Kenny Dillingham’s Recruiting Hot Streak Rolls On as Cam Skattebo’s Answer Looms After Double Jackpot

If you thought Arizona State was just out here playing catch-up after that Peach Bowl heartbreak, guess again. The Sun Devils HC Kenny Dillingham didn’t waste any time crying over spilled Gatorade. Man’s been out here cooking like a mad scientist, stacking talent. And just when the streets started whispering about how they’d replace a certified dawg like Cam Skattebo? Boom. Double jackpot move. Portal plays. Recruit wins. Oh yeah, Dillingham got tricks up his sleeve. But what’s wild is, we haven’t even seen the biggest flex yet.

Let’s give props to ASU’s 2024 campaign. 11-3 record, smacking teams left and right, and that double-OT thriller against Texas? Straight cinema. Sam Leavitt vs. Quinn Ewers? That was a Marvel movie minus the capes. But ASU was this close to busting into the semis. Skattebo? Man’s stat line had the whole nation googling who the hell he was. 1,711 yards and 21 TDs? Yeah, he turned defenses into Swiss cheese weekly.

But good things don’t last forever. Skattebo bounced to the NFL, and the Giants scooped him up real quick. “Man, so proud of this guy, words can’t describe it!” Dillingham tweeted, probably wiping tears with his Sun Devils hoodie. Losing Skattebo was like losing your best spades partner right before the tournament. So, naturally, everybody’s wondering: Who’s next up? Kenny Dillingham has already been ten steps ahead. He snatched up former Army RB Kanye Udoh out of the portal in January—straight muscle, straight hunger. Is he the next Skattebo? TBD. But he got that “run-you-over-and-dare-you-to-get-up” energy that’s ASU’s whole vibe now.

On April 28th, On3 dropped the bomb that four-star WR Nalin Scott out of McEachern High in Georgia said: “I’m home, forks up.” Scott’s 6-foot-3 with hands like oven mittens, snatching everything thrown his way. He isn’t no ‘Plan B’ either—the kid had Florida, Missouri, and Nebraska all knocking, and still picked Tempe. “Coach Ward has been in my shoes, so he knows what it takes to be successful,” Scott said. He’s been feeling the love from Dillingham and WR coach Hines Ward heavily since last season’s UCF game. Scott’s low-key sitting at No. 383 overall and No. 60 among wideouts in the 2026 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking—a mashup of all the big recruiting sites. He’s also repping as the No. 42 player coming out of the Peach State.

With Scott locked in, ASU’s 2026 recruiting class has jumped from No. 16 to No. 14 nationally, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. They now also hold the No. 1 spot in the Big 12. Rivals, who initially ranked them 19th nationally earlier this month, have also moved ASU’s 2026 class up to 14th. Well, it’s clear: Dilly’s working magic that’s making some sense on paper. Scott’s now ASU’s second-highest-rated commit after QB Jake Fette (No. 115 nationally), and he’s got Cooper Reid riding shotgun too.

Kenny Dillingham pulls off ‘one stone, two birds’ transfer portal move after Cam Skattebo’s Big Apple move

You’d think after losing Skattebo to the Giants, Kenny Dillingham would be pacing around the facility like, what now? Instead, the man went into heist mode. First came Kanye Udoh, a wrecking ball out of Army who isn’t scared to get grimy between the tackles. He might not be a Skattebo clone, but he’s got “problem” written all over his tape. Dillingham pulled a slick double move: twin O-line beasts Wade Helton and Brent Helton dipped from Iowa State to Tempe. Wade’s sitting at 300 lbs, Brent at 320—literally a “move the whole damn house” package. Originally, Dilly just wanted Wade, but the brothers said, ‘Nah, it’s both or none.’ Can’t be mad at it—you get two bulldozers for the price of one. Dillingham lucked into a package deal that might’ve just quietly saved ASU’s run game for 2025.

Look, Dillingham didn’t even want Brent initially. But when the brothers told him it was both or bust, Dilly didn’t blink. Good call, coach. California’s been low-key loaded with talent lately, and these twins made Top 100 lists coming out of high school. That’s two built-in maulers protecting whoever’s under center.

What’s crazy is, while folks are still dwelling on Skattebo leaving, ASU’s blueprint has already flipped. Kanye Udoh’s a hammer, but those Helton boys are the house the hammer’s going to build. Dillingham’s offense got bigger, meaner, and way more unpredictable. You’re not just replacing Skattebo with one guy—you’re making a whole new machine. Let’s not forget the wideout core either. Nalin Scott, Cooper Reid, and the possibility of snatching up Kaydon Finley? ASU’s air game is about to look like FedEx during the Christmas season—deliveries nonstop. If Finley jumps on board? Oh, that’s three WRs who can all run it up like the rent.

Look, losing a guy like Skattebo would cripple a lot of program. But in Tempe? All it did was light a bonfire. Dillingham said it loud without even saying much: next man up…and then some. And judging by how he’s stacking these W’s, Kenny Dillingham is finna run it back with a Big 12 championship.