Ladarius Skelton may not be a name you have heard to this point, but his star is just beginning to truly rise. In week eleven, Skelton’s Spartans suffered a double-digit loss to the Carolina Cobras. Ending 53-39 it may have looked on the surface like there weren’t many bright spots, however, one star shined bright in this game.
Ladarius Skelton just displayed why the Spartans were so high on him this offseason, and proved that they had a plan in mind when they traded starting running back Kadarrius Campbell to the Cobras. Skelton stepped in, and in this game had a breakout performance. By the end of the game he collected 13 touches for 108 yards and 2 touchdowns, he also added a forced fumble.
This game came after a 9-touch 28-yard and 2-touchdown performance in a blowout victory over Idaho a week before. The first week after the trade, Colorado played Idaho as well, and that game was much closer. Idaho found ways to limit Skelton, he had 5 touches for 22 yards, adding 2 tackles. Since the trade of Campbell on April 30th, Skelton has 27 touches for 158 yards, 4 touchdowns, 3 tackles, and 1 forced fumble.
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Versatility Creates More Value
Skelton is a unique player who can play multiple positions including quarterback, running back, wide receiver, kick returner, as well as defense and kick coverage units. The 6’0 220 pound athlete is one of those rare football players who can pick up and play any position given enough time. This season for Colorado he has done a little bit of everything after beginning the season listed as a quarterback.
The former JUCO product began his college career at Coffeyville Community College as a redshirt freshman before transferring to Fullerton College his career would ultimately end at Southern University. During his time at Fullerton, he led an undefeated season where his offense produced 11 games with 40 or more points, topping 60 points four times. Skelton split time with two other quarterbacks and all three players finished with 1,000 or more passing yards. Skelton finished the season second on the team in completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns. Of the three main quarterbacks, he threw the least interceptions.
Skelton went on to lead the team in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, finishing second in carries. He also punted twice for 66 yards. He would finish the season completing 56.2% of his passes for 2,213 total yards of offense, 27 total touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and 2 fumbles lost. This showed the potential Skelton had as an athlete.
Southern University Stand Out
Upon his arrival at Southern, he did not immediately start, but he would take over the starting job late in his first season with the team. His best season came in 2019, Playing in 13 total games. He completed 61% of his 251 pass attempts for 1,642 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He added 189 carries for 870 yards and 14 touchdowns.
By his third season at Southern University, in 2020 he had started to lose his grip on the starting quarterback position. In 2021 Glendon McDaniel took over as the starting quarterback. This is when Skelton’s jack of all trades path truly began. He began to see time at other positions getting his first experience catching passes and returning kicks. He graduated in 2022 with:
628 pass attempts
361 completions
4,672 yards
39 touchdowns
22 interceptions
430 carries
3,118 yards
48 rushing touchdowns
2 receptions for 19 yards
7 kick returns for 177 yards
2 punts for 66 yards
3 tackles
Combine/Pro Day Stats
Skelton was invited to the NFL Combine and performed at a pro day. During these two events, he produced personal bests of 1.71 10-yard split, 4.95 40-yard dash, 7.57 3-cone drill, 4.47 20-yard shuttle, 9 ft 8 in broad jump, 28 inch vertical, and 11 reps in the bench press. His speed-related numbers were somewhat underwhelming given the production he had in college.
Measuring in at 226 pounds, Skelton would work out as a running back during the HBCU Legacy Bowl. Embracing the challenge of playing a position he had not played in college, and adding to his resume in an effort to find NFL interest. Ultimately, he was not brought in by an NFL, USFL, or CFL team in 2022 and ended up signing with the Green Bay Blizzard of the Indoor Football League.
Rookie Season in the IFL
Ladarius Skelton signed with the Green Bay Blizzard in 2022 as one of multiple backup options at quarterback that could play other positions. He would see more time as a running back, and a kick returner than he did as a quarterback for Green Bay. Suiting up in 5 games, he had 7 carries for 33 yards and 3 touchdowns, completed both of his pass attempts for 7 yards, and added 12 kick returns for 182 yards and 1 touchdown averaging 44.4 yards per game as a rotational player.
He, unfortunately, sat out the 2023 season due to some personal issues, but returned in 2024, this time with the Colorado Spartans following his former special teams coach from Green Bay to Colorado. Now it appears Skelton is the workhorse back to finish out the 2024 season for the Spartans. Skelton has proven he could be a very valuable asset to teams looking for a depth piece at running back. Not only could he come in and immediately add depth there, but he provides the upside to contribute on special teams, in several ways as well, and even serve as an emergency quarterback/gadget player. Could Skelton finally find his way outdoors with a strong finish to the 2024 season as the bell cow running back for the Spartans?
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Great Football Player and Even Better Young Man!
Kevin Cox He definitely seems to be a nice person. Talked to me and my kid at the Cedar Rapids game.
@highlight