Arizona State Sun Devil’s running back Cam Skattebo was one of college football’s most exciting and dynamic players in 2024. Now heading to the NFL, where does the California native best project at the next level?
Our Cam Skattebo scouting report explores everything you need to know about the ASU rusher and how his strengths will translate to the NFL.
Cam Skattebo Scouting Report
Size: 5’11”, 215 pounds
Key Stat: In 2024, Skattebo was the only player in the country to have 1000+ rushing yards and 400+ receiving yards.
Projected Role: Starting NFL RB
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Strengths
- A bulldozing, physical, and tough runner. He possesses a low center of gravity and active footwork, allowing him to power through running lanes.
- A+ trait is his exceptional contact balance. Skattebo bounces off defenders and powers through tackles.
- Exhibits excellent lower-body weight distribution, giving him one of the strongest contact balances in the class.
- Has an ideal, dense frame that allows him to generate significant leg power, which allows him to run through defenders like a bowling ball.
- Plays with violent strength and thunderous power to gain yardage when rushing downhill.
- Maintains good vision to make plays between the tackles. Solid instincts as a rusher to know where space is, and he has the awareness of yardage situations to move the chains consistently.
- Demonstrates a non-stop motor and a relentless attitude.
- Highly energized running back with enough twitchy athleticism to pair with his wide base and robust profile.
- While not the most explosive, he can shift through gears to maintain speed and momentum throughout the rush.
- His strength profile will allow him to stay on the field as a pass protector at the next level.
- Adequate experience as a receiver, positioning him as a potential feature back.
Areas to Improve
- Lack of top-tier athletic traits prevents him from competing with the elite running backs in the class.
- While he attacks running lanes with force, his lack of explosive acceleration forces him to rely heavily on physical dominance.
- This lack of explosiveness prevents him from maintaining separation from defenders.
- Will struggle in footraces at the NFL level due to limited top-end speed.
- Lacks short-area acceleration, allowing linebackers to close in on him more quickly at the next level.
- Does not possess the twitchy flexibility or bend needed to avoid tacklers.
- His tight frame restricts fluid lateral mobility.
- Has build-up speed rather than instant burst, with adequate short bursts but below-average medium to long-range speed.
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Ceiling: Pro-Bowl RB
Floor: Short-yardage specialist
Cam Skattebo’s NFL Draft Outlook
After spending two seasons at Sacramento State, Skattebo transferred to ASU and had a breakout season in 2024. With 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns rushing, the Sun Devils’ running back capitalized in his senior season.
With a bruising, aggressive running style, Skattebo will be labeled a throwback and traditional rusher who is a workhorse with a never-say-die attitude. His mauling mentality, untamed leg drive, and violent impact strength allow him to have elite contact balance where he can smash into collisions and stay upright.
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Skattebo has the mental makeup to do the dirty work and get the hard yards, but he also has drive-extending abilities. The Arizona State running back’s vision is in the upper echelon of this draft class, where his instincts and intelligence allow him to be patient before hitting open lanes and exploiting space.
However, a lack of explosive movement and athleticism keeps Skattebo from being in the top tier of running backs. The ASU rusher regularly loses footraces to shiftier, twitchier defenders, and his tight frame impedes his ability to make defenders miss in the box.
Bottom Line: Skattebo projects a lead rushing in a run-heavy scheme where his grinding demeanor can pound the ground game. He will be a chain-mover at the next level, and coaches will fall in love with the 2024 Big 12 Championship Game MVP, who is a pure football player who loves the game and wants to continue to learn and grow.
With the ability to stay on the field on passing downs, the Sun Devil’s rusher can be a three-down back in the NFL. However, if slotted into a room with a more athletic, elusive runner, he could form a dynamic one-two punch for an NFL team.
Draft Projection: Round 3
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