Arizona State RB Cam Skattebo emerged as one of the most explosive players in college football in 2024, transforming from a little-known offensive weapon into a top-five Heisman Trophy finisher.
Skattebo can go from star to legend by leading the Sun Devils to a Peach Bowl upset of Texas. Arizona State enters the game as the largest underdog of the four College Football Playoff quarterfinal games, but Skattebo and the rest of the Sun Devils’ offense looked like a juggernaut on their way to a Big 12 title.
As Skattebo plays the biggest game of his career, it’s important to know the most important details about him — including how to pronounce his name.
Here’s a guide to pronouncing Skattebo’s name and a look at his background.
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How do you pronounce Cam Skattebo’s name?
Skattebo’s last name is pronounced “SKAT-eh-boo.” While the end of the name looks like it should be pronounced “boh,” it’s actually pronounced as “boo.”
It’s not the most difficult name as far as college football players go, but it’s easy to get tripped up on that last syllable. Arizona State’s player profile for Skattebo emphasizes that the end of the name is “pronounced BOO.”
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Where is Cam Skattebo from?
Skattebo was born in Rio Linda, Calif. and played at Rio Linda High School. Details on Skattebo’s family history are limited, but his father has long lived in the Sacramento area and works in the pest control industry.
The powerful running back initially stayed in-state, starting his college career at FCS Sacramento State. While his coach, Troy Taylor, was hired by Stanford after the 2022 season, Skattebo went elsewhere in the Pac-12 and latched on with a newly hired Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State.
Dillingham found a way to unlock Skattebo’s full potential this season, as the senior racked up more than 2,000 scrimmage yards and forced himself into the Heisman conversation even if winning it never seemed realistic.
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Cam Skattebo stats
| Season | School | Games | Rush yards | YPC | Rec. yards | Total TD |
| 2021 | Sacramento State | 11 | 520 | 9.1 | 124 | 7 |
| 2022 | Sacramento State | 13 | 1,372 | 7.0 | 371 | 10 |
| 2023 | Arizona State | 12 | 783 | 4.8 | 286 | 10 |
| 2024 | Arizona State | 12 | 1,568 | 6.0 | 506 | 22 |
| Career | 48 | 4,243 | 6.2 | 1,287 | 49 |
Skattebo’s freshman season at Sacramento State was cancelled, but he got on the field in 2021 and took on a major role in 2022 with more than 1,700 scrimmage yards.
After transferring to Arizona State, Skattebo posted a quiet 783 yards on the ground as the top running back in a shaky Sun Devils offense. Just as he did in his second season at Sacramento State, Skattebo broke out in 2024. With 2,074 total yards and 22 touchdowns entering the College Football Playoff, the senior etched his name in Arizona State history.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS:
- SN 2024 All-America team
- Player of the Year: Travis Hunter
- Coach of the Year: Curt Cignetti