Scouting Reports RB Cam Skattebo and videos

[MightyGiants]

McGinn

9. CAM SKATTEBO, Arizona State (5-9 ½, 219, no 40, 3-4): Carried the downtrodden Sun Devils on his back and into the CFP playoffs. "I've never seen anything like this guy," one scout said. "It's a train wreck every run. I don't know how long he's gonna last. He can play, though. He's got great vision and balance. He can find little creases in there. He's got some niftiness. But after that, when it's contact time, every run is bang-bang-bang! He's fighting and somebody else hits him in the back, and then he lines up again. It's incredible. Never seen a back like this. One guy compared him to Mike Alstott, but he was 250 pounds. If you can get him through a couple years without him getting hurt, you'd love to have that kid's energy on the team." Coming out of Rio Linda, Calif., he spent three years at FCS Sacramento State. The 2020 campaign was canceled by Covid. For the Hornets in 2021-'22, he carried 253 times for 1,893 (7.5) and 13 TDs to go with 43 receptions for 497 and four scores. "God, he's fun to watch," a second scout said. "Looks like a garbage man. Short, squatty, bad body. Crazy thing is, his makeup's not very good. They don't really like the guy at the school other than the fact what he does on Saturday. Hats off to the guy as a football player. He'll probably make it for like a year, maybe two. Be a third or fourth guy. Then, when he realizes has to play special teams and how much goes into it ... but he is fun to watch." After an OK season for a 3-9 ASU club in 2023, he emerged to finish fifth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy with a 1,711-yard, 21-touchdown rushing season. Became the first FBS player since Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to rush for 1,500 and have 500 receiving in a season. "He's the most competitive guy on the field," said one scout. "He's always been the best player in every game he plays in. He runs his ass off. He runs through people. He's tough and physical. The speed will be pretty mediocre. That's where he'll get knocked. If you get into early of the third round and you're looking for a competitor and a guy that checks all the boxes I could see him going up there." His two-year statistics for ASU were 457 carries for 2,494 (5.5) and 30 TDs to go with 69 receptions for 891 (12.9) and four scores. In 2023, he took 50 snaps at quarterback (seven for 17 passing for 172 and two TDs in his career). Also punted eight times for a 42.3 average. "He became sort of a media sensation when they made that run," said a fourth scout. "He is a fun player. He's an oddball. Last year, they did all these crazy formations and snap it to him and he could throw it or kick it or run it. He's just another third-day guy who will have a short career because he's a little beaten-up, to an extent."


Cossell

COLLEGIATE PROSPECT EVALUATION SHEET
NAME/YEAR: CAM SKATTEBO POSITION: RB COLLEGE: ARIZONA STATE
HEIGHT: 5'9 ½" WEIGHT: 219 NOTES: Ver�cal jump: 39.5"; Broad jump: 10'3"
2024: MISSISSIPPI STATE, KANSAS, UTAH, OKLAHOMA STATE, BYU, IOWA STATE, TEXAS
STRENGTHS:
• Compactly built running back with a physical compe��ve running style that seeks out and ini�ates contact
• Urgent downhill back with physical toughness and natural power, Runs with forward lean atacking defenders
• Dropped pads lowering shoulders to take on contact and drive through tacklers with force, Punishing mindset
• Outstanding natural balance with his build low to the ground, Low center of gravity allows him to stay balanced
• Showed desirable combina�on of pa�ence and vision reading his blocks and gap fluidity and defensive flow
• Showed balance and body control to work efficiently through small creases at POA, Knack for ge�ng skinny
• Situa�onal lateral quickness re: excellent vision and natural feel for changing gaps and defenders aiming points
• Excellent contact balance through first and second levels of defense, Strong lower half to drive through contact
• A true sustaining runner, Works effec�vely in confined space and consistently got hard yards, A strong finisher
• Showed versus Texas he could be a factor as a receiver detached from the forma�on running ver�cal routes
• Outstanding on swing routes out of the backfield where he had needed space to generate speed and velocity
WEAKNESSES:
• Measured and methodical as runner, Does not possess suddenness or explosiveness or twitch to his movement
• Does not possess explosive short area burst or accelera�ng long speed, Will not run away from NFL defenses
• Tight hipped with core s�ffness, Not shi�y or elusive to make sharp cuts that will make defenders miss in space
• Litle s�cky and segmented at �mes making sharp decisive cuts, Not loose hipped with easy lateral transi�ons
• Too o�en needed his off arm to help him stay balanced when making quick cuts in space, Not naturally fluid
TRANSITION:
There is not much mystery to Skatebo as you project and transi�on him to the NFL, He is a tough grity determined
compe��ve downhill runner with outstanding balance and natural power who o�en looks to ini�ate contact and thrives
on the physicality of atacking and challenging defenders, Skattebo is somewhat tight hipped with some core stiffness and
does not possess higher level athletic traits which shows up in his lack of explosive short area burst and accelerating long
speed but there is no question he is a tempo setter as a runner with his sustaining traits and consistent ability to get hard
yards with his physical profile, Skatebo is one of those backs that the more you watch his tape the more you like him
because of his compe��ve toughness and physicality and seemingly enjoyable embrace of the contact nature of the game
and his finishing mentality that does not decrease as the game progresses, It is easy to dismiss him as a poten�al feature
back at the next level because he does not possess the athle�cism and burst and accelera�ng speed you would ideally
want to have in that role but feature backs in the NFL are o�en team and scheme specific (think Kyren Williams with the
Rams and Skatebo is a bigger more physical runner than Williams); There is no question that Skattebo has the compact
frame and physical and mental toughness and elite contact balance and finishing traits to develop into a feature back in
the right system with the right QB and OL and receivers but he will more than likely as a complementary back as he begins
his NFL career
OTHER:
58
• Skatebo played 2 years at Arizona State a�er beginning his college career at Sacramento State and being named
the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, In 2024 at Arizona State Skatebo led the Big 12 in carries (293)
and yards (1711) scoring 21 rushing TD in addi�on to catching 45 passes for 605 yards and 3 TD
In 2024 Skatebo was featured in mul�ple run game concepts including zone and gap scheme, He ran out of both the
shotgun and pistol forma�ons – 50 yard TD versus Kansas good snapshot of Skatebo with contact balance the defining
feature; 47 yards and 53 yards versus Iowa State in Big 12 Championship strong representa�on of Skatebo traits: Power
out of the shotgun with short area burst and natural power and outstanding contact balance and strength; 33 yards
versus Texas in NCAA Playoffs another strong snapshot of Skatebo traits


NFL.com


By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
Draft Projection
Round 4
NFL Comparison
Jaylen Warren
Overview
Carnage creator with a compact frame and elite contact balance. Skattebo can break through second-level tacklers and careen off of bodies for extended yards after contact. He reads his blocks quickly and is more elusive in the early stages of the run than he's probably given credit for. He lacks top-end speed and will have to contend with bigger, better tacklers on the next level. Skattebo's effectiveness as a receiver out of the backfield should add to his draft value. His physicality and edge should bode well for him as a complementary back with three-down value who is capable of helping an offense wear down the defense.

Strengths
Built low to the ground with a compact, muscular frame.
Runs with excellent footwork in tight quarters.
Makes sudden, sharp alterations to the run lane when needed due to penetration.
Bursts into his top speed fairly quickly.
Either breaks defender's tackle or makes them feel his force.
Elite run extender, relying on outstanding leg drive and contact balance.
Quick vertical transition from catch to run underneath.
Adds yards after contact on swing passes and throws to the flat.
Weaknesses
Heavy involvement in punishing collisions could impact durability.
Lacks desired acceleration out of his cuts.
Must improve his ball security on the next level.
Missing straight-line speed to outrun NFL pursuit.
Limited catch radius requires an accurate passer.
Needs to square rusher instead of seeking shoulder shots.
Sources Tell Us

"You hear guys say 'I'm built different' but usually it's all talk. This guy really is built differently. ... He sees and plays the game like a linebacker." – AFC executive


SIS


Overall
Cam Skattebo is the starting running back in Arizona State's RPO-spread, zone-heavy offense. After spending the first 3 seasons of his collegiate career at Sacramento State, Skattebo transferred to ASU and only missed 1 game in 2 seasons due to a concussion. Skattebo is a good athlete with a compact, muscular frame, and a powerful lower body that allows him to play with a low center of gravity. He has explosiveness in his base, and he is light on his feet, but he lacks breakaway speed. His competitiveness is unquestioned as he is a tough runner who provides excellent physicality when meeting resistance. In addition to being the primary runner, he was also a big piece of the passing game, even throwing passes, as well as a punter when his team needed it.

Pass Game
Skattebo can be an impact receiver in the correct role. He has reliable hands when the ball is thrown his way, but he struggles to make catches that require significant adjustment and has a smaller catch radius. Much of his receiving production came on passes at or behind the LOS, which he turned into chunk plays as he can run through and deliver blows to defenders with his toughness and strength. His hands and running ability make him a weapon in the screen and checkdown game. His route running and play speed to execute routes are below average and needs more urgency to execute at a high level.

Skattebo flashes the ability to play more down the field, but will need more consistency on deep routes. In pass protection, he has the toughness to stick his face into the oncoming blitzers. He packs a punch with his compact frame, but he tends to put his head down at the point of contact leading to less-impactful blocks. Skattebo needs to square up more consistently, as he does not make the best ability of his stout frame. His blitz recognition is still developing, but he usually makes the correct read.

Run Game
Skattebo is a patient runner with good vision to let gap-scheme concepts develop. He plays downhill, and he is reliable in short-yardage situations, always making sure he attacks with good situational awareness and the ability to get behind his pads for the first down. He has good instincts and looks to find cutback and bounce opportunities when the inside run is clogged up. He has the ability to improvise and maneuver around penetrating or blitzing defenders, utilizing his short-area quickness to plant and take off.

Skattebo displays great contact balance against first, second, and third-level defenders, with a low center of gravity and willingness to initiate contact. He is difficult to bring down with just one player, especially when hit high. He explodes through defenders when he puts his shoulder down and finishes nearly every run falling forward. His playmaking ability comes from turning marginal gains to intermediate chunk runs by breaking and eluding tackles and igniting his team. Skattebo lacks the long speed to be a home run threat as he had multiple instances of being caught from behind on what looked to be breakaway touchdowns. He has sufficient ball security overall and does a good job protecting the football when he initiates contact, but can be lackadaisical with his technique and hold the ball near his hip in space. Additionally, his running style leaves him vulnerable to fumbles when he fights for extra yards.

Last Word
Skattebo projects as an early-down starting back who best fits a power running scheme. He should provide value as a short-yardage back, especially in the red zone. While he can be an asset on 3rd down in the correct role, most of his damage will be done on early downs. Skattebo's ability to run after the catch and his size could provide some 3rd down reps as he continues to improve his route running and blocking technique. His physicality and competitive toughness will allow him to carve out a special teams role, but his lack of deep speed and experience are worth noting.

Brugler

BACKGROUND: Cameron "Cam" Skattebo (SKAT-eh-boo), one of four children, was born and raised in Rio Linda, Calif. (north of Sacramento), with
his parents (Leo and Becky), who divorced when Cam was 16. His father owns and operates a home inspection business and played football at
Colorado State. His older brother (Leonard IV) played fullback at Sacramento City College (2014-15) before transferring to Bowling Green
(2016-17). Cam Skattebo started playing organized sports at age 5, notably football and baseball (led his California Little League in home runs at
age 9). Leo coached Cam on the Rio Linda Junior Knights, where Cam played with the same group of kids throughout youth football and into high
school. He started out as a running back before moving to quarterback, and he also saw time at wide receiver and on defense. In high school, he
started speed/agility training with Lem Adams and GameFit Sacramento.
Just like his brother, father and grandfather, Cam Skattebo enrolled at Rio Linda High, where he had a record-setting football career. He moved up
to varsity as a sophomore running back and rushed for 992 yards and nine touchdowns. Skattebo had an exceptional junior season, leading Rio
Linda to a 13-2 record and the 2018 Division 5 state championship (393 rushing yards in the title game). He finished that season with 3,550
rushing yards (11.6 yards per carry) and 42 touchdowns, including 10 performances of 200 yards or more, earning league MVP and Sacramento
MVP honors. As a senior, Skattebo posted 1,650 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 245 passing yards and one touchdown to earn
all-league honors for the third straight season. He also played linebacker and collected a combined 168 tackles and three interceptions over his
three-year varsity career. Skattebo finished his prep career with 6,192 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns. He also lettered in baseball (pitcher and
catcher) and basketball (guard) at Rio Linda.
A no-star recruit, Skattebo wasn't ranked by online recruiting services in the 2020 class. After his prolific junior season, he picked up his first
Division I scholarship ofer (William & Mary) in February 2019. Despite averaging 9.9 yards per carry over his high school career, however, Skattebo
didn't receive any FBS ofers and finished with just two FCS ofers. He did visit UCLA and other programs in the former Pac-12, but none of those
schools ofered him. Midway through his senior season, he committed to nearby Sacramento State. He flirted with the idea of also playing baseball
in college, but the coaches didn't allow that to come to fruition. After three seasons in the FCS (including an All-America 2022 campaign), Skattebo
entered the transfer portal with the hopes of moving up to the FBS. He received ofers from San Jose State and Texas State, but Skattebo
committed almost on the spot when Arizona State entered the mix. He accepted his invitation to the Senior Bowl.
YEAR (GP/GS) CAR YDS AVG TD REC YDS AVG TD NOTES
2020: (-/-) Sacramento State; season cancelled because of pandemic
2021: (11/4) 57 520 9.12 6 12 124 10.33 1 Sacramento State; Third Team All-Big Sky
2022: (13/11) 195 1,372 7.04 7 31 371 11.97 3 Sacramento State; All-American; Big Sky Ofensive Player of the Year; First Team
All-Big Sky; 19-yard TD pass
2023: (12/7) 164 783 4.77 9 24 286 11.92 1 Arizona State; led team in rushing; completed 6-of-15 passes (1 TD, 1 INT)
2024: (13/13) 293 1,711 5.84 21 45 605 13.44 3 Arizona State; First Team All-American; First Team All-Big 12; led Big 12 in
rushing; missed one game (shoulder)
Total: (49/35) 709 4,386 6.19 43 112 1,386 12.38 8
THE BEAST | BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS 46
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP NOTES
COMBINE 5094 219 9 3/8 29 7/8 73 7/8 DNP DNP DNP 39 1/2 10' 3" DNP DNP DNP Jumps only (left hamstring)
PRO DAY 5095 216 9 29 3/8 74 1/4 4.65 2.67 1.58 DNP DNP DNP DNP 17
STRENGTHS:
● Short and stocky with brawny body composition
● Runs with tremendous balance and abides by "low man wins" slogan
● Drops square pads into contact to create a stalemate, then drives his legs to leverage forward (he would excel in rugby)
● Slams inside with determined strength to grind out yards
● Runs with vision and downhill urgency to find the crease
● Doesn't stay in one place too long, displaying agile footwork to weave or jump cut
● Builds up speed as he goes to create big plays (20 plays of 20 yards or more in 2024 — 12 rushes, eight catches)
● Soft-handed receiver and catches with ease
● Wired diferently and has always been mentally and physically tough (According to his mother, at age 6, he would wear his brother's pads and
run into telephone poles at football fields while the older kids were playing.)
● Versatile skill set (19 career pass attempts for 191 yards, three touchdowns and one interception)
● Punted eight times in 2023 (three times for for 50 yards or more) and played on kickof coverage in 2024
● Finished No. 2 in FBS in rushing yards in 2024, behind only Ashton Jeanty

WEAKNESSES:
● Short strider and takes a moment to get going, which leads to excess contact at or behind line of scrimmage
● Average burst and start-stop ability
● Lack of immediate juice will be more apparent on stretch plays against NFL pursuit
● Impatient pressing line of scrimmage and too eager barreling into contact
● Courageous runner but takes a lot of pounding — doesn't always need to show how tough he is
● Extra hits on body will lead to ball-security concerns (10 combined fumbles over past three seasons)
● Has body type and functional strength needed for pass pro but eye level and mechanics are inconsistent
● Missed one game as senior because of shoulder injury (Nov. 2024)

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Arizona State, Skattebo was the featured weapon in ofensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo's spread, multiple run
scheme. After two years at Sacramento State (Skattebo didn't have any FBS ofers out of high school), he achieved legendary status in Tempe,
Ariz., by leading the Sun Devils to the 2024 Big 12 championship and College Football Playof. He finished fifth in 2024 Heisman Trophy voting and
set Arizona State's single-season school records for rushing yards (1,711), rushing touchdowns (21) and total touchdowns (24).

Skattebo will struggle with some short-area cuts once he gets rolling downhill and can do a better job pressing the line, but his best traits are his
finishing toughness and sturdy balance to absorb hits, which make him a chore to tackle. He needs to improve his consistency as a pass blocker,
but his versatility as a receiver is an asset (first FBS player with 1,500 yards or more rushing and 500 yards or more receiving in the same season
since Christian McCafrey). Overall, Skattebo is a thickly built, compact runner who is more quick than explosive, but he competes with
tremendous resolve and understands how to rely on his pad level and contact balance to get the most out of every carry. He is a draftable
option for a team looking to upgrade its backfield physicality.

GRADE: 3rd-4th round

[MightyGiants]

[MightyGiants]

Nick Falato
@nickfalato
·
51s
My synopsis of Skattebo:

Cam Skattebo is a phenomenal overall football player who has worn many hats throughout his collegiate career.

He's a dangerous one-cut runner with a quality jump cut and vision, while having excellent receiving chops and some experience as a quarterback, kick returner, and punter.

Skattebo possesses an excellent combination of lateral agility and short-area quickness, along with a physical brute style of running that results in him falling forward through contact.

He lacks deep speed and the open-field explosiveness of other rushers, but maximizes his yards with contact balance and an elite understanding of how to angle his body upon the point of contact with defenders.

Skattebo is a smart physical three down-rusher with pass protection ability. Whoever selects him will fall in love with his skill-set and his playing style.


Next Gen Stats

@NextGenStats
·
2m
RD 4 | PK 105 - Giants: Cam Skattebo RB, Arizona State

The Sun Devils' do-it-all back earned the second-highest NGS overall draft score (88) among running backs in the 2025 class, trailing only Ashton Jeanty.

A two-year starter after transferring from Sacramento State, Skattebo served as the engine of Arizona State's offense in 2024, racking up over 2,300 scrimmage yards and 24 total touchdowns, both marks leading the Big 12. His production score of 93 ranked second among all running backs in the NGS model.

Though he skipped the 40-yard dash in Indianapolis, Skattebo flashed explosive lower-body traits with a 39.5-inch vertical and consistently showed burst and contact balance on tape.

Skattebo was
@NextGenStats
' No. 1 ranked Day 3 hidden gem entering this year's draft, and the top player available by the NGS draft score when the
@Giants
 turned in their card.



https://x.com/Doug_Analytics/status/1916165150140248381

https://x.com/BobbySkinner_/status/1916166220950253755

[Bob In PA]

All we've got to do in pass protection is tell him the guy who he is to block is a telephone pole.

From Brugler' report

● Wired diferently and has always been mentally and physically tough (According to his mother, at age 6, he would wear his brother's pads and
run into telephone poles at football fields while the older kids were playing.)

The whole report is somewhere above.

Bob

[Jolly Blue Giant]

All we've got to do in pass protection is tell him the guy who he is to block is a telephone pole.

From Brugler' report

● Wired diferently and has always been mentally and physically tough (According to his mother, at age 6, he would wear his brother's pads and
run into telephone poles at football fields while the older kids were playing.)

The whole report is somewhere above.

Bob

 

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/BobbySkinner_/status/1916173769787207692

[AZGiantFan]

He's like a pocket version of Brandon Jacobs crossed with Ahmad Bradshaw.  With a great name for a RB.