Valladay heading to Arizona State

LARAMIE -- Wyoming's second all-time leading rusher has a new address.

Xazavian Valladay announced Tuesday on Twitter he will spend his final collegiate season at Arizona State University where he will play for Herm Edwards and the Sun Devils.

The Illinois product graduated from UW in the fall and has one season of eligibility remaining.

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Valladay, a 6-foot, 198-pound running back, amassed 3,274 rushing yards during his four-year career in Laramie. In 2021, he surpassed former backs like Wynel Seldon, Ryan Christopherson, Devin Moore and others, in the history books. Valladay wraps up his UW career just 1,013 yards behind fellow Illinois native, Brian Hill, who rushed for 4,287 yards in just three seasons between 2014-16.

Valladay, who led the Mountain West in rushing in 2019 and '20, averaged 5.1 yards per carry last fall, rushing for 1,070 yards on just 209 carries. He added six touchdowns for the Cowboys, who finished the season 7-6 overall, including a 52-38 victory over Kent State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

Arizona State's leading rusher, Rachaad White, is entering the NFL Draft after rolling up 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2021. DeaMonte Trayanum, who rushed for 402 yards and added six touchdowns, was set to become the featured back next fall. He entered the NCAA Transfer Portal in December and is now at Ohio State.

Valladay's best day as a Cowboy came in the 2019 Arizona Bowl when he was named the game's offensive MVP. In that 38-17 victory over Georgia State in Tucson, Valladay rushed for 204 yards and a score on 26 carries. He added three receptions for 91 yards and another touchdown.

Valladay is one of 10 Wyoming players to enter the portal after the Cowboys' bowl victory, joining Keyon Blankenbaker, Cam Murray, Sean Chambers, Levi Williams, Azizi Hearn, CJ Coldon, Victor Jones, Isaiah Neyor and Rome Weber.

-PRESS PASS: Roaming The War