TEMPE, Ariz. — Cam Skattebo exhibits Newton’s second law of motion effectively every time he gets the ball. This law, simplified, asserts that an object’s acceleration is influenced by its mass and the force acting upon it. When a collision occurs, the impact is determined by both the mass involved and the force exerted — meaning that greater speed or larger mass leads to more significant collisions.
Skattebo, an Arizona State senior running back, possesses the necessary mass with his low center of gravity and solid tree-trunk legs. He also has an innate ability to quickly assess angles that maximize force. His speed is instinctive, augmented by a strong desire to create contact on the field.
“When a car gets T-boned, the person hit feels it more than the one who anticipated it,” Skattebo expressed. “So I prefer to deliver the hit rather than receive the pain myself.”
This predilection for initiating contact traces back to when he barrelled into his older brother Leo in their Northern California living room. Skattebo continued this trend at Rio Linda High School before moving on to two successful seasons at Sacramento State and eventually transferring to Arizona State in 2023.
In the desert, Skattebo has earned a reputation as a relentless force on the field, delivering punishing blows to anyone attempting to tackle him. He racked up 788 rushing yards last season while playing several roles, and this season, he has already accumulated 848 yards and 10 touchdowns over seven games. Notably, he ranks seventh in the FBS for rushing and receiving yards gained after contact, according to Sportradar.
“He is vicious and aggressive,” commented Arizona State running backs coach Shaun Aguano, who praised Skattebo’s running style. “His ability to maintain balance during contact is exceptional. He knows how to finish his runs effectively and has a positive lean when he runs.”
Skattebo’s father, Leo, instilled a sense of versatility in his sons from a young age, a skill that has greatly benefitted Cam throughout his career. During a season marked by injuries for Arizona State, Skattebo became a priceless asset, taking on multiple roles. Primarily a running back, he also played 50 snaps at quarterback, lined up at various receiver positions, and even contributed as a pooch punter — boasting an impressive average of 42.3 yards on eight punts, including three that exceeded 50 yards, and not allowing any returns.
“The greatest strength Cam possesses is his football intelligence,” Aguano added. “He has a deep understanding of everything—be it blocking schemes, protection strategies, or route running.”
While Skattebo is known for his power, he is also exceptionally agile when the situation calls for it. His impressive vision, combined with dancing-like footwork and balance, enables him to change directions deftly, often leaving defenders grasping at nothing but air.
One memorable run against Utah on October 11 showcased both his toughness and finesse. After taking a handoff, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior dodged a rushing defensive lineman and swiftly eluded another defender with a sharp cut. He powered through one tackler, shrugged off a glancing hit from another, and used his hand for balance. Skattebo concluded a breathtaking 50-yard touchdown run by stiff-arming a final defender before crossing into the end zone.
“That’s my goal — to never be tackled by a single player,” Skattebo declared confidently.
His self-described law of motion makes that seem almost impossible to achieve.