Cam Skattebo 2025 NFL Draft Arizona State RB Scouting Report
With the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner, one running back that you need to know is Cam Skattebo. Coming from Arizona State, Skattebo is a productive RB who played football for the Sun Devils. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook in this draft report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Cam Skattebo 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Cameron Skattebo’s journey to the 2025 NFL Draft is a testament to grit and perseverance. A zero-star recruit out of Rio Linda High School, Skattebo dominated with over 6,000 career yards and 69 touchdowns. However, he received just one Division I offer, coming from FCS Sacramento State. He quickly established himself there. Ultimately, he earned himself Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 with 1,372 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns.
Transferring to Arizona State in 2023, Skattebo elevated his game, culminating in a monstrous 2024 season: 1,711 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 605 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. Finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and earning Big 12 Championship Game MVP, Skattebo transformed from an overlooked prospect into a household name in college football.
Moreover, Skattebo is a compact, powerfully built runner at 5’9 1/2” and 219 pounds. He has a low center of gravity that enhances his balance and tackle-breaking ability. Additionally, his 39.5-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine underscores his lower-body explosiveness. However, his long speed is average for the position. Furthermore, his thick frame and strong core allow him to absorb contact and keep his legs churning. This makes him a nightmare for defenders in tight spaces.
HT: 5094
WT: 219
HAND: 1138
ARM: 3448
40: 4.59
Strengths
- Contact Balance and Toughness: Skattebo runs with a relentless, physical style, shrugging off arm tackles and often requiring multiple defenders to bring him down. His ability to fall forward and grind out extra yards is elite, ranking him among the top backs in yards after contact (over 60% of his 2024 rushing yards).
- Vision and Patience: He displays exceptional field awareness, precisely reading blocks and waiting for lanes to develop before exploding through them. His “slow to, fast through” approach maximizes efficiency between the tackles.
- Versatility: Skattebo’s 605 receiving yards in 2024 (second only to Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty among RBs) highlight his soft hands and ability to turn short passes into chunk plays. He’s also a capable pass protector and has experience throwing (8-of-19, 191 yards, 3 TD) and punting (42.3-yard average), showcasing rare multi-dimensionality.
- Durability and Workload Capacity: With 338 touches in 2024, Skattebo proved he could handle a bell-cow role without wearing down, getting stronger as games and the season progressed.
- Competitive Edge: His fiery demeanor—evident in his on-field intensity and locker-room speeches—brings a tone-setting presence that elevates those around him.
Areas for Improvement
- Limited Top-End Speed: Skattebo lacks the breakaway gear to consistently turn short gains into home-run plays at the NFL level. Defenders with plus athleticism can catch him from behind in open space.
- Ball Security: Ten career fumbles (four in 2024) raise concerns about his ability to protect the football, especially when bracing for contact. This must improve to earn trust as a primary back.
- Pass Protection Technique: While willing and physical, Skattebo’s pass-blocking reps at Arizona State were limited, and his technique needs refinement to handle NFL edge rushers.
- Age and Wear: At 23 years old on draft day with over 700 college carries, Skattebo is older than most prospects and carries significant tread, potentially impacting his long-term ceiling.
- Lateral Agility: He’s more decisive than elusive, relying on power over quick-twitch cuts to evade defenders, which could limit his effectiveness against faster NFL linebackers.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Skattebo’s tape reveals a runner who thrives in chaos. Against Mississippi State, his 262-yard outburst showcased his ability to stack jump cuts with bulldozing finishes, turning a muddy SEC defense into a highlight reel. In the Peach Bowl against Texas, he displayed his full arsenal. Impressively, barreling through tackles, snagging contested catches, and even tossing a 42-yard touchdown pass. This proved he can dominate elite competition. His wildcat usage at Arizona State adds a wrinkle. However, it’s unlikely to translate heavily to the pros. Where he shines is in short-yardage and red-zone situations, where his low pad level and relentless leg drive make him a scoring machine.
Skattebo profiles as a high-volume, physical runner best suited for a gap or inside-zone scheme that emphasizes downhill momentum. His receiving ability makes him a three-down threat, though he’ll need to polish his pass protection to stay on the field in obvious passing downs. He’s not a feature back in the mold of a Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffrey due to his speed limitations, but he’s an ideal RB1B/solid RB2 or rotational piece who can wear down defenses and thrive in a committee. Think of a more versatile Tyler Allgeier or a less explosive James Conner. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers—needing a tone-setter with receiving upside—could target him.
Overall, Skattebo’s tape screams “football player”—a throwback runner with modern versatility. While his athletic ceiling caps his upside, his production, toughness, and intangibles suggest he’ll outplay his draft slot. Ultimately, if he cleans up his ball security and proves his combine vertical translates to on-field burst, he could sneak into the back end of Day 2. However, he’s more likely an early Day 3 pick. Expect him to carve out a multi-year role as a dependable, high-effort contributor in the right NFL system.
Round Grade: 4th Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Att | Yds | Y/A | TD | Rec | Yds | TD |
| 2023 | Arizona State | 12 | 164 | 783 | 4.8 | 9 | 24 | 286 | 1 |
| 2024 | Arizona State | 13 | *293* | *1711* | 5.8 | 21 | 45 | 605 | 3 |
| Career | 25 | 457 | 2494 | 5.5 | 30 | 69 | 891 | 4 |
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