Beyond Nick and Orlando, watch for two more names:
Redshirt junior Zach Green - He is another powerful runner who will get his fair share of carries, especially with Jonathan Haden’s transfer.
True freshman J.J. Taylor – If he doesn’t redshirt, expect him to see the field. He is coming off a very productive high school career. Apparently his size scared away some bigger name programs but OKG right?
Running Backs on the roster (yards)
Nick Wilson (2,104)
Orlando Bradford (208)
Zach Green (62)
Branden Leon (0)
Richie Estrada (0)
Newcomers
JJ Taylor
Hard to believe it won't be Wilson, Bradford, and then Taylor or Green depending on how Taylor adapts to college. I think this is the least depth and experience we have had at running back since Coach Rod arrived.
Does anyone know what happened to Jarret Mitchell? I was hoping he would have a chance to see the field this year. Also, Khaylub Thompson, #32, got some carries in the spring practice, but I don't see him on the roster now.
So our thinness at running back made me go back to see what has happened to this position under Coach Rod.
Freshman Running backs on the roster (Bold names still on the team):
2012
None
2013
Pierre Cormier - retired due to concussions Zach Green
Myles Smith (walk-on) - not on the roster in 2014
2014
Jonathan Haden - Transfer after 2015
Ty Cruz (walk-on) - not on the roster in 2015 Nick Wilson
Omar Boyd (walk-on) - not on the roster in 2015
Jocquez Kalili (walk-on) - no on the roster in 2015
Jonah Huff (walk-on) - not on the roster in 2015
2015 Orlando Bradford
Weston Barlow (walk-on) - no longer on the roster Branden Leon (walk-on)
Jarrett Mitchell (walk-on) - no longer on the roster
It appears to me we have under recruited this position. Our program should be a magnet for quality running backs, but in the 5th year of this staff we are too thin and lack experience.
We are an injury to Bradford or Wilson away from being in big trouble at running back.
Some of the under recruitment and lack of players at the position have to do with the scheme. It's difficult to learn how to take fakes or take the ball after the play has somewhat developed. That's different than a designed run and is predicated upon the QB reading the ends. It's not the most run free system and takes quite sometime to get used to.
No way JJ redshirts. Let the kid field punts, work him into a slot position and if we for whatever reason require his services at the back position, will be in great shape there too.
This kid was named the Los Angeles Times player of the year and I expect a huge Fall camp for this young man. Can't wait to see how Rich Rod utilizes his special skill set!
JJ Taylor is one of my favorite guys and I was so happy when he chose to be a Wildcat. He has huge drive and determination so I would never rule him out in any situation. The odds are against him seeing any action this season but you never know.
Last edited by chiefzona on Mon Jul 18, 2016 9:06 am, edited 1 time in total.
Wilson has a strained relationship with staff. He was not happy at all last season and will have a chip on his shoulder that could get him either ahead or behind. He's frustrated. He can also get hurt in the blink of an eye. I think RR will use a few RBs and Bradford will see a lot of action. Green could as well. Taylor might get used if he can handle the hits early in camp. A lot will gauge on his camp in whether RR uses him. I heard Leon might even see some daylight.
As for the third running back spot, that’s a big question mark. First, there’s sophomore walk-on Branden Leon, who received high praise this past spring from Rodriguez. I enjoyed watching him this spring and would like to think he has the edge as the third-down back for now.
And then there’s redshirt junior Zach Green. He’s had some conditioning issues throughout his career but finally seems to have things going in the right direction. Brandon Dawkins had good things to say about him this past spring.
Arizona came away with an absolute steal in the 2016 recruiting class, landing J.J. Taylor, the LA Times High School Running Back of the Year. He is an absolutely electrifying playmaker who is already being tested out in the return game by special teams coach Charlie Ragle.
1. Stanford
2. Oregon
3. Washington
4. USC
5. Arizona State
6. California
7. Washington State
8. Utah
9. UCLA
10. Arizona: The key here is Nick Wilson's health. After coming out gangbusters as a true freshman in 2014, Wilson's 2015 was hampered by injury. If the junior rediscovers the torrid trajectory that he entered college with, Arizona will be a productive rushing team again, especially since tank-like Orlando Bradford is a potentially nice complement to Wilson.
