Tag: cam skattebo

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: RB Cam Skattebo, Arizona State

Skattebo gets his latest opportunity to show why he’s undervaled

After graduating from Rio Linda High School in California, Cam Skattebo committed to Sacramento State as the only Division 1 college offer he received. He played there for two seasons, turning in a big year as a sophomore when he was named to the Big Sky Conference first team and was named the Big Sky offensive player of the year.

That led to a transfer in 2023 to Arizona State, where he became the immediate starter and backfield workhorse, limited mostly by a Sun Devils team that went 3-9 on the season on an offense that used four quarterbacks.

In 2024, Arizona State bounced back to a 11-3 record, led firmly by Skattebo who rushed 293 times for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns which led the Big 12, along with his 338 plays and 2,316 total yards from scrimmage. His senior season saw him dominate the conference. He set the school record for total rushing yards in a season and finished only behind Ashton Jeanty in rushing yards for the FBS. He was fifth in the Heisman voting.

Height: 5-10
Weight: 219 pounds
40 time: 4.65 seconds (unofficial)

Skattebo skipped the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine from a nagging hamstring issue but later ran a 4.65 in a private workout. But he helped his case with a 39.5″ vertical and a 10’3″ broad jump that showed off his elite burst.

Cam Skattebo stats (2022-24)


(Stats from Sports Reference)

 Pros

  • Dual threat workhorse that never needs to leave the field
  • Goal line back that plays even bigger than his size
  • Elite power rusher that is hard to bring down
  • Balance and low center of gravity keeps him going forward
  • Excellent burst and vision that always takes the optimal path
  • Accomplished receiver who tacks on added yards each catch
  • Never shys away from contact

Cons

  • Lacks top-end speed to outrun NFL defenders
  •  Bruising style may lead to durability issues
  • Collisions in NFL may become a ball security issue
  • Still needs to refine pass protection

Fantasy Outlook

Skattebo always takes advantage of his opportunities. He went from a Sac State star in the Big Sky Conference to taking leading the Big 12 in all rushing metrics and ended up as a Heisman finalist. He’s an “angry” runner and averaged 26 touches per game last year while almost single-handedly leading the Sun Devils to an 11-3 record.

He’s been successful no matter which school or conference he played in and was the Big 12 Championship MVP because he always shows up in the biggest games. Add in soft hands and an unwillingness to be tackled after the catch and Skattebo checks pretty much all the boxes for a successful NFL workhorse back… except for one.

There’s no arguing his success, but his limiting concern is his speed. Had he ran at the NFL Combine, speculation was that he might have been the slowest back. But – he’s a beast on the field with power, speed, agility, and football intelligence. And proven production. Terrell Davis ran a 4.72 40-time and others have succeeded in the NFL at similar times. Skattebo may not impress wearing shorts on a track, but his football speed has always been more than adquate.

He’s expected to be drafted on Day 2. He’s been linked to the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, and Dallas Cowboys. He could go anywhere with a Round 2 or Round 3 grade. He’ll be sensitive to the situation he finds on his new NFL team, but Skattebo looks like a lock to be nearly everyone’s favorite sleeper rookie. There is not a role for a running back that Skattebo cannot fill.

2025 NFL Draft could be a goldmine for running back-needy Steelers

The Steelers may need to reload at running back in 2025, and this draft class could offer the perfect solution to bolster their ground game.

A Najee Harris-less Steelers rushing attack is what 2025 may have in store, and while RB Jaylen Warren has been dynamic in both the receiving and running game, he has yet to prove he can withstand the full workload of the rushing attack. However, this issue may be easily solved in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Enter the 2025 NFL Draft’s running backs to alleviate these concerns: Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Kansas’ Devin Neal, and Ohio State’s duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins—any of these prospects may be drafted within the first two rounds.

Jeanty is without a doubt the strongest of these running backs, projected to go within the first 16 picks of the draft, but strong talent may exist beyond, such as Skattebo and Judkins in the second or third round.

This class is arguably the strongest running back class in recent memory, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have positioned themselves perfectly to take advantage of the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Cam Skattebo is not an easy 2025 NFL draft evaluation

Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo had a monster day vs. Texas, yet he’s not an easy 2025 NFL draft evaluation

Cam Skattebo became a household name on New Year’s Day with his tour de force performance in Arizona State’s Peach Bowl matchup against Texas. The Sun Devils running back almost singlehandedly brought his team back from what looked like a blowout loss to a wildly entertaining overtime thriller.

Skattebo ran for 143 yards on 30 carries, scoring two touchdowns and a two-point conversion. He also threw a touchdown pass and caught eight passes for 99 yards in Arizona State’s loss.

The senior transfer from Sacramento State was electrifying. His power, his effort, his emotional style are all very appealing traits. He’s one of the most fun college football players of the year. But that doesn’t necessarily make Skattebo a coveted NFL draft prospect.

Entering the CFP, most projections had Skattebo as a Day 3 prospect, somewhere between 100 and 200 overall. That’s been going up from his preseason draft stock as a relative unknown, of course. After the amazing Peach Bowl–capping a very impressive season–there’s a lot of momentum wanting to push Skattebo into the conversation for the top running back in the 2025 NFL Draft class.

That’s writing checks that Skattebo’s 5-foot-11, 205-pound body isn’t ready to cash. Skattebo is a good prospect with excellent positional versatility. He’s the first running back to top 1,500 yards on the ground and 500 receiving yards in the same season since one Christian McCaffrey at Stanford back in 2016. He’s very close to the same size as McCaffrey too, though his agility and acceleration aren’t in the same class as the 49ers All-Pro.

The national showcase now has many NFL fans buzzing that Skattebo can be the next McCaffrey. As far as running style, Skattebo is more akin to Carolina’s Chuba Hubbard, relying on vision, zero wasted motion and excellent balance through contact than blazing speed, quick acceleration or brute power. But the Hubbard comparison isn’t great because Skattebo offers a lot more in the passing game, both as a receiver and a blocker–though the latter is inconsistent. That harkens more to Detroit’s Craig Reynolds, though Skattebo is more slippery and creative with the ball in his hands than Reynolds. I’ve seen comparisons to guys like Zach Charbonnet, Royce Freeman and D’Andre Swift (one that I don’t personally see).

And that’s part of what makes Skattebo a difficult evaluation, especially prior to athletic testing. He’s a unique player with a lot of different “reminds me of…” comparisons. His relative lack of speed and heavy workload (over 820 touches in college) lower his NFL ceiling, but his consistency of performance with his versatility is quite impressive.

As of today (January 2nd), I have Skattebo in the cluster of prospects between 100-125 overall. He’s currently RB5. That’s far from finalized, just as the NFL teams aren’t close to having a board done yet. Still, I don’t see any NFL team valuing Skattebo higher than the early third round based on his profile and the draft class as a whole.

2025 NFL draft: Meet the running back that Jim Harbaugh will love

The Arizona State running back is perfect for Jim Harbaugh.

The Chargers will likely address the running back position this offseason. J.K. Dobbins is set to hit the free agency market and Gus Edwards has dealt with injuries this season.

Should they look to the draft to add one, Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo will appeal to head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Skattebo is a back with great size at 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds who wins on the ground with power, physicality, and contact balance while supplying value in the passing game with the ability to catch passes and block.

Skattebo is coming off an outstanding performance in the Peach Bowl against Texas on Wednesday, showing NFL teams, including the Bolts, that he is worth being added to a running back room in April.

Skattebo finished with 30 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns, a team-high eight catches for 88 yards and one pass completion for a 42-yard touchdown.

Skattebo’s time with the Sun Devils ended with new single-season program records for yards rushing (1,711) and touchdowns rushing (21).

Skattebo’s 40-yard dash time at the Combine will not raise eyebrows, but his gritty mindset and ability to wear defenses down will win Harbaugh over.

The Chargers should be able to consider drafting Skattebo in the third or fourth round.

Steelers fans fall in love with ASU RB Cam Skattebo

Steelers fans react to ASU running back Cam Skattebo on X.

Make no mistake, Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo is an impressive football player. He has been the heart and soul of the ASU offense all season and carried them into the College Football Playoff.

On Wednesday, many fans got to see Skattebo play for the first time and he’s put on a show. This placed him squarely on the radar of Pittsburgh Steelers fans and they loved what they saw.

Here’s just a sampling of the love Skattebo is getting on X as a future Steeler.

 

 

 

 

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Cam Skattebo hit the Heisman pose after a dominant first half in the Big 12 championship game

We can’t un-hear Jesse Palmer saying ‘Skattebo’ like Adam Sandler.

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo had a monster first half against Iowa State during Saturday’s Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium.

Skattebo rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries while also hauling in a pass for five yards. He was the driving force for Arizona State to be up 24-10 at halftime over Iowa State.

After one of his touchdowns, Skattebo reminded the nation that he should be a Heisman Trophy finalist after such a dominant season by hitting the Heisman pose for the broadcast.

As he did that, ESPN broadcaster Jesse Palmer channeled his inner Billy Madison by saying Skattebo’s last name like Adam Sandler. We’re not kidding.

This is a textbook example of chaotic good in college football. Get Skattebo to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, and let Palmer announce his name just like the Sandman as he walks out.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN. 

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Kenny Dillingham’s shocked face after an Arizona State near-disaster became an instant meme

Kenny Dillingham looked like his whole life flashed before his eyes.

Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham saw his life flash before his eyes as his team nearly entered disaster territory against Iowa State on Saturday.

As the two teams faced off in the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium, Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo took a direct snap in the first half and scrambled the wrong direction with Iowa State defenders in pursuit.

In a last-second decision to prevent a massive loss, Skattebo threw the ball into no man’s land and nearly saw it picked off by an Iowa State defender.

Dillingham’s face recapped the close call as well as anyone’s could, and it turned into a delightful meme for your enjoyment.

Feature photo courtesy of ESPN. 

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Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo scores touchdown against BYU, signs autograph

Arizona State and Cam Skattebo had a big first half against BYU

Arizona State scored three quick touchdowns against BYU on Saturday.

Cam Skattebo had all the scores in the first half and had time after his third TD to sign an autograph in the end zone.

It was either that or he was signing a contract for another NIL deal.

Five Sun Devils the Ducks have to pay close attention to on Saturday

Arizona State may be offensively deficient, but that doesn’t mean the Ducks can just overlook some good pieces to that puzzle.

If all of the Pac-12 schools were asked if they wanted Cam Skattebo on their roster, all 12 would most likely answer with a question of their own.

Who?

Now if they were asked that same question, all 12 would be jumping up and down with both hands in the air.

The tailback transfer out of Sacramento State chose Arizona State for his next destination and as it turns out, the Sun Devils were the lucky ones to get his services. Not even his old coach at Sac State, Stanford’s Troy Taylor, were so lucky.

Skattebo made the right choice and it’s been Arizona State’s saving grace on offense as he is their most legitimate threat. ASU has been through three quarterbacks, none of which has separated themselves from the other through injuries and poor play.

Arizona State does play hard for the entire 60 minutes and could have two or three more wins if the ball bounced a different way. If Oregon wants to get out of Tempe with an expected victory, the Ducks will have to pay close attention to these five players.