Cam Skattebo’s Draft Journey: A Collision of Violence and Uncertainty
Indianapolis buzzed with anticipation as NFL hopefuls descended upon Lucas Oil Stadium for the annual Combine. Among them was Cam Skattebo, the former Arizona State running back who had captivated audiences with his relentless running style and undeniable impact on the College Football Playoff stage. However, the draft process is a gauntlet of evaluations, scrutinizing every facet of a player’s potential, and Skattebo arrived with a singular question mark hanging over his head: speed.
Daniel Jeremiah, a respected NFL Network draft analyst, openly expressed his eagerness to witness Skattebo’s 40-yard dash time. The 40, a staple of the Combine, serves as a benchmark for assessing a player’s straight-line speed and explosiveness, critical attributes for running backs at the professional level. But Skattebo, defying expectations, announced his decision to forgo the 40-yard dash at the Combine, opting instead to showcase his speed at Arizona State’s pro day.
"People don’t think I’m as fast as I am," Skattebo declared with confidence, "which, I am fast." His statement underscored the perceived weakness in his game, the one area that scouts and analysts were most eager to evaluate. While he would participate in the vertical and broad jump drills, measurements of lower body power and explosiveness, the absence of a Combine 40-yard dash inevitably fueled further speculation about his top-end speed.
Jeremiah, in a previous conference call with reporters, had articulated a benchmark for Skattebo, stating that a 40-yard dash time in the 4.5-second range would significantly bolster his draft stock. He expressed admiration for nearly every other aspect of Skattebo’s game, highlighting his physicality, vision, and relentless pursuit of contact.
"This kid, he just chooses violence," Jeremiah exclaimed, capturing the essence of Skattebo’s aggressive running style. "I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a more aggressive runner who just seeks out contact and can absorb contact."
Skattebo’s journey to this point has been marked by both impressive production and a unique blend of power and agility. Standing at 5-foot-11 and weighing 215 pounds, he carved a path through opposing defenses, leaving a trail of broken tackles and frustrated defenders in his wake. His performance in the 2023 season was nothing short of exceptional, amassing 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 13 games. Beyond his rushing prowess, he also proved to be a valuable asset in the passing game, hauling in 45 receptions for 605 yards and three touchdowns.
"My objective at the end of the day is (to) get to the end zone," Skattebo stated, emphasizing his unwavering focus on scoring. "Being able to do that the way I do it, it works, so I’m going to continue to do it until it doesn’t work and then figure out how to make something work."
Skattebo’s impact extended beyond regular season success, as he delivered standout performances on the biggest stages of college football. In the Sun Devils’ hypothetical Big 12 championship game victory over Iowa State (owing to future conference realignment), he tallied three total touchdowns and 170 rushing yards. However, his signature performance came against Texas in the hypothetical 2025 Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup. In that game, Skattebo carried the ball 30 times for 143 yards and two touchdowns, caught eight passes for 99 yards, and even threw a touchdown pass. Despite the heartbreaking double-overtime loss to Texas, Skattebo’s dominant performance earned him the game’s MVP award.
"I’m physical… Punish the defender because they don’t want to do it for four quarters," Skattebo explained, highlighting his commitment to wearing down opponents through relentless physicality. He also expressed surprise at being the sole invitee from Arizona State to the Combine, acknowledging the dedication and talent within his team.
"Going to Arizona State was the best decision I’ve made in my life," Skattebo added. "They set me up for success and put me where I’m at now."
Jeremiah’s search for a pro comparison for Skattebo led him to another Arizona-based running back, James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals.
"When I was looking for a comp for him, my first thought was, ‘OK, he’s like a shrunk-down James Conner,’" Jeremiah said, highlighting the similarities in their physicality and ability to absorb contact.
However, Jeremiah offered a more whimsical and perhaps more accurate depiction of Skattebo’s running style, drawing a parallel to the game show "The Price is Right" and the iconic "Plinko" game.
"He’s just bouncing off everything and everybody," Jeremiah explained. "We know he can catch it. We know, obviously, the vision, balance, and toughness. The only question is going to be the top speed. To me, he looks like he’d probably be a low 4.6 (40-yard dash) guy."
Current mock drafts that extend beyond the first round generally project Skattebo to be selected in the middle rounds, ranging from the third to the fifth. The 2024 draft class is replete with talented running backs, with names like Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton projected to be first-round selections in some mock drafts. Despite the depth at the position, one team will ultimately submit a draft card with Skattebo’s name on it, recognizing the unique value he brings to the table.
"Whoever gets him is going to have one of the most aggressive and physical runners that we’ve seen in the last few years," Jeremiah concluded. "He’s a fun one."
Cam Skattebo’s draft prospects hinge largely on his pro day performance and his 40-yard dash time. If he can demonstrate sufficient speed to allay concerns, he has the potential to rise in the draft rankings. But regardless of where he is ultimately selected, one thing is certain: Cam Skattebo will bring a relentless, physical, and undeniably exciting brand of football to the NFL. He is a player who embraces contact, seeks out opportunities to punish defenders, and is driven by a singular goal: reaching the end zone. The NFL awaits the arrival of this force of nature, eager to witness the collision of violence and talent that defines Cam Skattebo.
