Since taking over as the featured back in the Sun Devil backfield, Eno Benjamin accounted for 68.2% of the teams rushing yards in two years.
That’s a big hole to fill, but Arizona State now have two four-star backs that can help shoulder the load. Ohio running back DeaMonte Trayanum committed in July and his running mate will be Folsom running back Daniyel Ngata after he announced his commitment at the Under Armour All-America Game on Thursday.
Ngata was also considering Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. He also held offers from the likes of Clemson, Notre Dame and Oregon.
In three seasons with Folsom, he rushed for 2,434 yards and 33 touchdowns. He can slo be a factor in the receiving game, tallying 1,237 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air.
Together, Brandon Huffman believes Ngata and Trayanum can bring unique characteristics to the Sun Devil backfield.
“I think you have a little bit of a thunder and lightning type backfield,” Huffman said. “I think DeaMonte is going to be more of their traditional running back that they’ll use probably to get more carries. I think Daniyel’s that versatile back. He was more of a slot, all-purpose guy early on in his career, and then at the end of his career at Folsom, he was used to running the ball more.”
The Sun Devils are 2-for-2 on Under Armour commitments. Ngata joins his high school teammate Elijhah Badger as Sun Devil commits to announce at the bowl game on Thursday, giving the 15-man signing class (so far) 11 signees from California.
Jordan Hamm
