The talk of the college football world much of the season was Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who nearly set an NCAA season record for rushing yards.
But after an epic four-game stretch, Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo has stolen the spotlight. Will the 5-foot-11, 215-pound senior surge up NFL Draft boards, too?
In a 39-31 loss in double overtime to Texas in the CFP quarterfinals on Wednesday, Skattebo posted 242 scrimmage yards and became the first player in 26 years to win the Peach Bowl offensive MVP on a losing team. He threw for a TD and rushed for two TDs.
Skattebo’s performance was no fluke. Over his final four games, he outshined Jeanty, who finished second to Colorado’s Travis Hunter in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Skattebo posted at least 150 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in each of Arizona State’s final four games of the season. Over that stretch, he amassed 794 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns while playing against three teams ranked inside the Associated Press’ top 20 (BYU, Iowa State and Texas).
Over Boise State’s final four games this season, Jeanty tallied 46 fewer scrimmage yards, nine fewer touchdowns and fumbled two more times than Skattebo (two of Jeanty’s three fumbles resulted in turnovers). He endured his worst game of the season when the lights shined the brightest, rushing for 104 yards, fumbling twice and failing to score during a 31-14 loss to Penn State in the CFP quarterfinals.
As Skattebo and Jeanty begin preparations for the draft, questions about who should be the first running back off the board are beginning to swirl.
ESPN’s Skubie Mageza recently chimed in on the debate, saying, “After [the Peach Bowl], I’m going to put him and Ashton Jeanty as 1A and 1B, and I’m not even going to argue with somebody if they say Cam Skattebo is their 1A.”
Mageza is far from alone in recent praise for Skattebo. Per Fox Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz, an anonymous NFL scout took note of the Arizona State back’s unique skillset.
Skattebo’s versatility — something Jeanty lacks — makes him a one-of-a-kind prospect.
Over his final two games in 2024, Skattebo posted 137 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. In 14 games this season, Jeanty tallied 138 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.
While he has captured national attention, Skattebo has yet to ascend media draft boards. CBS Sports lists him as the eighth-best running back and 135th-best player available in the 2025 NFL Draft, while Jeanty is listed as the best running back and 13th-best player available.
In late February in Indianapolis, Skattebo will get another chance to shine at the NFL Combine. If he can impress there, perhaps he’ll make a climb up draft boards.
