Just as ASU football’s preparations for the Big 12 Championship game are coming to a close before heading to Texas, several players have been recognized for flipping a 3-9 program in 2023 to one that is 10-2 and a College Football Playoff hopeful.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!On Thursday, the conference revealed its All-Big 12 first-team, second-team and honorable mentions, with 11 Sun Devils rewarded for their efforts.
Sun Devil Honorees
All-Big 12 First Team: Running back Cam Skattebo, defensive back Xavion Alford, wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, offensive lineman Leif Fautanu
All-Big 12 Second Team: Linebacker Keyshaun Elliott, tight end Chamon Metayer, defensive lineman C.J. Fite, quarterback Sam Leavitt
All-Big 12 Honorable Mentions: Linebacker Caleb McCullough, offensive lineman Ben Coleman, defensive back Myles Rowser
In addition, Leavitt became the Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Tyson was the Offensive Newcomer of the Year and Skattebo was an honorable mention for the Offensive Player of the Year.
Leavitt has completed 180-of-287 passes (62.7%) for 2,444 yards, 21 touchdowns and just five interceptions in 11 games. The Michigan State transfer was the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week three times and was a remarkable 10-1 in the regular season, suffering a rib injury against Utah that caused him to be sidelined for the 24-14 loss to Cincinnati.
Even though his season has come to an abrupt close, Tyson shined at ASU after transferring from Colorado and established strong chemistry with Leavitt. The 6-foot-1 wideout finished the season with 75 receptions for 1,101 yards and 14 touchdowns before going down with an undisclosed injury in the second half of this past Saturday’s Territorial Cup tilt vs. Arizona. He won’t be available against Iowa State in the conference title game.
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders went on to be the Offensive Player of the Year, but that shouldn’t detract from how important and dominant Skattebo has been for the Sun Devils.
Nov 30, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) against the Arizona Wildcats in the first half during the Territorial Cup at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
A big reason why Arizona State is 10-2 has been Skattebo who has rushed for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns from 247 carries while also picking up 35 receptions for an additional 468 yards and two touchdowns. He either was the outright winner or shared the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week honor five times this year, the most by anyone in the conference.
Becoming an invaluable piece for ASU defensive coordinator Brian Ward, Alford has been a standout after not playing for the past two seasons. After sitting out all of the 2022 season with a leg injury and seeing his second-time transfer waiver denied in 2023 when switching from Texas to USC and ASU, Alford has amassed 75 tackles, defended two passes and snagged two interceptions in 774 defensive snaps.
Despite individual players receiving accolades, they have said numerous times this year that the awards are cool but what is most important is the team as a whole.
The Sun Devils will have the chance to win silverware in the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday at 10 a.m. MST in Arlington, Texas.
As a side note, following three seasons (2021-23) at ASU, former Sun Devil defensive lineman BJ Green II became the Defensive Newcomer of the Year at Colorado. He totaled 30 tackles, 7.5 sacks and forced two fumbles for the Buffaloes.
ASU Signing Day Breakdown, what two players could make an immediate impact
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
