RIO LINDA, Calif. — A dream years in the making came true for Cam Skattebo on Saturday, as the New York Giants selected the former Rio Linda High School standout with the 105th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Before he became a national name at Arizona State and Sacramento State, Cam Skattebo was simply a young, fearless competitor on the fields of Northern California. From a young age, playing for Rio Linda’s Junior Knights youth football program, Skattebo stood out. Coaches quickly noticed his hard-nosed running style, natural balance, and sheer will to compete—traits that would define his career for years to come.
At Rio Linda High School, under head coach Jack Garceau, Skattebo’s potential exploded into record-breaking production. As a sophomore, even without pads or helmets during early spring practices, Garceau immediately saw something special. That fall, Skattebo rushed for 992 yards as a sophomore, already turning heads across the Sacramento area.
But it was his junior season in 2018 that truly cemented his legendary status at Rio Linda. Skattebo shattered expectations, rushing for a jaw-dropping 3,550 yards and scoring 42 touchdowns, leading the Knights to a CIF Division 5-AA State Championship. It was a season for the history books—and one that earned him the Sacramento Bee Offensive Player of the Year honors.
Despite his monstrous high school stats, Skattebo faced skepticism from major college programs. Schools like UCLA and USC came to Rio Linda to scout him but ultimately passed, questioning his size and speed. Skattebo, undeterred, took his talents to Sacramento State, where he proved all the doubters wrong—again.
After back-to-back standout seasons at Sac State, including winning Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, Skattebo transferred to Arizona State. There, he became one of the best running backs in the country, culminating in a First-Team AP All-American selection in 2024. That season, he rushed for 1,711 yards, scored 21 rushing touchdowns, and piled up 2,316 yards from scrimmage, leading ASU to a Big 12 Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff.
On draft day, Skattebo watched surrounded by family and friends from Chandler, Arizona. When his name was called, emotions poured out. He hugged his father Leo and reflected on the journey that started in the youth fields of Rio Linda.
“I’ve worked my whole life for this. It’s something I’ve prayed for,” Skattebo said after getting the call from the Giants. “From the time I was six years old, I’ve played the same way. Hard, physical football. That’s the Rio Linda way.”
The Giants were one of the teams that had shown serious interest in Skattebo leading up to the draft. When he visited New York for pre-draft meetings, he said he felt an immediate connection with the coaching staff.
“They made me feel wanted,” he said. “I loved being there. I’m glad I’m going to be a Giant.”
Standing 5’9 ½” and 219 pounds, Skattebo impressed NFL scouts with his toughness, balance, and ability to force missed tackles—he forced 102 missed tackles on runs last season, the second most in the FBS. While his 40-yard dash time of 4.65 seconds isn’t elite by NFL standards, his contact balance, vision, and relentless drive make him a perfect fit for the Giants’ physical rushing attack.
Coach Jack Garceau, who has watched every step of Skattebo’s journey, wasn’t surprised at all. Now, the once-overlooked kid from Rio Linda is heading to the biggest stage in football—and he’s taking a piece of his hometown with him.
