Every so often, videos resurface on social media of former ASU and current New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo in high school. Clips of him shrugging off defenders like it's nothing and racking up video-game level stats.
Years later, his journey and performance in Tempe are still inspiring people in the ASU locker room.
Junior running back David Avit, like Skattebo, transferred in from an FCS school. As he starts his journey in Tempe, he doesn't rule out the possibility of a similar experience with his high school footage.
"Most of my film on my high school tape is just touchdowns, it's really just touchdowns," Avit said. "Coming out of high school, people told me I might have been too slow, but I went to Villanova, and I was running 70-yard touchdowns. It's nothing new being doubted. Honestly, I like that, because it gives me a chance to prove myself, and it gives me a chance to prove people wrong."
While their two schools, Villanova and Sacramento State, are separated by over 2,700 miles, Avit still sees Skattebo and his work under running backs coach Shaun Aguano as inspiration.
"Aguano has never had less than a 1000-yard rusher," Avit said. "So why not me? Why not me here? Cam Skattebo came from FCS, too. I feel like I've been doubted a lot, and I feel like this is really my year to show the whole nation that I've been this player since high school."
After racking up 2,487 yards and 30 touchdowns in his senior year in high school, Avit played two seasons at Villanova, making the FCS Playoffs in his second season. Putting up 1,610 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Wildcats in his two seasons, he was one of two running backs to transfer into ASU, part of a transfer class that ranked 15th nationally on 247Sports.
Read more: Live updates: ASU football transfer portal tracker
Despite finding success in Pennsylvania, Tempe has been a breath of fresh air and a new experience for Avit. Since arriving, he's already seen some major differences in the resources ASU offers compared to what he's used to.
The day-to-day activities aren't the only things that are different at ASU. Avit pointed to the coaching staff's philosophy as a major difference in helping him develop.
"They really push the details," Avit said. "I'm learning way more about football, learning what the defense is trying to do, why coordinators are calling these plays, understanding what the whole o-line is doing. It makes me a better football player, increasing my football IQ every day."
Avit, now stepping into a stacked running back room, makes him a player to watch in 2026. From returning talent like redshirt junior Kyson Brown and redshirt sophomore Jason Brown Jr. to another transfer in redshirt fifth-year Marquis Gillis, head coach Kenny Dillingham has been waiting to see the group compete since the beginning of spring football.
"That room's probably one of the most up in the air rooms we have in terms of competition," Dillingham said, per Sun Devil Athletics. "That room is going to be on. We're going to be a little more 20, 21 personnel this year. That room's got to have a more versatile role."
Dillingham isn't the only person in the locker room who shares that mindset. Brown Jr. had a similar sentiment when looking at the depth in the backfield.
"Competition, competition, competition," Brown Jr. said. "That's all we can do, really. Right now, we're not really playing football, but in the weight room, we're competing all the time. There's a little bit of trash talk here and there, but it's all love.”
The mindset of the players and coaches has certainly had an impact on Avit. He has no issue with how the competition is improving all of the running backs. This mindset brings the room closer together as the spring rolls on.
After the success he showed at Villanova in the FCS, there is strong promise for what the junior can do. With his first FBS season ahead of him, Avit's mindset is clear.
"Dominate," Avit said. "We should dominate everybody on the schedule. The Big 12 could be ours. I don't like losing games, especially the home games. In my college career, I've only lost one home game, and I don't want to lose anymore."
Edited by Niall Rosenberg, Jack McCarthy and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at aswift10@asu.edu and follow @alexswiftsports on X.
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