"Christian McCaffrey is one": ASU sensation Cam Skattebo reveals taking inspiration from NFL stars after his Peach Bowl heroics

Arguably no player has gained more notoriety during the bowl season than Cam Skattebo. The Arizona State running back led the Sun Devils’ upset bid in the Peach Bowl against Texas with 242 total yards (143 on the ground) and two touchdowns. He also threw a 42-yard pass for a touchdown in the 39-31 defeat.

The senior’s physical rushing style wore the Longhorn defense out. When asked in the “Dan Patrick Show” on Thursday who he patterned his game after, Cam Skattebo said it was his own style, but he took elements from other players.

“There’s a ton of backs I take bits and pieces from. Obviously, Christian McCaffrey is one, doing something that hasn’t been done in a while, catching the ball, running the ball. Marshawn Lynch is obviously a big factor.

"Mark Ingram, I talk to him and now that I look at it more, I took a little bit of my game from him and the Le’Veon Bell was a big one too. Just me focusing on working out my patience and the way the slower you plate the game, the more you’ll see it,”, Cam Skattebo said.

At 5-11, 215 pounds, he is a slightly bigger version of McCaffrey. However, while the former Stanford Cardinal can run his power, his shiftiness was his main weapon. Skattebo is a more powerful runner, perhaps with a build more similar to Lynch.

After two years at Sacramento State, Skattebo transferred to Tempe in 2023. It was this year that he broke out with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield with 45 receptions for 605 yards and 3 scores. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting.

Where is Cam Skattebo projected to land in NFL Draft?

As a senior, Cam Skattebo will likely enter the 2025 NFL Draft. His Peach Bowl performance might push his draft stock up. However, he wasn’t regarded among the top five running backs in most draft experts’ boards.

ESPN's current 'best available' board has the ASU star as the ninth-ranked running back and the 97th-ranked prospect overall.

The 2025 running back draft class is headed by Ashton Jeanty of Boise State. Other running backs to watch in this year’s draft include Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), Nicholas Singleton (Penn State), and Kaleb Johnson (Iowa).

Skattebo's size is not prototypical for a physical NFL three-down running back, which could affect his draft stock. He did, however, show explosiveness and versatility this season, which could help him land a better spot in next year’s draft.

Draft projections could change in the following months as players go through the combine, pro days, and the scouting process.