Cam Skattebo was the guy who changed it all for Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils. He is now in the NFL, leaving behind a sore gap in the roster. However, QB Sam Leavitt is no less of a star either. While Skattebo wowed the audience with his speed and running ability, Leavitt made history by leading the team to an impressive Big 12 conference title in 2024. If it weren’t for their fated loss against Texas in the playoffs, the Sun Devils under Leavitt would’ve come closer to creating history. After a rejuvenated season, Leavitt is poised to be one of college football’s top-ranked players in the season. An insider throws light on what’s in store for them this season.

Arizona State is no longer an underdog. They’re a star program in the Big 12 conference, all thanks to that one season. Leavitt took charge of a team that was coming from a 3-9 record in 2023. In his debut year at Arizona State, Leavitt threw for 2,885 yards and 24 TDs, and had a completion percentage of 61.7%. Together with Cam Skattebo, Leavitt led the Sun Devils to their first conference title and playoff spot for the first time in 18 years. But the RB’s loss will be deeply felt. Replacing him is the No. 1 priority for Kenny Dillingham, as pointed out by Joel Klatt too.

“They’ve got to find a way to recoup the loss of Cam Skattebo. Skattebo was so important to them,” the analyst added. But it won’t be easy replacing a player who broke the program record for most rushing yards in the season. Along with that, Skattebo is also the first player to cross 2000 yards from the line of scrimmage. “Even outside of just the numbers that he produced, you know, he was terrific for them in so many different ways,” Klatt added afterward. Sports Illustrated labeled Skattebo as the “beating heart” of the program.

Skattebo rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 TDs while also throwing for 605 yards and 3 TDs. He was an RB who had no problem running opposing defenses over and played with an aggressive mindset. RB coach Shaun Aguano has a deep running back room to choose from for his next pick. But he’ll have to pick someone who can impact the program like Skattebo.

Projected to finish disastrously in the season, Skattebo and Leavitt led the team to a conference championship. A top favorite for Skattebo’s replacement is Kanye Udoh. But there’s also Kyson Browne as a probable option.

Joel Klatt shares tough verdict for ASU

However, even after Skattebo’s departure, Sam Leavitt seems to be pretty confident. His strongest arsenal on the field will be his rapport with WR Jordan Tyson. Their pair stands to be a lethal one in college football. He comes with only 470 yards from his time at Colorado. He is the No. 1 receiver on the team as the program phases out of Cam Skattebo’s performance. “[That’s] going to be a huge difference for Sam Leavitt now got to replace Scadaboo,”

If Dillingham can publish a 12-2 record from a 3-9, there’s no limit to how high the ceiling can be raised this season. He worked that magic once, and he can do it once again in 2025. And that’s exactly what Klatt said about the Sun Devils’ 2025 campaign. “This is an offense with Kenny Dillingham at the helm. They’re going to put up points. This is a team that is going to have a chance to repeat as Big 12 champions,” he argued. But before that, there is a minor snag that has to be taken care of.

The road to replicating their 2024 success faces a key challenge. Competition is so fierce here, and the crowded conference was back at what they do best. “It’s going to be difficult because again, this is a league in the Big 12. That’s going to have like six, seven, eight teams that are all going to be matched up. I would say somewhat evenly, and it can go here or there, whether a team is actually going to go out there. And then win it, they did, or they fall off and they’re just like a 500 football team. I think that it could be that tight.”

Leavitt is a key part of Kenny Dillingham’s puzzle for their 2025 campaign. His heroics will be remembered for that Texas game, which sadly ended their fabulous season so far. This year, can Leavitt and Dillingham & Co. make it big in the season?