“It’s official!!! I found home!!! #ForksUp 🔱 can’t wait to get to work!!!! It just feels right🤝🏽”

14 months ago, the rising star, Cam Skattebo, from Sacramento State University entered the college transfer portal to prove the programs that overlooked him just what he was made of. Soon, he found himself on the grounds of BIG12 school in Arizona State. And who knew, he would find home right there. Back to the present, he recently revealed his current feelings for the program that has pushed him to the victory lane of college football as he prepares to step into the professional world where he is already a person of interest. Unfortunately, there might be one hurdle that could stand in his way.

The story begins back on July 31, 2023, after a brutal practice under the Arizona sun. The Sun Devils were hitching rides on golf carts, used as a ferry in the campus, back to the locker room. In the back of the golf cart were offensive lineman Mattheos Katergaris and another teammate when Skattebo, according to the lawsuit, decided to hop on. Not just, actually. The lawsuit states that Cam “jumped up and down on the rear bench as the golf cart traveled a considerable distance. Subsequently, the rear bench of the golf cart structurally failed.” The complaint alleges Skattebo’s jumping broke the bench, and with one of the coaches, a defendant in the lawsuit, “failed to control the golf cart vehicle, causing an accident that led to the failure of the rear bench and Mr. Katergaris being ejected from the cart.” The paperwork also cited Cam’s actions as “the actual and proximate cause” that resulted in serious injuries requiring months of medical attention.

Wait, there’s more!

While Katergaris never played for ASU, he isn’t someone to let go of the accident as bad luck. In fact, the former walk-on sued the school and the Arizona Board of Regents for negligence, demanding at least $300,000 in damages just after two months of the incident in Maricopa County Superior Court on May 30. Post that, neither Mattheos’ attorneys, Ryan Sandstrom and Neil Udulutch of Copper Canyon Law, nor the school answered about the pending litigation case. Developing the case, on Feb 11, the Board of Regents’ answer while declining most of Katergaris’ complaint “admits it has reason to believe Defendant Skattebo boarded the back of the golf cart while two other players were sitting on the rear section” and “admits that the rear bench of the golf cart broke.” The incident happened on the day or around the day after the players were informed about fair usage of the golf carts, with the capacity not exceeding 600 pounds or two people. Hence, Cam, weighing at 215 pounds, not only sat in the cart but also jumped, potentially bringing his name higher in the discussion. However,

The timing of the lawsuit couldn’t be worse for the RB as he prepared to show scouts why he’s a certified beast on the field as the legal mess could put his draft stock in jeopardy. Nevertheless, he is all in for ASU as he recently explained how his feelings for the Big 12 program has not changed over the last 2 seasons.

Talking about his decision to enter the transfer portal in 2022 and joining the Sun Devils, he recently said, “Going to Arizona State was the best decision of my life. They set me up for success and put me where I am now.” And with a season like the one he just had, that future is looking pretty damn bright—legal troubles or not.

Let’s be real: Skattebo wasn’t just good in 2024; the ASU all-rounder was a flat-out problem for defenses. The man was literally steamrolling linebackers, catching passes like a wideout, and even showing off an arm that had some quarterbacks jealous. On the ground, he was untouchable—1,711 rushing yards on 293 carries, breaking ASU’s single-season record and racking up 21 touchdowns along the way. A huge contrast from his first year with the Sun Devils. And for those thinking he’s just a bruiser? Think again. With 45 recs for 605 yards and three more TDs, he proved he’s got hands too.

And then there was the Mississippi State game. Skattebo went full beast mode, torching their defense for 262 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown that put the game to bed. That performance alone had NFL scouts drooling, but there was one other matchup where he brought the spotlight to himself.

The Peach Bowl performance that put him on the map

If the Mississippi State game was his coming-out party, the Peach Bowl against Texas in January was his coronation. ASU may have taken the 39-31 L in double overtime by not causing an upset, but Skattebo? He walked away with Offensive MVP honors after posting 284 total yards—143 rushing, 99 receiving, and even a 42-yard touchdown pass that had fans doing double takes.

At one point, ASU was trailing 24-8 in the fourth quarter. And Skattebo basically said, ‘Nah, we’re not going out like that.’ He threw a bomb for a touchdown, punched in a rushing TD, and even converted a two-point play to force overtime. If that’s not carrying a team on your back, what is? By the time the dust settled, he had put up 284 total yards. Scouts took notice. The league took notice. Skattebo wasn’t just playing football—he was making a damn statement.

The lawsuit is definitely a distraction, but is it enough to hurt his draft stock? Not surely. NFL teams care about talent, and Skattebo’s got it in spades. He dropped 13-14 pounds in the offseason, got faster—hitting speeds of 21 mph—and still kept that disruptive playstyle. Scouts and NFL legends, like Terrell Owens, are already throwing around Marshawn Lynch comparisons, and if you’ve watched Skattebo play, you know that’s not just hype.

Projected as a potential 147th draftee in second or third-round pick. Cam Skattebo is in a prime position to land on a team that needs a back who can do it all. And let’s be real—when he gets his shot, he’s going to run through defenders like they owe him money. Lawsuit or not, Cam Skattebo is a name you’re going to hear a lot in the coming months. Whether it’s defenders, doubters, or legal drama, Skattebo isn’t the type to back down.

So, as the NFL Combine approaches, one question remains. Who’s ready to take a chance on one of the most electrifying running backs in the draft? Because one thing’s for sure—Cam Skattebo is ready for the league. The only thing standing between him and the NFL is a matter of time, and yes, that $300K lawsuit.