Arizona Wildcats Football: Top 5 Questions Going Into 2015
By Ryan Reyes
Nov 28, 2014; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Nick Wilson (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 88th annual territorial cup at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats defeated the Sun Devils 42-35 to win the Pac-12 south title. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
5. Will Nick Wilson have another breakout season?
Nick Wilson played in 13 games for the Wildcats and 8 games starting at running back, according to arizonawildcats.com. His first start came in the second game this past season as Terris Jones-Grisby went down with an injury and he did not disappoint. Against UTSA, Wilson carried the ball 30 times and rushed for 174 yards and one touchdown, as ESPN’s Chantel Jennings reports.
After that game he became Rich Rods running back workhorse throughout the season. Wilson totaled 1,375 rushing yards on 236 carries with 16 touchdowns, which was the Pac-12’s fourth leading rusher. Averaging 5.8 yards per carry and 105.8 yards per game en route to setting Arizona’s freshman rushing record. Ranked fourth nationally among FBS freshman and No. 1 among league freshmen in total yards, according to ArizonaWildcats.com.
Wilson was sidelined due to injury, but is mentally and physically ready coming into the spring. He has not gotten much attention even with those numbers as those other players in the Pac-12. A sophomore slump is not on this young man’s mind as he has grown exponentially.
ESPN’s Chantel Jennings reported on Wilson’s pre-season comments: “I definitely feel older,” Wilson said. “I’m just more experienced and I know a lot more. That’s kind of weird to say even though I’m just about to be a sophomore.”
Maybe he will just become another Ka’Deem Carey. Who knows?
Next: 4. Is Anu Solomon going to be up for the Heisman?