ASU Football: Looking back at Cam Skattebo’s legacy in Tempe

January 7, 2025 Adam Kunin Football, Inferno Intel 0

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Cam Skattebo wrapped up a historic senior season at ASU, in which he claimed the single-season rushing record and total touchdown mark. (Hana Kaufman/Inferno Intel)

Down double-digits in the fourth quarter of the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, Texas had Arizona State and senior running back Cam Skattebo pinned against the ropes. 

The Sun Devils’ star halfback started puking on the sideline, battling a stomach bug and exhaustion after facing a stout Texas defense that swarmed him like a pack of wolves all afternoon. 

Yet, like many of his signature long runs headlined by multiple broken tackles, Skattebo wouldn’t let his Sun Devils go down quietly.

After three long quarters, Skattebo tightened his gloves and found another extra gear. Still upright, in the proverbial eleventh round of the Peach Bowl bout, he delivered haymakers to help his team claw, fight and scrap their way back from the depths of defeat. 

And although one last Herculean effort from Skattebo couldn’t get ASU across the finish line against Texas, his undying relentlessness symbolized the immense passion he played with throughout his career as a Sun Devil. 

His journey in Tempe began back in December of 2022 when Skattebo decided to suit up for the maroon and gold. 

On the heels of a 3-9 season and NCAA sanctions looming large, newly hired head coach Kenny Dillingham looked to establish a fresh identity for his Arizona State Sun Devils. Dillingham needed culture changers and he struck gold digging in the FCS pool when he discovered an overlooked 5-foot-10 inch 200 lb. transfer running back from Sacramento State. 

Receiving offers from only two programs out of high school in Rio Linda, California, Skattebo took on an underdog role from the moment his collegiate career began. 

Yet, after an impressive showing in spring practices, Skattebo found himself atop the depth chart as the top dog of a running back room. A role that saw big shoes to fill after the departure of former ASU running back Xazavien Valladay who rushed for 1,192 yards in the previous season. 

Skattebo served as the Sun Devils’ offensive bell cow running back–and part-time quarterback, and at one point punter. Injuries throughout the lineup forced Skattebo to step up and play several roles to keep ASU competitive in most games.

Despite the team’s struggles in his debut season, Skattebo’s weekly highlight plays remained a rare bright spot for the maroon and gold, as he accounted for over a thousand yards from scrimmage.

His heroics helped rally ASU to a pair of victories late into conference play, but most importantly he led the charge in a culture change that laid the foundation for the program’s eventual turnaround. 

However, over the offseason, Dillingham served his star tailback the cold hard truth: He wouldn’t have the opportunity to play professionally unless he transformed his body to become a more athletic, all-purpose running back. 

“I really challenged him after last year,” Dillingham said. “I said listen if you want to play on Sundays… you’re going to drop weight, you’re going to get in better shape, you’re going to be faster, you’re going to control your passion and you’re going to channel it.”

And so, he did. Skattebo worked to shed around 15 pounds and added muscle to reaffirm his commitment to becoming one of the nation’s top halfbacks. 

In 2024, Skattebo leveled up. The once doubted and so-called “one-dimensional” running back had become the prime subject of defensive coordinators’ nightmares.

The time he’d put in over the offseason paid off, as Skattebo’s improved speed and versatility translated into a season where he surpassed 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

He claimed a host of program records including single-season rushing yards with 1,676 to pass former ASU running back Eno Benjamin’s previous mark of 1,642 yards and single-season total touchdowns with 24 to surpass Sun Devil tailback Wilford White.

Throughout the season, Skattebo exuded a confidence that became almost infectious among his teammates. There was an everlasting belief that the team could compete with anyone as long as their star running back led the way. 

His explosive senior campaign helped Arizona State reach ten wins for the first time in a decade, vaulting the Sun Devils into the Big 12 title game in their inaugural season in the conference. 

But the chip never left Skattebo’s shoulder amid the success. 

Still fighting to earn a spot as one of the four Heisman finalists, Skattebo put on one of his greatest acts in a Sun Devil uniform by rushing for 170 yards and getting into the end zone three times to lead the way in a 45-19 blowout Big 12 Championship victory over Iowa State.

“I’ve been disrespected my whole life,” Skattebo told reporters after the Big 12 Championship. “I’ll always be the underdog. Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country. And I’m going to stand on that. If people want to disrespect that I’m going to keep going and I’m going to keep proving people wrong. No matter [if I’m] winning the Heisman or losing the Heisman I should still be in that situation.”

Still, Skattebo didn’t earn an invitation to New York for the ceremony. Giving him more fuel for one last ride with his underdog Sun Devil squad in the College Football playoff.

And once again Skattebo lived up to the bill. He netted 143 yards on the ground, racked up an additional 99 as a pass catcher and accounted for a trio of touchdowns including a 42-yard touchdown pass in an all-time classic Peach Bowl performance. 

Skattebo’s single-season records alone cement him as an all-time great Sun Devil. However, his impact reaches far beyond his place in the record books. 

Skattebo took the time to sign the autographs, take the pictures and talk to the media, all of which circle back to his overarching legacy. He grew the program and woke the sleeping giant.

For Skattebo, laying the foundation for future success in Tempe remained just as important as personal achievements. Now, with the help of his teammates and coaches, he has the program on an upward trajectory.

“We got this thing started, we have to keep it rolling and get those younger guys following in the right footsteps so they can keep it going in the future,” Skattebo said.

With the curtain closing on Skattebo’s historic career at ASU, preparations have already begun to honor the star running back in the future. It’s only fitting that the man who took the program to new heights has a place among the all-time ASU greats.

“What he’s done in two years has transformed this program. It’s captivated this fanbase,” Arizona State athletic director Graham Rossini said on The Burns and Gambo Show. “He’ll be an ASU hall of famer. He’ll be recognized here forevermore.”

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