Transfer running back upgrades from FCS to Arizona State

In six of the last seven full seasons for the Sun Devils, running backs coach Shaun Aguano has produced a 1,000-yard rusher. He may have just found the next, as FCS Villanova star David Avit has committed to Arizona State.

Originally growing up in Maryland, Avit was a 0-star recruit, with only three FBS programs offering him scholarships: USF, Akron, and the Naval Academy. Avit opted to stay close to home and chose Villanova. That move has proven to be a good one.

Avit found the field right away, starting as a true freshman. He finished with 923 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 173 carries, averaging a strong 5.3 yards per carry. Avit was so good that he was named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year and was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, given annually to the top player in the FCS.

The next year, Avit saw a minor decline in carries with 125, but he still finished withy 687 yards and eight touchdowns. His yards per carry actually increased to 5.5, reflecting the growth he made as a runner despite a slightly lighter workload.

Listed at 6'0" and 225 pounds, Avit is the definition of a power back. His physicality was instantly noticeable at Villanova, where he set the school record for single season rushing yards as a freshman. Avit also broke his high school's record for career rushing yards with 3,841.

Avit enters a crowded running back room, though. Raleek Brown is gone, but Kyson Brown returns after initially claiming the starting role this season. Kanye Udoh transferred in from Army last year and is expected to return at this point. Youngsters Jason Brown and Demarius Robinson both flashed potential in the Sun Bowl, too, creating questions for how this rotation will be sorted out in 2026.

For Avit, who has only known success despite having plenty of doubters, that shouldn't be too daunting. He'll provide a valuable downhill presence to a room that often lacked that this past season.