Cam Skattebo is Nick Saban's favorite college football player

Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo is Nick Saban’s favorite college football player.

Saban, who notched a 297-71-1 record in 28 seasons as a college football coach, made this proclamation on national television Saturday morning just a few hours before ASU and Arizona played the annual Territorial Cup game in Tucson.

“You know, that Cam Skattebo guy, that’s got to be my favorite player in college football,” Saban said during ESPN’s College GameDay. “This guy, he’s rugged, tough. I mean, I just love a great competitor. He’s all that.”

Skattebo will enter Saturday’s game with 1,221 yards rushing on 226 carries and 14 rushing touchdowns. He has also caught 34 passes for 460 yards and two touchdowns. He ranks No. 2 in the nation in all-purpose yards.

Nick Saban ???? #Heism4n #ForksUp /// #ActivateTheValley pic.twitter.com/ByKDWFOisT

— Sun Devil Football (@ASUFootball) November 30, 2024

However, Skattebo was not named one of the three finalists for the 2024 Doak Walker award, given to the year’s best running back. The finalists are Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) and Kaleb Johnson (Iowa).

“This is one of the best running back years that I’ve been a part of,” ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham said during an appearance on Bickley & Marotta this week. “Even in our conference, let alone nationally. But I definitely feel like Cam is a part of that group and Cam is one of the best backs in the nation. I don’t think there is any doubt about that.”

After not appearing in ESPN’s Heisman Trophy Watch midseason poll, Skattebo now ranks fifth.

Per the latest poll: “The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder plays like a battering ram, making him one of the hardest players to bring down in college football.”