There are some athletes who just make those around them better. Cam Skattebo is one of those, according to FOX college football analyst Brock Huard.
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Skattebo led a formerly struggling Arizona State program to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff appearance last season with a record-setting season at running back. And Huard would like to see the Sun Devils standout in a Seattle Seahawks uniform this fall.
During his latest Seahawks draft profile on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, Huard made the case Wednesday for Skattebo to land in Seattle in the upcoming NFL Draft.
“His instincts all really are off the charts,” Huard said. “And that’s why to me, he’s a viable candidate.”
Program elevator
Skattebo shattered the Arizona State record books while spearheading a turnaround that saw the Sun Devils go from back-to-back three wins seasons to 11 wins and a first-ever College Football Playoff appearance.
He finished second in FBS with 1,711 rushing yards and ran for 21 TDs (both program records), and added another 605 receiving for 2,316 yards from scrimmage. His efforts earned him a fifth-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting.
He’s ranked third among running back prospects by Pro Football Focus and sixth by ESPN.
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Prior to arriving at Arizona State in 2023, Skattebo spent two seasons at Sacramento State in the Big Sky Conference. He helped the Hornets secure back-to-back league titles and was named the league’s offensive player of the year in 2022.
“He was different at (Sacramento) State for two years,” Huard said. “… And then to see it at ASU, to see it in the Big 12, to see it in the College Football Playoff, to see what he did to elevate the entirety of that program – those are guys I want on my NFL team.
“I don’t want role players. I don’t want bit players. I don’t want, ‘I gotta project this player.’ I want somebody that’s done it at the highest level and elevated everybody around him.
How he fits with Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks already have a solid stable of running backs with Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh all in the fold heading into next season. Both Walker and Charbonnet are recent second-round picks, too.
But Huard sees Skattebo being able to fit on offense as more than just a running back. He thinks he could fill the role of fullback that will be featured more often in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s offense.
“When I talk to folks around there and people in this system and they say for a fullback, you know what we’re looking for? We’re looking for a guy like Olandis Gary,” Huard said. “Somebody that was a college tailback who knows how to read the game, who sees things before they happen, and that’s Cam Skattebo.”
Skattebo showed off some of the physicality needed to play fullback last season at Arizona State. He was second in FBS with 103 missed tackles forced and third with 1,202 yards after contact. And at 5 foot 9 and 219 pounds, Skattebo posseses a stout frame.
“There was not a more physical running back in all of college football last year,” Huard said. “… On top of that, and this also is where he is intriguing on special teams, where he’s intriguing like Kyle Juszczyk has been in his prime in San Francisco, he is a tremendous catcher of the football.”
A role at fullback could help make Skattebo carry value in the NFL. The one trait he’s lacking for a running back is speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds at Arizona State’s pro day, which would have ranked behind all 24 running backs who ran the 40 at the NFL combine.
“He doesn’t run 4.45,” Huard said. “He jumps 39 1/2 inches, so his power and explosive fiber is off the chart, but he ran 4.65 at his pro day. … And because of it, he won’t be a first- or second-round pick. If he’s in the third round, make him a Seattle Seahawk.”
Hear the full conversation at this link or in the audio player near the top of this story. Listen to Brock and Salk weekdays from 6-10 a.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.
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