Arizona State Professional Athletes

The Sun Devil in the Spotlight

Cam Skattebo isn't interested in being anyone's underdog — and he'll say so to your face.

The Arizona State product has emerged as the unquestioned engine of a New York Giants offense that nobody saw coming. After a 36-24 dismantling of the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4 — a game in which Skattebo carried for 58 yards and added a reception — the Giants moved to 3-1 and claimed sole possession of first place in the NFC East for the first time since 2015. Skattebo didn't let the moment pass quietly. He publicly blasted oddsmakers for making New York home underdogs against Arizona, calling the slight "dumb" in remarks that ricocheted across the league.

Head coach John Harbaugh has been equally blunt in his praise — and in his demands. Harbaugh acknowledged this week that the Giants need more explosive runs out of the backfield, noting that Skattebo's longest carry this season is a 13-yarder. The candid critique underscores what Skattebo already appears to know: this team's ceiling is higher, and the standard is rising to match the moment. Despite a minor injury scare heading into Week 5, Skattebo was cleared and declared good to go for Sunday's divisional clash against the Washington Commanders — a game with legitimate NFC East title implications attached to it.

For a player who entered the league with something to prove, the early returns are unmistakable. Skattebo isn't just surviving as a starting NFL back — he's becoming the identity of a franchise rediscovering its footing.

Waiting Game in New Orleans

While Skattebo thrives under the lights, fellow Sun Devil Jordyn Tyson remains firmly in the shadows — and the timeline for his NFL debut keeps slipping.

The Saints drafted Tyson with first-round expectations and a clear role in mind: become one of Tyler Shough's primary targets in a revamped New Orleans passing attack. Through four weeks of the 2026 season, that vision hasn't materialized. Tyson has yet to play a single snap. A hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve, and the latest reports indicate he's still weeks away from being activated — and even once eligible, the Saints aren't expected to rush him back.

The good news, if there is any, is that New Orleans hasn't completely stalled without him. Shough has built early chemistry with Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele, giving the offense a functional identity in Tyson's absence. But the Saints drafted him to be more than a depth option, and every week that passes is a week of development — and opportunity — that he can't reclaim.

For ASU fans tracking both alumni, Week 5 offers a sharp contrast: one Sun Devil heading into a division showdown as a budding star, another watching from the sideline as his NFL story waits for a first chapter.

Three Arizona State alumni are commanding attention in the NFL this week — one first-round pick seizing his moment, one running back proving his value in a tight win, and another whose absence is reshaping a playoff contender's backfield.

Iheanachor Answers the Bell in Pittsburgh

The biggest Sun Devil story of the week belongs to rookie offensive tackle Max Iheanachor. The first-round pick made his first career NFL start for the Steelers and delivered — earning strong marks from Pro Football Focus in a significant Pittsburgh victory. Coach Mike McCarthy's decision to slot Iheanachor alongside Brock Hoffman on the right side of the line opened running lanes that fueled Jaylen Warren's standout rushing performance, suggesting the Steelers may have found an offensive formula that works.

The reviews were glowing, but Iheanachor is already being told not to get comfortable. Ben Roethlisberger issued a pointed warning to the rookie ahead of a matchup with the Browns, noting that Cleveland will present a starkly different challenge than what Iheanachor faced in his debut. The stakes just went up — fast.

Skattebo Delivers When It Counts for New York

Cam Skattebo was one of four players credited with saving the Giants in their grinding 12-7 win over the Titans in Week 3. The ASU product totaled 60 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards on three catches — including a pivotal 30-yard reception that Sports Illustrated identified as one of the key moments that kept New York's lead intact against Tennessee.

It wasn't a clean afternoon for the Giants — quarterback Jameis Winston accidentally tackled Skattebo in the backfield on one memorable early play — but the former Sun Devil continued to carve out a central role in New York's offense. With J.J. McCarthy now traded to the Giants, the longer-term trajectory of that offense is in flux, but Skattebo's immediate contribution isn't in question. He's locked in as a Week 4 focal point, telling reporters he's staying focused on his game with the Giants preparing to face Jeremiyah Love's arrival.

White's Injury Clouds Washington's Backfield

Rachaad White had a productive outing in Washington's Week 3 win over Seattle — 35 rushing yards, a receiving touchdown, and a 6-yard catch — but it came at a cost. White suffered a shoulder injury in that game and has been the most notable absence in Commanders practice ahead of their Week 4 London matchup against the Colts.

White was the only player on the London trip not practicing on Wednesday, missed again Thursday, and was ultimately ruled out for the game. The void opens the door for Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veteran Austin Ekeler to absorb backfield touches. Washington is already managing uncertainty at quarterback, with Jayden Daniels — another ASU alum — limited with an elbow injury but not ruled out and wearing a brace for the rest of the season. White's timeline remains unclear, and his absence adds meaningful pressure to an already fragile Commanders offense navigating a cross-Atlantic road trip.

Skattebo Steps Into the Storm

When Jaxson Dart went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Giants needed someone to steady the locker room. Cam Skattebo — the Arizona State product who the Giants selected — stepped forward without hesitation.

Skattebo called Dart "my best friend" in the immediate aftermath and openly admitted the news hit him emotionally. But he wasn't wallowing. Speaking ahead of Week 3, Skattebo delivered a rallying cry: "Our crowd's gotta be lit — we have a really good shot at this." All-Pro offensive tackle Andrew Thomas has publicly backed the call to expand Skattebo's role, signaling that the locker room is aligned behind its Sun Devil running back as the offense recalibrates.

On the field, Skattebo showed he can carry the load. In Monday's loss to the Rams, he totaled 36 rushing yards and added four catches for 19 receiving yards — modest numbers in a difficult game, but meaningful in context. The Giants are going to need more of exactly that.

As a side note to Skattebo's rise: Titans coach Robert Saleh revealed this week that Kyle Shanahan "loved" Skattebo in the draft process and the 49ers nearly pulled the trigger before New York stepped in. Giants fans can exhale.

---

Iheanachor Ready to Start in Pittsburgh

The Steelers' offensive line has been under scrutiny all season, and rookie first-rounder Max Iheanachor is pushing to be the answer. After head coach Mike McCarthy offered a positive progress report, Aaron Rodgers doubled down — making a bold public prediction about the Arizona State product's readiness, remarkable given Rodgers' reputation for holding rookies to exacting standards.

Iheanachor didn't shy away from the moment, making his own confident statement about a potential Week 3 start. Whether or not McCarthy pulls the trigger, the fact that Pittsburgh's coaching staff and franchise quarterback are openly vouching for him this early is a significant signal.

---

McClain and Lance Seize Opportunity

Two other Sun Devil rookies are forcing their way into the conversation at their respective stops.

In New York, wideout Malik McClain went from practice squad to opportunity after a Jets roster shake-up thinned the wide receiver depth chart. Head coach Aaron Glenn put him on notice — meaning the door is open, but the expectation is performance. McClain also drew attention on special teams, where the Jets are desperate for improvement entering Week 3.

Down in New Orleans, Bryce Lance made his NFL debut and immediately looked like a contributor, hauling in three catches in his first professional game. With first-round wideout Jordyn Tyson sidelined — the fellow Sun Devil who was drafted by the Saints — Lance is poised to slot into the WR3 role for the near term. That kind of early opportunity doesn't come around often for late-round or undrafted rookies.

---

Around the League

Rachaad White had a solid day in Washington's Week 2 loss to Dallas — 43 rushing yards and six catches for 40 receiving yards — but the bigger story in that building is the season-ending elbow injury to Jayden Daniels, which leaves the Commanders in yet another familiar, painful position. White's workload figures to grow in the short term.

For Arizona State, it's a week defined by adversity and response — and the Sun Devils, from Skattebo on down, appear to be answering the bell.

Cam Skattebo's Return Was Worth the Wait

The former Sun Devil didn't ease his way back. In his first NFL game since returning from injury, New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo scored a 3-yard touchdown on the opening drive against the Dallas Cowboys — then punctuated it with a backflip that sent the internet into a frenzy. The Giants went on to win 28-20 in Sunday Night Football, giving new head coach John Harbaugh a statement debut victory.

Skattebo finished with 81 rushing yards on the night, operating behind a blended run scheme that New York split evenly between zone and gap/man concepts — a tailored mix that Giants insiders say is already unlocking his breakout potential. Former Giants fullback Henry Hynoski specifically pointed to Patrick Ricard's blocking on the touchdown play as a sign that New York is reclaiming its smashmouth identity.

The night started memorably before kickoff too: Skattebo arrived at MetLife Stadium in a souped-up truck, only to reportedly get stuck at an entry gate, yelling "Let me in! I'm the RB!" — a moment that went nearly as viral as the backflip itself.

After the game, Skattebo was unapologetic about the celebration, saying he had planned the backflip well before he ever reached the end zone. He also teased that fans shouldn't get too attached to it — he's already planning to mix up future TD celebrations. As for the spotlight of prime-time football? The second-year back shrugged it off, saying it just means more people are watching.

With Week 2 and a Monday Night Football matchup on the horizon, Skattebo was already talking noise, putting the Rams' Aaron Donald on notice. The message from the former Arizona State star has been consistent: he plans to "continue to kick ass."

Around the League

The Skattebo show dominated the Arizona State alumni storylines this week, but a couple of other Sun Devils saw action worth noting.

Rachaad White (Commanders) got touches in Washington's narrow 22-24 loss to the Eagles, tallying 22 rushing yards and two receptions for 5 yards. It was a quiet debut in a close NFC East battle, but the former ASU back figures to grow into a larger role alongside a stacked Washington backfield.

Keith Abney II, the Lions' rookie cornerback, suited up in Detroit's 31-30 thriller over the Saints. The Lions secondary was tested all night, and per Sports Illustrated, questions are already swirling about whether Abney could be plugged into a larger role to shore things up.

Mitchell Fraboni, the Broncos long snapper and Arizona State product, was elevated from the practice squad and appeared in Denver's 10-31 loss to Kansas City on Monday Night Football — a tough opener, but a roster spot secured for the veteran.

Arizona State's NFL contingent is off to a lively start. But make no mistake: this week belonged to Cam Skattebo and his backflip.