Cam Skattebo's dominance throughout the 2024 campaign led to him becoming one of the most popular players in college football.
His All-American season resulted in him being selected 105th overall by the Giants in this year's draft. But Skattebo did not walk the typical path that most draft picks take to the NFL.
The California native began his collegiate career at Sacramento State, the only D-1 school to give him an offer out of high school, where he played two seasons and was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022. His performance with the Hornets caught the eye of Arizona State running backs coach Shaun Aguano, who helped recruit Skattebo to the Sun Devils.
Aguano recently joined the Giants Huddle podcast to talk about what the Giants are getting in the rookie back.
"Great personality," Aguano said about his first impressions of Skattebo. "Intense guy that played the underdog mentality the whole time. What people don't understand, and you don't find this too much, is he loves football. He's an all-ball guy. That kind of persuaded me to jump on him real quick and persuade him to get to Arizona State. His football intelligence is probably one of the most elite things about him, as well as his athletic ability. But he understands the game of football and loves the game of football."
During that 2022 season at Sacramento State, Skattebo rushed for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns, added 31 receptions for 371 yards and another three touchdowns, and helped his team go 11-0 and reach No. 2 in the nation in the FCS rankings.
"What stood out was his contact balance," Skattebo's former RB coach said about his play prior to arriving at Arizona State. "I didn't know if it was real or maybe not because he was playing at that FCS level. Would it translate to the FBS level? I didn't know. But I loved his tenacity and the way that he played the game. That intrigued me the most."
Hindsight is 20/20, and looking back at Skattebo's two-year stretch with the Sun Devils, it's safe to say these skills translated to the FBS level.
In his first season playing in the Pac-12, Skattebo carried the ball 164 times for 783 yards (4.8 avg.) and nine touchdowns while adding 24 receptions for 286 yards and another score.
But it was his performance this past season that landed him squarely on the NFL's radar. Skattebo took 293 rush attempts for 1,711 yards, good for an average of 5.8 yards per carry, and 21 touchdowns. The rushing yardage was second in the nation behind only Boise State's Ashton Jeanty. Skattebo also contributed in the passing game, catching 45 passes for 605 yards and three touchdowns. This led to him being named first-team All-American and first-team All-Big 12.
Skattebo was one of only two players in the nation with over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards (Syracuse's LeQuint Allen was the other), and the first FBS player to reach 1,500+ rushing yards and 500+ receiving yards in a season since Christian McCaffrey in 2015.
"His lateral quickness is something people don't understand, and especially from his contact," said Aguano. "When he makes contact, his separation from the contact is elite, as well, because he's a strong, strong kid with a good core. But again, lateral quickness, they think that he's going to get hit and next thing you know, we call it "Skat runs." It's supposed to be 3-4 yards because somebody filled it. The next thing you know, he's gone for 20-25 yards because he made an explosive (play)."
It's not just his physicality that makes him so successful on the field.
According to his former position coach, it's also due to his approach to the game.
"What people don't understand about Cam is that he wants to know the why of it," the ASU running backs coach said. "He knows the blocking scheme, he knows the calls, he knows the protection, he knows why that happens, he knows the pressures, the simulated pressures and where they're coming from because he studies the why and he wants to know. He's a guy that asks a lot of questions, but those questions are very intelligent questions because he wants to know 'why do we do it?' He'll challenge you if you don't have an answer to why you do it, because he studies so much of the game."
Despite only transferring to Arizona State as a junior, it didn't take long for Skattebo to take on a leadership role.
Aguano told the Giants Huddle podcast that the talented back went out of his way to help the younger players in the RB room last season, even as he put together an All-American season.
According to his former coach, even though he enjoyed tremendous success last year, Skattebo will enter the NFL with that same underdog mentality he brought when he first arrived in Tempe, Arizona.
"He's intense all the time," said Aguano. "He's actually a very funny guy, but he's an intelligent guy. But once those lights go on, he's ready to play football. He's a big relationship guy. I think in order for people to understand him, he builds relationships, he builds that trust, and then he'll run through a wall for you. He does well in our room because he's taking that leadership role where he'll help out the younger guys. So, he became the leader in that room. He'll wait his turn and play that underdog, and he'll battle every day, until he gets to a spot where he thinks he can compete at a high level."
As for his personality off the field, Aguano has no doubt that Skattebo will fit right in here.
"What you see is what you're going to get," his former coach said. "He's very good out in public with people. He's approachable, he has a great personality. Being in New York, he's going to fit right in. At the same time, you'll love the way he plays. He'll bring that enthusiasm to the game."
View photos from running back Cam Skattebo's collegiate career at Arizona State.
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs with the ball against BYU safety Ethan Slade (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 28-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo avoids Utah cornerback Zemaiah Vaughn (5) in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo runs with the ball against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo runs for a touchdown against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates a touchdown run against BYU with offensive lineman Max Iheanachor (58) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates a touchdown against BYU with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) and offensive lineman Kyle Scott (77) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 28-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State's Cam Skattebo breaks a tackle by Cincinnati's Josh Minkins on a touchdown run during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) breaks away from BYU cornerback Kevin Doe on a touchdown run during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 28-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State's Cam Skattebo looks down the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Utah, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) reacts after defeating Utah during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) pumps up the crowd before their game against the Kansas Jayhawks during a NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo runs for a touchdown against BYU during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. Arizona State won 28-23. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Utah, Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) against the Kansas Jayhawks during a NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs away from Kansas defensive end Bai Jobe (46) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State Sun Devils running back Cam Skattebo (4) against the Kansas Jayhawks during a NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) slips a tackle from Kansas linebacker JB Brown (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) makes Kansas safety Taylor Davis (27) miss during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas State in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) against Mississippi State in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) against Mississippi State in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball against Mississippi State in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) in the second half during an NCAA college football game against Mississippi State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, center, dives for a touchdown against Texas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in San Marcos, Texas, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo, center front, runs the ball against Mississippi State in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball in the first half during an NCAA football game against Wyoming on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball in the first half during an NCAA football game against Wyoming on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) against Mississippi State in the first half during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs during the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh McSwain)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) makes the catch against Texas defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. Texas won 39-31 in two overtime periods. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball in the first half during an NCAA football game against Wyoming on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Texas during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs during the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh McSwain)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Leif Fautanu (79) and quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) after a touchdown against Iowa State in the second half during the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh McSwain)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) scores a touchdown on a running play in the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs into Texas defensive back Andrew Mukuba (4) during the second half in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) looks to the crowd with teammate tight end Chamon Metayer (7) after a touchdown in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Josh McSwain)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) holds up the most valuable player trophy after the team's win against Iowa State in the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates his touchdown run as offensive lineman Kyle Scott (77) and others look on in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State wide receiver Xavier Guillory (1) celebrates with running back Cam Skattebo (4) after catching a touchdown pass as Iowa State defensive back Myles Purchase (5) looks on in the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) carries the ball for a long gain against Iowa State in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) sprints to the end zone for a touchdown in the second half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates after running the ball for a touchdown against Iowa State in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball for a first down in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) carries the ball for a long gain after getting past Iowa State defensive end Ikenna Ezeogu (88) in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona defensive back Gavin Hunter (10) tackles Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo runs with the ball as BYU defensive end Isaiah Bagnah dives to make a tackle during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball for a touchdown against Iowa State in the first half of the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, left, hands the ball off to Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo during the first half of an NCAA college football game against BYU Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs the ball in the first half during an NCAA football game against Wyoming on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs past BYU linebacker Harrison Taggart during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Samantha Chow)
Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo (4) runs with the ball as BYU linebacker Harrison Taggart (11) tries to make a tackle as Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
