ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

Preseason watch lists: ASU’s Jalin Conyers, Cam Skattebo featured

Aug 19, 2023, 1:12 PM

Jalin Conyers...

Tight end Jalin Conyers #12 of the Arizona State Sun Devils runs with the football during the first half of the NCAAF game at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

A trio of Arizona State football playmakers and pair of special teamers showed up on preseason awards watch lists ahead of Week 1.

ASU’s first season under head coach Kenny Dillingham and his staff kicks off Aug. 31 at home against Southern Utah.

Sun Devils on college football preseason award watch lists

Doak Walker Award (running backs)

– Cam Skattebo

Arizona State added Skattebo in the transfer portal from Sacramento State, where he gained 1,382 rushing yards and earned Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

ASU has had success with recent running back transfers such as Xazavian Valladay and Rachaad White.

John Mackey Award (tight end)

– Jalin Conyers

Conyers is back after finishing third on ASU in receptions with 38 and second in touchdown grabs with five in 2022. He is in Year 3 with the program after transferring from Oklahoma.

“I think the biggest thing was after transferring from OU, I finally got my opportunity here to kind of show what I had,” Conyers said at Pac-12 Media Day.

Biletnikoff Award (wide receivers)

– Elijhah Badger

ASU’s top target last season was Badger, who picked up 864 receiving yards as a sophomore. He was an All-Pac-12 honorable mention one season after making only seven receptions.

Paul Hornung Award (versatile player)

– Cam Skattebo

Ray Guy Award (punter)

– Josh Carlson

The Valley native and Gilbert High School alum transferred to ASU from New Mexico State.

Patrick Mannelly Award (long snapper)

– Slater Zellers

Zellers also returned home top play for his local team after playing high school ball at Notre Dame Prep. He spent 2018-22 at Cal and played all 12 games last season.

Arizona State Football

Arizona State starting QB Jaden Rashada...

Kevin Zimmerman

‘He earned it’: Jaden Rashada won Arizona State’s starting QB job with comfort in himself

Comfort in focusing on self improvement paid off for Jaden Rashada, who will start for the Arizona State Sun Devil to begin 2023.

18 hours ago

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State head coach at Pac-12 media day...

Arizona Sports

Some experts predict Arizona, and even Arizona State, to make bowl games

The Pac-12 projects to be a competitive conference. What about the bottom half, where Arizona and Arizona State are predicted to finish?

18 hours ago

Jaden Rashada, Arizona State starting QB...

Arizona Sports

Jaden Rashada to start ASU football opener vs. Southern Utah

Freshman quarterback Jaden Rashada will start on Aug. 31 against Southern Utah, reports Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro.

2 days ago

West Virginia fan Terry Keenan...

Kevin Zimmerman

Big 12 and Pac-12 realignment leads to longer travel but new visits for fans

Fans of Big 12, and those of Pac-12 teams joining it after this season, see travel challenges but are excited to visit new venues and cities.

2 days ago

Jaelen Strong catches a Hail Mary, known as the Jael Mary, as time expires to help ASU beat USC...

Kevin Zimmerman

Pac-12 After Dark reminiscing: The Jael Mary and other best Arizona school moments

Before the Pac-12 folds, let's remember how the Jael Mary and other key Arizona State and Arizona moments played a part in #Pac12AfterDark.

3 days ago

Jacob Cowing, Arizona Wildcats receiver...

Associated Press

2023 preseason AP All-American squads include 2 potential Cardinals picks, Wildcats’ Cowing

Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr., likely top-five 2024 NFL Draft picks, are among the preseason football AP All-Americans.

3 days ago

Preseason watch lists: ASU’s Jalin Conyers, Cam Skattebo featured