Would love to be the fly on the wall when Hines Ward talks to the Steelers Scouting Department/Khan/Tomlin/Deuce about him!
How many will say “why do we want another Connor Heyward?”
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DRAFT PROFILE: BIO
The rise of Cam Skattebo from Sacramento State transfer to Heisman Trophy finalist stands as one of college football's most compelling stories in 2024. After amassing over 6,000 yards and 69 touchdowns at Rio Linda High School, Skattebo took the long road through Sacramento State, where he earned Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022. His transfer to Arizona State proved transformational, as he exploded for 1,586 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns in 2024, finishing fifth in Heisman voting and earning Big 12 Championship Game MVP honors.
Skattebo's versatility jumped off the tape in 2024, as he became just the second Big 12 player ever to compile 1,500+ rushing yards and 500+ receiving yards in a season. His punishing running style and surprising receiving acumen helped him rack up 2,074 all-purpose yards despite missing a game. The durability concerns that followed him from Sacramento State evaporated as he shouldered a massive workload, posting seven 100+ yard rushing games including a 262-yard masterpiece against Mississippi State that stands as the second-highest single-game rushing total in Sun Devils history.
SCOUTING REPORT: STRENGTHS
Runs with tremendous forward lean and natural leverage, consistently falling forward through contact while maintaining outstanding balance through trash - reminds me of a young Maurice Jones-Drew in traffic
Elite contact balance shows up repeatedly on film, particularly in his signature performance against Mississippi State where he broke 12 tackles en route to 262 yards
Patient runner who sets up blocks effectively, showing discipline to let plays develop before hitting the hole with decisive authority and acceleration
More skilled as a receiver than his background suggests - natural hands catcher who adjusts well to throws and shows good feel finding soft spots against zone
Exceptional vision to spot cutback lanes and anticipate blocks developing, consistently making correct read even when initial hole is clogged
Runs with infectious energy and competitiveness - type of back who energizes an offense with his physical, punishing style between the tackles
Surprising lateral agility for his build, can string together multiple cuts without losing speed and shows good burst through the hole
Reliable short-yardage and goal-line back who converted 78% of third-and-short situations in 2024 thanks to natural leverage and leg drive
SCOUTING REPORT: WEAKNESSES
Ball security is a major concern - 10 fumbles over past three seasons often stem from running too upright into contact and poor technique protecting the football
Long speed is merely adequate - clicked 4.62 in forty and that shows up on tape with defenders occasionally running him down from behind
Pass protection is wildly inconsistent - willing to stick his nose in but technique breaks down and will occasionally whiff completely on assignments
Jump cuts can get too elaborate at times, dancing behind line instead of hitting available holes - needs to play more north-south against NFL speed
Workload over past two seasons (521 carries) raises some durability questions despite sturdy build and physical running style
SCOUTING REPORT: SUMMARY
Every few years, a back emerges from the depths of college football to force NFL evaluators to throw their traditional metrics out the window. Skattebo fits that mold perfectly - the former Sacramento State standout who transformed himself from FCS transfer to Heisman finalist through sheer force of will. His tape shows a runner who seems to feed off being overlooked, consistently outperforming his athletic testing numbers through exceptional instincts and raw determination.
The NFL will likely undervalue Skattebo again due to his modest 4.62 speed and small-school background. But smart teams will see past the measurables to recognize a back who simply produces, regardless of competition level. His journey from Sacramento State to the Big 12 Championship MVP spotlights his ability to elevate his game against top competition. There's an undeniable edge to his running style - he doesn't just break tackles, he seems to take personal offense to arm tackles and glancing contact.
While Skattebo may never be the fastest or most explosive back on an NFL roster, he's exactly the type of player who outworks his way into a significant role. His receiving ability (506 yards in 2024) adds another layer to his game that many "try-hard" backs lack. Expect him to begin his career as a complementary piece before earning a larger role through the same tenacity that's defined his college career. He's built in the mold of former NFL backs like Alfred Morris and James Robinson - runners who repeatedly proved the draft analysts wrong through production over flash.
