HEIGHT: 5’11”
WEIGHT: 215
POSITIVES
— Physical downhill runner with great contact balance.
— Combination of good patience when pressing the line of scrimmage and vision to find open lanes.
— Third-down value. Good receiving skill set and reliable pass protector.
— Unteachable effort and motor. Does not stop and brings the same energy all game.
NEGATIVES
— Lacks explosiveness and short-area burst.
— Adequate top-end speed, but won’t win many footraces against NFL athletes.
— Not a twitchy athlete or mover.
NOTES
— Born Feb. 5, 2002
— Unranked recruit in 2019 class, per 247Sports
— 2024 First-Team All-Big 12; Outstanding Player of the 2024 Big 12 Championship Game
— 2022 First Team All-Big Sky; Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year
OVERALL
Cam Skattebo is a physical, hard-charging running back who looks to set the tone.
Skattebo is difficult to bring down on first contact. He runs with a forward lean and lowers his shoulders to power through arm tackles with a finisher’s mentality. He’s a physical runner who will test the defense’s will. As a defender, you must be prepared to bring the same energy for all four quarters.
Skattebo has outstanding contact balance and pinballs off defenders as he drives forward for yards after contact. He has an innate feel for the space around him and keeps plays alive by staying upright in unconventional ways.
Skattebo offers more than a power presence downhill. He has good footwork to change directions and run lanes as he presses the line of scrimmage. He is a patient and efficient mover, allowing the offensive line to establish their blocks before he springs through the lanes. He epitomizes the coaching term, “Slow to, fast through.”
In the passing game, he is reliable as a receiver out of the backfield and stays in the pocket to protect the quarterback. He keeps a strong base and strikes with intent to anchor against free-running blitzing defenders. He was second on Arizona State in receptions in 2024.
Skattebo runs a variety of routes out of the backfield, like wheel/rail, Texas, flat and vertical double-moves. That increases his value and fits into an offensive game plan.
Athletically, Skattebo will not wow anyone. He lacks the explosiveness, short-area burst and acceleration to pull away from pursuing defenders. His top-end speed is adequate at best. Skattebo is caught from behind by athletic, pursuing defenders, and that will be the case in the NFL as well.
Without upper-echelon athletic traits, Skattebo will need to thrive off yards after contact, which is difficult to do in the NFL. Even though his movements are efficient, he is not a twitchy athlete, and if his feet are stopped, NFL defenders will box him behind or at the line of scrimmage.
Skattebo is a tough, gritty and physical runner. He projects in the NFL as a rotational RB with an incredible motor and a desire to continue moving forward. His value as a receiver and blocker will ensure he sees the field. Athletic testing will be major for him during the draft process, but I’d want him in my RB committee.
GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter — 3rd Round)
OVERALL RANK: 79
POSITION RANK: RB8