The chip on Cam Skattebo’s shoulder still very much exists even after a breakout season at Arizona State got him drafted by the New York Giants on Day 3 at No. 105 overall.
“How many snaps of the NFL have you seen me play?” Skattebo asked during rookie camp. “Zero, right? I’ve proved nothing. I’ve proved what I am in college, but I’ve proved nothing at this level. So now, where I’m at, I have to prove myself, and if that’s for five years or if that’s for 10 years, I’m going to continue to prove myself.”
The 23-year-old bruising running back was a virtual unknown at Arizona State entering the 2024-25 season before posting 2,316 yards from scrimmage, 24 touchdowns, and became the first FBS player since Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to record at least 1,700 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season.
He finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting while helping Arizona State reach the College Football Playoff, losing to Texas at the Peach Bowl.
While his father, who was a wide receiver in high school, instilled in him the game of catching football at an early age, Skattebo’s calling card remains his ability to run through and over would-be tacklers.
“It feels good when you run somebody over and then get in the end zone,” Skattebo said. “I mean, it feels good when you get in the end zone, but imagine running someone over and then running another person over and then getting in the end zone. It’s that much better. So, it just shows that when you’re physical, it shows the work you put in in the weight room and how much you do to make your game better.”
Of course, the level of tackling at the NFL level is far higher, which offers fewer chances for Skattebo to bowl over the opposition. For a prospect who ran a 4.65-second 40-yard dash — not entirely optimal for a running back — there will be an added stress to show an elusive side to his game; something he knows is very much there.
“This past year I didn’t do it a ton,” he said. “I more so hit people or attacked their one shoulder, but I mean, if people want to sleep, they can sleep. I have no issue with that. It’s been something I’ve had to deal with my whole life, so I’m going to continue to do what I need to do to be successful and play as long as I can in this league.”
It is up to head coach Brian Daboll to deploy Skattebo in the proper scenarios as part of a platoon with Tyrone Tracy and Devin Singletary. But reps should be plentiful for the rookie, given the versatility that Daboll gushed about.
“He plays with great contact balance,” Daboll said. “He’s tough as nails. You can use him in a variety of ways. Pass game, he can catch, he can run routes… he’s got very good vision and quick feet.
“He’s a 220-pound back who runs with power, toughness, and has the type of personality that I think [GM Joe Schoen] did a great job of along with the scouts of bringing in guys that have a lot of toughness.”
