Cam Skattabo becomes a lightning rod for the Sun Devils. In 2023, he had to play multiple roles in the team as the teams needed him to fill the injury void in several key positions. He mounted a decent first-year season with 164 carries for 783 yards and one touchdown. But that feat didn’t shine as bright as it is in 2024. The alternative man behind the injury-driven O line turned into the main man of the program within a year. But it’s just the beginning. He has to put a lot under his name in Tempe. The QB phenom isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, in case you’re curious about his NFL draft stock.

Skattebo ran the Sun Devils’ offense with grace, rushing for 1,398 yards and 17 touchdowns – including six from the past two marquee games. He rushed for 140 or more yards in six games, while a 262-yard performance against Mississippi State remains the highlight point of all. The 5-foot-11 and 215-pound’s exceptional strength, speed, and willpower made him stand apart in the 2025 Running Back class. But coach Dillingham’s harsh take made it a far-fetched dream for the 22-year-old.

”After the season, me and Coach Dillingham sat down and he told me straight up. He kept it real. He was like look, you’re not a Sunday guy, right? Now, if you think about it, entering the draft is not your best decision. He’s like, you got more work to put in. You got to become a better teammate, and you know, he just kept it real from the jump, and I noticed that. That’s why I ended up going to ASU. He’s tested me every day to keep pushing and work to be a Sunday guy,” the Arizona state sensation kept it clean on his potential NFL future when asked what made him stick to Tempe while the big leagues are reaching out with some big money.

You see, it’s the burning desire to be better every day, not just to hover around and search for a way to make more money. However, while the MVP of the Big 12 title game is respecting his coach’s vision and the utter need to work harder and be better, he isn’t playing an underdog at all. He knows his value and doesn’t hesitate to put it out there like it is.

Skattebo was a beast in his games against Iowa State. If you watch that game, you can rightfully plead, ‘Give that gut the Best RB of America tag right now as he put himself on the map flawlessly, extensively. Following the banger, the ASU gem made it clear that he deserves more respect, and whenever and wherever he’s going to be planted in the NFL, he will bear fruit. Now, coming to Dillingham’s reality check part, we spot a bit of contradiction.

Kenny Dillingham sees Cam Skatteboa as a potential NFL hit

At the start of the season, the coach saw it as a legitimate 2025 NFL draft. After a convincing game against Wyoming in the season opener, Dillingham said Skattebo entered the Sun Devils’ season as a proper draft fit. In contrast to what the QB has said, the ASU coach also deemed him a Sunday player since the last season.

”That’s a guy. He had a great year last year, but he didn’t even — I mean, he’s a different player. This Cam has the potential to play on Sundays. Last year’s Cam did not. That’s how drastic of a change he made, his decision he wanted to achieve being a Sunday player,” Dillingham told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta in late August.

The coach also patted on his back, appreciating how much effort he had put into transforming his body to showcase a better athletic prowess.

Keeping the contradiction part aside, we better believe the coach just took a critical approach to chisel out the best in Cam while he himself knows that the kid is capable of smashing the Sundays.