Running Back Recruits

[Gladiator Cat]

Wildcat Nation,

can someone tell me how many running backs we're after this year and how many will we take overall in the next class. You can't have to many studs at that position.

Gladiator cat

[PerpEph]

According to Scout.com, here's who we are after this year:

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=106&p=9&c=4&yr=2006&pid=11

and here's a list from Rivals.com of all the players we have offered for this upcoming year.

http://arizona.rivals.com/OFFERLIST.ASP?SID=974&Sport=1&Year=2006&School=4

[Beezy44]

Any chance we get C.J. Gable? I see that USC is tops of his list, I don't see a 5 star choosing U of A over USC just yet. Anyone have any info on his recruitment?

[PerpEph]

I don't know what our approximate odds are, but it appears that UCLA and USC are his two favorites at this point.

We are one of his 5 official visits though.

I'm not too worried about the RB position. I think over the next couple of years one of the three guys we have is going to step up. Watch out for X. Smith. He could be a real sleeper and an impact player. And if Longbons gets healthy, and stays healthy, he could be a real good one.

I haven't completely given up on Henry either.

[HiCat]

"I'm not too worried about the RB position. I think over the next couple of years one of the three guys we have is going to step up. Watch out for X. Smith. He could be a real sleeper and an impact player. And if Longbons gets healthy, and stays healthy, he could be a real good one."

Totally agree. Looks like the Cats have a couple on the team now and either one or both could be big time RB's when they get their chance. But if a 5 star guy wanted to come to Arizona, come on down and join the party.

[AZfootball18]

I agree with you Perp...The runningback position is the least we have to worry about. Its in good hands with the RBs we got right now. We need some more depth in other postions...although getting a talented RB like Derke Robinson is always great.

[azpatnca]

as far as I know neither longbons nor smith played a second of game time this year. Are they redshirts? Can you do it retro-actively? "Oops, they never played, um, we'll take four more years of them, thanks NCAA."

[biz cat]

I really hope Chris Henry gets his head in the game. That guy is a monster, and we'll be hurting if we don't get him in the game somehow. The two youngsters will each have a year in the system, but game time experience can't be replaced (although Tui is doin a pretty good job proving that comment false). Either way, I think the offensive line only gets better from here, and that will step up any running back's game automatically.

[biz cat]

as far as I know neither longbons nor smith played a second of game time this year. Are they redshirts? Can you do it retro-actively? "Oops, they never played, um, we'll take four more years of them, thanks NCAA."


Yes they're both redshirts.

[azpatnca]

oh good!

[wsugolfer]

is anyone else impressed with the depth that we are recruiting? we are looking good for years to come

[PerpEph]

I'm impressed so far.

There is no question that there are some talented football players on this team. We will continue to recruit well, I think, especially if we can close out this season with 4 straight wins.

Right now we need help on the D-line and we need some of our O-line guys to develop. I like where we are with Linebackers, corners, running backs, safetys (although another solid JC guy like Johnson would help offset the loss of Brooks).

Brad Wood has been great this season, but I would like to see us land a stud TE. Also, we could use another big time wide receiver. Hopefully Jamere Holland or Terrell Reese.

And a high quality back up to Tui is essential. Hopefully we can get Lyon. At this point I can't imagine Tui not starting the rest of his career (unless there is some sort of injury). If not this year, then a top 5 QB recruit in 2007, who can redshirt that year and take over as a RS Sophomore in 2009 after Tui leaves.

[AZfootball18]

We really need a TE and a good QB for some depth....Also some big time D-lineman

[biz cat]

We really need a TE and a good QB for some depth....Also some big time D-lineman

I agree with the TE part especially. A great TE is hard to come by, and they can help in so many ways. I've been pretty happy with our tight end production this year though.

[AZfootball18]

Wood and McCall will be seniors next year I believe....And I'm not too sure how our other TE's will be. We do have Cody Anderson who is a big talented TE coming in.

[illinifan]

I was glad to see Chris Henry break off that 20 yard run the other night. He has the tools and speed it takes. Needs to put the fumbles behind him, work hard in practice, and off season and he could be better than Bell. He tends to run east-west a bit too much in my opinion.

Did anyone see the block he put on the UCLA DT? He lifted the guy right off the ground! His physical presence and speed could have some DB's squirming as he will flat out run past and/or over most of them out there. Just needs to get his confidence and keep up the hard work.

[at the beach]

Any 5 star RB is going to USC as Bush and White will be gone in the first round of the NFL. I still think a JC commitment will be coming after the Letter of Intents are signed for the Freshman. Need is a 205- 210 RB with power at 6' 2" who can dominate the interior line. Depends upon how many Coach C signs for RB's in California.

[Footballjunkie]

What is the rule on how much a football players can play if he wants to take a RS year.

Chris Henry hasn't been getting much PT this year to the point where maybe he just should have redshirted. Can Chris Henry take this as his RS year or has he played too much? I remember that his first year he was given a "Medical Redshirt" which, I think, would enable him to also have a Regular RS year. Am I too far off the marke here? Is anyone familiar with the RS rules.

I remember Tangara in Basketball played some last year but the basketball coaches held him out of games because if he played a "certain amount" of time he could not redshirt. Are the RS rules the same for Basketball and Football?

[kylecollins]

I don't think you can play a down to get a RD. Medical RS are differnt, but i don't know how much of the season you can miss. I think you can take a medical RS after a RS, but i could be wrong. I think Marcus Smith has taken a RS before.

[RedZoner]

getting a RB recruit would be nice just in case. Here is my thought on the 3 we have:

Henry - Must step up, he hopefully gets alot of looks this week. Our season last year and a half have shown that if you fumble you lose.

Smith - Will be a stud, but like USC thunder and lightning would be nice to see him a part of.

Longbons - The hype is there and he has the talent, I worry however about him being injury prone.

Land a good three star recruit to come in a challange.

[at the beach]

I still think a JC transfer will be coming in to play. Will be a bruising back and not a speed guy on the outside. Also, the QB question for back up will have to be addressed. Who will want to come and sit on the bench.