Kanye Udoh, the sophomore running back for the Army West Point Black Knights who expressed his intent to transfer immediately following the Army-Navy game, is reportedly set to join the Arizona State Sun Devils. CBS Sports and 247Sports were the first to share this news, referencing his agency, Vienna Talent.
Udoh’s decision was unexpected, especially as it came right after Army’s loss to Navy. However, academy regulations permit a student-athlete to transfer to another institution before their junior season without facing penalties.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 216 pounds, Udoh was the Black Knights’ second-leading rusher, accumulating 1,117 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. He averaged 85.9 rushing yards per game and received accolades such as a spot on the All-American Athletic Conference second team, as well as being named to the ECAC first team, alongside quarterback Bryson Daily and offensive linemen Connor Finucane and Brady Small.
Udoh will have two years of eligibility left and played a key role in helping the Black Knights achieve a historic season, winning 11 games for only the fourth time in the program’s history and the third time under head coach Jeff Monken.
Army has been ranked in the AP Top 25 every week since early October, marking the program’s longest streak since 1958. With one game left to play, the Black Knights have the opportunity to become the first team in school history to win 12 games in a season.
Additionally, Army finished the season ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25 for the first time and secured its inaugural conference championship after many years as an independent program.
Monken and Daily’s profiles have risen significantly this season. Monken received the AAC Coach of the Year award and the Buddy Teevens Award for coaching innovation, while also being a finalist for the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award and a semifinalist for the George Munger Coach of the Year award.
Daily had a remarkable senior season, finishing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting— the highest placement for any Army player since Mike Mayweather in 1990.
On the other hand, Arizona State made a notable turnaround this season, going from a three-win team in 2023 to Big 12 champions in their inaugural year in the conference. Head coach Kenny Dillingham led the Sun Devils to an 11-2 record and a victory in the Big 12 championship game against Iowa State, securing an automatic spot in the College Football Playoff.
The Sun Devils are set to compete in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day in the CFP quarterfinals, while Army is preparing for the Independence Bowl next week.
Leave a Reply