Arizona State tailback Cameron Skattebo steals show in spring showcase
Arizona State gave fans their informal introduction to coach Kenny Dillingham’s new team Saturday during the Sun Devils’ spring game. The 2023 class — Dillingham’s first at the helm of the program — brought 26 transfers and another 20 high school signees to Tempe.
There were big names who made their unofficial debuts inside Sun Devil Stadium on Saturday — not the least of which was quarterback Jaden Rashada — but it was a former Big Sky product who stole the show.
With several running backs unavailable, Cameron Skattebo got his opportunity to shoulder the load. He had 15- and 27-yard runs early in the day and capped off an 11-play drive later in the afternoon with a touchdown that sent him flipping down the sideline.
.@SunDevilGym might need to do some recruiting from @ASUFootball 👀 pic.twitter.com/r9Qi4nphKB
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 15, 2023
“I want to be an every-down back,” Skattebo said after the game. “I want to be on the field the whole time. I take a punishment every time I touch the football, so I give it to myself and they give it to me. It’s what I do. That’s how I run the football.”
The former Sacramento State back — and 2022 FCS All-American — has done nothing but show out during his football career.
Sacramento State was his only Division I scholarship offer coming out of Rio Linda High School, even in spite of a prolific career. He ran for 6,192 career rushing yards and 69 touchdowns throughout his high school career — including a junior campaign that saw him run for 3,550 yards and 42 touchdowns for a team that won a state championship.
After his first season of college ball was canceled by COVID, he earned a spot on the All-Big Sky Third Team when he ran for 520 yards and six touchdowns on only 57 carries. In 2022, he was the conference’s Player of the Year after running for 1,373 yards and seven scores. His 7 yards per carry ranked seventh among FCS players.
Skattebo has to contend with Cal transfer DeCarlos Brooks and sophomore Tevin White for the lead job, but he’s no stranger to working to earn his keep.
“I moved out here with nobody,” Skattebo said. “I came out here and took a risk on myself. We still haven’t played a real football game but today I showed a little bit of what I can do.”