NFL Network’s Jeremiah: ASU’s Cam Skattebo is a ‘shrunk-down James Conner’ or a ‘Plinko chip’

It’s unclear where ASU star running back Cam Skattebo is going to land in the 2025 NFL Draft.

What is clear is NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah and others saw Arizona State’s postseason run, which surely did nothing but boost Skattebo’s draft stock.

“He’s a unique player,” Jeremiah said during his annual draft conference call on Thursday. “Just when you watch him — obviously the incredible run that he went on, but I was looking at my notes on him when I was putting this stuff in last night from my notebook. He just chooses violence. I don’t know if I have ever seen a more aggressive runner who just seeks out contact and who can absorb contact.

“When I was looking for a comp for him, my first thought was, ‘OK, he is like a shrunk-down James Conner.’ More than anything, he reminds me of a Plinko chip from The Price is Right bouncing off everything and everybody.”

ASU’s offensive catalyst went off last year behind 1,711 yards for 21 touchdowns on 293 carries. He showed off his abilities as a pass catcher, too, with 45 receptions for 605 yards and three touchdowns.

babe wake up Cam Skattebo just broke five tackles on a 47-yard rush 😤#Big12FB | 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/HA759U7gpK

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 7, 2024

He was the only player in the nation with 1,000+ rushing yards and 400+ receiving yards.

For his efforts, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and garnered three first-place votes.

As for Jeremiah’s biggest question mark on Skattebo?

“We know obviously the vision, the balance, the toughness. The only question is going to be the top speed,” Jeremiah said. “If he has a chance, I think to me he looked like he would probably be a low (4.6-second 40-yard dash) guy.”

Skattebo was ranked as the fourth-best college football player this past season by Pro Football Focus earlier this month.

Despite PFF’s rating, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. listed Skattebo as the eighth best running back on his draft big board.

No matter the ranking, Skattebo will look to continue to prove doubters wrong.

“Nobody respects the fact that I’m the best running back in the country,” Skattebo told reporters after the Big 12 Championship. “I’m going to stand on that. If people want to disrespect that, I’m going to keep going and proving people wrong.”

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