Former ASU running back Cam Skattebo is entering the 2025 NFL Draft next month and his former coaches believe he has much to offer and learn. (Photo by Spencer Barnes/Cronkite News)
TEMPE – Following the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in early March, Hines Ward, one of the best to ever play the game at his position, spoke with Cam Skattebo and told the Arizona State running back to make the most of the opportunity and “play with a chip on your shoulder,” similar to starting over again.
Ward has experience with the NFL Combine and draft. In 1998, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a third-round draft pick out of the University of Georgia. He went on to win two Super Bowls with the Steelers as a wide receiver and was the 2006 Super Bowl MVP.
Now ASU’s wide receivers coach, Ward can understand the “nerve-wracking” feelings prospective players like Skattebo have in the weeks leading to the 2025 NFL Draft, which will be held this year at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, April 24-26.
“I can really empathize with all the guys, the anxiety, the anticipation and having to run a 40 (yard dash),” Ward said. “You still got to do your test days and things like that.”
At the combine in Indianapolis, Skattebo made news at the week-long showcase when he posted the second-best vertical jump among running backs, 39.5 inches. However, he did not participate in the 40-yard dash.
Ward explained how the combine has changed since 1998.
Arizona State running back coach Shaun Aguano believes Cam Skattebo has the attributes needed to succeed in the NFL. (File photo by Susan Wong/Cronkite News)
“More media attention, everybody is all about the 40 time, right?” Ward said. “I don’t even know what my 40 time was, but I know I played 14 years in the league. So I just told Skat, go out there, whatever you got to do, of course you got to get healthy, but he did phenomenal.”
Skattebo had a record-breaking year with the Sun Devils and brought national attention to the Big 12 champions, particularly during their college playoff run. The Sun Devils made it to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Despite the overtime loss to Texas, Skattebo had an impressive game with 284 total yards of total offense, made up by 143 rushing, 99 receiving and 42 yards passing.
For the 2024 season, Skattebo had 1,586 rushing yards and 506 receiving yards. He also matched ASU records with 22 touchdowns and 19 rushing touchdowns.
Entering the NFL Draft, Sports Illustrated projects Skattebo to be a third-round draft pick and Pro Football Network has Skattebo going at No. 94 overall, also in the third round.
Like Ward, running back coach Shaun Aguano shared that it is important for players who are turning professional, like Skattebo, to remember they are now back to being a rookie again rather than a starter.
“Especially at the running back position, are you an all-around back? Can you stay on the field in third downs and make those crucial plays?” Aguano said. “Are you sustainable in being there to be a special teams guy? Can you play all of those positions? Can you battle mentally and be prepared to not be the guy now and learn from the veterans there?”
Aguano believes Skattebo has all those attributes but has plenty to learn in the coming years.
ASU defensive line coach Diron Reynolds discussed the “pro mentality” needed for players to transition to the NFL, including eating right and showing up on time.
Reynolds has experience coaching NFL-bound players. Reynolds was the defensive line coach at Stanford (2016-2022), where he coached defensive tackle Solomon Thomas.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Thomas as the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. In March, Thomas signed with the Dallas Cowboys after a three-year stint with the New York Jets.
Arizona State wide receiver coach Hines Ward says he can understand the ‘nerves’ former running back Cam Skattebo has for the 2025 NFL Draft. (Photo by Brendon Pricco/Cronkite News)
Reynolds said it was incredible to see Thomas’ rise and the effort he put into reaching his dream.
“Midseason, (Thomas) kind of hit his stride when I was there at Stanford and he just took off,” Reynolds said. “He became a different animal, but the attention to detail, we see guys studying and taking notes and it’s not just the physical aspect of it.”
Reynolds said Thomas “conquered” the mental aspect of the game, which improved his physical game.
Reynolds said it was gratifying to see the work Thomas put in to go pro. He says there is no doubt that NFL teams are looking for players who pay attention to detail.
As for Skattebo, Ward thinks the running back is going to make one team extremely happy, and Ward hopes that team could be the Steelers.
“When you talk about Cam Skattebo, you talk about grit,” Ward said. “Talking about grit, at Pittsburgh, that’s what we’re known for … that’s why I’m kind of connected to Skat cause he has that grittingness about him.”
