Who is Cam Skattebo? Born on February 5, 2002, in Rio Linda, California, Cam Skattebo is a rising star in college football. Known for his versatility and explosive plays, he started his journey at Rio Linda High School, where he rushed for 3,550 yards and 42 touchdowns in his junior year. After a stellar stint at Sacramento State, where he earned multiple accolades, Skattebo transferred to Arizona State. His 2023 season with the Sun Devils has been nothing short of spectacular, featuring standout performances against top teams like USC and Mississippi State. Skattebo's unique ability to excel in multiple positions makes him a player to watch.
Key Takeaways:
- Cam Skattebo's incredible journey from high school stardom to college football success showcases his versatility and historic achievements, making him a standout player in the sport.
- Skattebo's exceptional performances, national recognition, and historic milestones have solidified his position as one of the most talked-about and versatile players in college football.
Early Life and High School Achievements
Cam Skattebo's journey to football stardom began in Rio Linda, California. His early years were marked by incredible performances that set the stage for his future success.
- Birth and Early Life: Cam Skattebo was born on February 5, 2002, in Rio Linda, California.
- High School Career: Skattebo attended Rio Linda High School, where he had an outstanding junior season, rushing for 3,550 yards and 42 touchdowns, helping his team win a state championship.
College Commitment and Sacramento State
Cam's college career started with a commitment to Sacramento State, where he quickly made a name for himself.
- College Commitment: Skattebo committed to play college football for the Sacramento State Hornets.
- Sacramento State (2021): In his first season with the Sacramento State Hornets, Skattebo rushed for 520 yards and six touchdowns on 57 carries. He was named third team all Big Sky for his performance.
- Breakout Season (2022): The 2022 season saw Skattebo have a breakout year, rushing for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns. He also threw for a touchdown and returned an onside kick for a touchdown. This earned him first team all Big Sky and the Big Sky offensive player of the year. Additionally, he was named a FCS All American.
Transfer to Arizona State
After his success at Sacramento State, Skattebo transferred to Arizona State, where he continued to impress.
- Transfer to Arizona State: After the 2022 season, Skattebo entered the NCAA transfer portal and transferred to play for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
- Arizona State (2023): In his first season with the Sun Devils, Skattebo made significant contributions. In week four against USC, he completed two of his three passing attempts for 42 yards, rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown, and hauled in 79 receiving yards and a touchdown.
- First Career Start at Quarterback: In week 12 against Oregon, Skattebo made his first career start at quarterback, completing two of his six passes for 45 yards and an interception.
Notable Performances and Awards
Cam's performances on the field have earned him numerous accolades and recognition.
- Notable Performances: In week 2 against Mississippi State, Skattebo rushed for 262 yards, including a 39-yard rush that allowed the Sun Devils to kneel the rest of the game. This performance earned him the AP National Player of the Week, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, and the Doak Walker Running Back of the Week.
- Semifinalist for Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards: Skattebo has been named semifinalist for the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards, recognizing his exceptional performance as a running back and overall offensive player.
Statistical Achievements
Cam's stats speak volumes about his talent and versatility on the field.
- Statistical Achievements: Skattebo is among the national leaders in several major statistical categories, including rushing yards (1,074) and total touchdowns (13).
- Unique Achievement: He is the only player in the country with 1,000+ rushing yards and 300+ receiving yards this season, even with a missed game.
- All-Purpose Yards: Skattebo has recorded games with over 250 all-purpose yards twice, joining Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Utah State’s Jalen Royals as the only two FBS players to do so twice this year.
Versatility and Impact
Skattebo's versatility has made him a standout player, capable of excelling in multiple roles.
- Receiving Yards: Skattebo became the first Sun Devil running back with 100+ rushing AND receiving yards in a single game since Demario Richard in 2015.
- Receiving Yard Milestones: Skattebo’s 117-yard receiving yard effort against Texas Tech made him the first ASU running back to have over 100 receiving yards in a game since Kalen Ballage on Nov. 10, 2016 at Utah (113).
- Pro Football Focus Grade: Skattebo has an overall offensive grade of 88.0 from Pro Football Focus this season, good for fourth among all FBS running backs and second among Power Four conference backs.
- Rushing Yards Against Utah: Skattebo’s 158 rushing yards against Utah were the most allowed by the Utes since UCLA’s Zach Charbonnet had 198 on Oct. 8, 2022.
- Longest Rushing Touchdown: His 50-yard touchdown run against Utah was the longest rushing TD by a Sun Devil since Rachaad White had a 50-yard touchdown on the ground against USC in 2021.
- Career Longest Rushing Touchdown: This 50-yard touchdown surpassed his previous career long touchdown run of 43 yards against Utah Tech in 2022 while he was at Sacramento State.
- Versatility: Skattebo has played various positions, including quarterback, running back, tight end, slot receiver, and wide receiver. He has also punted for the team, with a team-best 42.3 yards per punt on eight punts.
Punting Achievements and Career Stats
Beyond running and receiving, Skattebo has also shown prowess in punting.
- Punting Achievements: Skattebo is one of just three punters in the country with eight or more punts who have not had any of their punts returned.
- Career Rushing Yards: As of 2024, Skattebo is 10th among all active FBS and FCS running backs with 2,681 career rushing yards.
- Yards Per Carry: His 6.4 yards per carry is tied for fourth among active FBS and FCS running backs with a minimum of 300 carries.
- Missed Tackles Forced: Skattebo has forced 150 career missed tackles on rushing plays, which is fifth among active FBS and FCS halfbacks. His 0.38 missed tackles forced per rushing attempt are third among those with a minimum of 300 attempts.
- Missed Tackles Forced in 2023: In the 2023 season, Skattebo forced 57 missed tackles on rushing plays, which is third among FBS running backs.
National Recognition and Historic Milestones
Despite not being a Heisman Trophy finalist, Skattebo's achievements have garnered national attention.
- Heisman Trophy Snub: Despite his impressive performance, Skattebo was not named a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2024. However, he remains one of the most talked-about players in college football.
- National Recognition: Skattebo is the only player in the nation to have more than 1,000 rushing yards and more than 500 receiving yards this season, a mark that has never been reached by any Heisman Trophy-winning running back.
- Big 12 History: He is the first player in Big 12 history to ever reach the milestone of over 1,000 rushing yards and over 500 receiving yards in a single season.
- Christian McCaffrey Comparison: Skattebo is the first player nationwide to accomplish this feat since Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey in 2015.
- Games with at Least 200 All-Purpose Yards: Skattebo has had four games with at least 200 all-purpose yards, which is the second-most in the nation behind Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty (seven).
Rushing and Total Touchdowns
Skattebo's ability to find the end zone has been a key part of his success.
- Rushing Touchdowns in ASU History: Skattebo is tied for the most rushing touchdowns in a season (19) in ASU history with Woody Green, who set the record in 1972.
- Total Touchdowns: If you add his three receiving touchdowns to his rushing touchdowns, Skattebo moves into a tie with Wilford "Whizzer" White, who had 22 touchdowns in 1950.
Weekly Awards and Honors
Cam's weekly performances have earned him several prestigious awards.
- AP National Player of the Week: Skattebo was named the AP National Player of the Week for his performance against Mississippi State.
- Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week: He was also named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week for the same game.
- Doak Walker Running Back of the Week: Additionally, Skattebo was named the Doak Walker Running Back of the Week for his outstanding performance.
Semifinalist Honors and Historic Numbers
Skattebo's season has been filled with historic numbers and semifinalist honors.
- Semifinalist for Maxwell Award: Skattebo is the first Sun Devil to be selected as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the top offensive player in college football.
- Semifinalist for Doak Walker Award: He is just the second Sun Devil to be named a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, which recognizes the nation's top running back. The last Sun Devil to achieve this was Eno Benjamin in 2018.
- Historic Numbers: Skattebo’s 1,074 rushing yards this season put him 20th on Arizona State's all-time list, and his 448 receiving yards make him one of the most versatile players in college football history.
Receiving Yard Achievements
Skattebo's receiving yard achievements have set him apart from other running backs.
- Receiving Yards Against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech: Skattebo recorded 121 receiving yards against Oklahoma State and 117 against Texas Tech, which are the 4th and 6th most receiving yards by an FBS halfback this season.
- First ASU Running Back with Over 100 Receiving Yards in a Game Since Kalen Ballage: His 117-yard receiving yard effort against Texas Tech made him the first ASU running back to have over 100 receiving yards in a game since Kalen Ballage on Nov. 10, 2016 at Utah (113).
Cam Skattebo: A Rising Star in College Football
Cam Skattebo's journey from Rio Linda High School to becoming a standout player for the Arizona State Sun Devils is nothing short of impressive. His versatility, whether rushing, receiving, or even punting, sets him apart in college football. With over 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season, Skattebo has achieved milestones that few players ever reach. His performances against teams like Mississippi State and USC have earned him national recognition, including being a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Doak Walker Awards. Despite not being a Heisman Trophy finalist, his impact on the field is undeniable. Skattebo's ability to force missed tackles, his high yards per carry, and his all-purpose yardage make him a player to watch. As he continues his career, Cam Skattebo is poised to leave an even greater mark on college football.
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