by Madison Rutherford | Photography by Kyle Gilbert | location Varsity Tavern
This summer, junior running back Kanye Udoh stepped into the NCAA transfer portal, trading pre-dawn barracks inspections and snow-laden cadence calls at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York, for sunlit strolls and the college-town cacophony of Arizona State University. After the Sun Devils’ impressive 2024 football season – which included a victory over the Arizona Wildcats to clinch the Big 12 Championship, a College Football Playoff appearance, and All-America running back Cam Skattebo’s remarkable final year – some might say Udoh has big cleats to fill. But the New Jersey native is determined to carve out his own legacy.
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound RB finished his last season with the Army Black Knights rushing for 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns on 179 carries – and is projected as one of ASU’s top prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft. As he laces up for his first season in maroon and gold, Udoh opens up about his military training, mental strategy and not looking back after his decision to leave West Point for the Southwest.
What was the transition from Army to ASU like?
I’d never been to the West Coast. I left from West Point at the end of December… it was freezing cold. Once I get out here, I hop off the plane and it’s warm, people are walking around with shorts on. I’m like, “I think my decision has been made.” It was definitely a culture shock.
What advantages does your Army training bring to the field?
I would just say unrelenting toughness. Just having the mentality of [being able] to move onto the next play. I think that’s a huge thing in football because it’s really a mental game more than people realize. Going to Army is the biggest humbling experience… The first day [of basic training], people are yelling at you, you’re running all around, you have to wear the uniform [and] you get your hair buzzed…You’re tired, you’re hungry, you’re sweaty, you’re bald… When I decided to go to Army, I was like, “OK, this place is going to make me a well-rounded human being.” It forces you to grow.
Tell us more about the mental aspects of football.
Coming out of high school, I just got the ball and ran. In college, everything’s happening so fast. You have to be able to know what you’re doing to the point where you just react… My freshman [season] I didn’t know what my linemen were doing, where my blocks were going… Now I’m intent, like, “OK, my lineman is doing this on this play… When the defense moves right here, I’m probably going to hit the hole right here.” When I get the ball, it’s an entirely different adrenaline rush… but you also have to be able to calm yourself down, see everything and breathe.
How are you feeling going into your first season with the Sun Devils?
I feel good. My goal is to be the best player that I can be. I’m not a huge guy on, “I’m going to rush for X amount of yards, [or] I’m going to get this many touchdowns.” I feel like if I can be the best player I can be, the numbers, the accolades, all that stuff, it’ll fall into place. When you do the right thing, the right thing is going to happen.
People often comment on your humility and calm demeanor. What’s your secret to staying so grounded?
At the end of the day, we’re all just playing a kids’ game. I love football, but Kanye Udoh is not defined as a football player. I love the game… I want to take [it] as far as I can take it, but I’m a person outside of football. A lot comes with football… you can obviously get a lot of money, a lot of Instagram followers, people know who you are, but at the end of the day, you’re just a guy.
