There's going to have to be a variety of guys that pick up his yardage."

Dillingham explained how it will be a full team effort from Leavitt to the entire running back room and even the wide receiver depth chart. He also highlighted Arizona State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Marcus Arroyo, who will need to use the team creatively to maximize production.

"So I think that's the challenge: How do we adapt, twist the offense and change the offense to pick up what we're losing in (Skattebo)," Dillingham said, "while also still having really good backs that we feel comfortable with running the football and giving the ball to."

Arizona State's top returners at running back are Kyson Brown and Raleek Brown. Kyson finished third on the team in rushing, behind Skattebo and Leavitt, with 351 yards and two scores on 73 carries. Raleek was limited to nine carries for 42 yards.

They are joined in the backfield by incoming transfer Kanye Udoh from the Army Black Knights. Udoh is coming off a huge season with the Army last season, where he rushed for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries.

Arizona State begins its 2025 season at home against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Aug. 30 at 10 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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