The New York Giants were the last team Cam Skattebo expected to draft him in the 2025 NFL Draft. Although he had a top-30 visit with the team, he arrived late and assumed he had blown his chance, not expecting them to take a chance on talent alone.
Instead, Skattebo anticipated being selected five spots earlier by an NFC West team his family had supported for years. But when that didn’t happen and the Giants took him at No. 105 overall, Skattebo revealed that hris entire family’s loyalties quickly shifted to New York.
“We’re Burning All Our 49ers Gear” — Cam Skattebo on Becoming a Giant
Skattebo walked into the New York Giants locker room with confidence. The former Arizona State standout had every reason to feel proud, coming off a breakout season that included a Big 12 Championship and All-American honors. But in the NFL, college accolades quickly fade because what matters now is how you perform at the next level.
The speed, intensity, and physicality of the pros are on a completely different scale. And behind the scenes, especially for players and their families, fandom can sometimes create an interesting conflict.
For Skattebo, that shift happened the moment the Giants selected him instead of his lifelong favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. Not only did he embrace the change, but so did his entire family, swapping red and gold for Giants blue.
“It was probably a week leading up to the draft,” Skattebo said when asked about the 49ers drafting him. “It was like this might become real, you know? This might become real. Then we get we get a text saying they took a safety in the 100th pick.”
“I thought I was going late third, and they were really the only team in the late third that had a chance to grab me. Then they didn’t pick me. So, I was like, my brother was like, we’re burning all of our 49ers gear. You know, we’re Giants fans now. So, after I got drafted, I mean, he literally took out all of his 49er stuff out of his house and replaced it all… So, we’ve been we’ve been 49ers through and through.”
The 49ers were in search of a running back, evident by the fact that they selected Jordan James in the fifth round. However, San Francisco took Nick Martin in the late third round before selecting nickelback Upton Stout at No. 100 pick.
The 49ers were also picking at No. 113 overall, and may very well have used it on Skattebo. But the Giants selected him before that, so the 49ers took defensive tackle C.J. West.
Skattebo also revealed during the podcast that he grew up hating on the Giants’ QB Russell Wilson when the veteran played for the Seattle Seahawks, who are the 49ers’ division rivals.
“He’s pretty good,” Skattebo says now. “It was more hatred of the team than towards him.”
Cam Skatebo’s Pre-Draft Scouting Report
Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, PFSN Analyst Ian Cummings had this to say about Skatebo in his pre-draft scouting report:
“A star of the Sun Devils’ CFB Playoff run in 2024, Cameron Skattebo managed to shove his way into the early-round 2025 NFL Draft RB conversation, much like he shoves past first- and second-level defenders with brawling, prejudiced physicality.
CAM SKATTEBO BREAKS FREE 😤
Tough run from No. 4 💪 pic.twitter.com/s63S4D8tvT
— ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025
“At 5’9 1/2″ and almost 220 pounds, Skattebo is one of the most rocked-up runners in the 2025 NFL Draft, and his 39.5″ vertical and 10’3″ broad jump showcase the explosive capacity he still has at that size. He’s a rare specimen with special contact, balance, and grit.
“As a runner, Skattebo bears some similarity to former Carolina Panthers’ Pro Bowler Jonathan Stewart — except that Skattebo has a lot more potential out of the backfield as a receiver. Combining all this with his stellar vision and spatial IQ between the tackles, Skattebo may go on to be one of the best value buys in the 2025 class.”
Where Did Cameron Skattebo Rank Among 2025’s RB Prospects?
Here were the top 10 RB rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Cummings:
10. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
9. Devin Neal, Kansas
8. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
7. Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
6. Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
5. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Skattebo’s versatility and vision propelled the Arizona State Sun Devils to the Big 12 Championship Game under Kenny Dillingham. A powerful runner who breaks tackles and excels in tight lanes, Skattebo solidified himself as a top prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft.
“The 49ers were in search of a running back, evident by the fact that they selected Jordan Watkins in the fifth round.”
This statement is painful. How does Jordan Watkins (a wide receiver) show they are in search of a running back?
Sorry, that should have read Jordan James, not Jordan Watkins.
6th ranked runner? That’s crazy.