Breaking Down the Running Backs for Arizona Football

As a new era of Arizona Football is set to finish week 2 of spring practice on Saturday, the Running Backs Room stands out as one of the strongest groups so far.

Here is a look one by one at each Running Back. Note: This article will cover the Spring Practice Roster and the players that are physically participating in Spring Practice. Some players have not physically arrived in Tucson yet.

Michael Wiley 

Arizona Wildcats

Year:  Sophomore
Height / Weight:  5’11” / 205
Jersey Number:  #6
Hometown:  Houston, TX

2020 Stats/Notes: 

Games played:  5  (#2 behind Gary Brightwell)

Rushing: 31 Carries for 222 yards (7.2  avg. yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns
Long Run:  45

Receptions / Yds:  8 / 33

Fumbles:  0

Wiley’s best game came against a tough Colorado defense on December 5th, 2020. He had an impressive 7 carries for 122 yds.

2019 Stats/Notes:

Games Played: 12 (Split time with Bam Smith both behind Gary Brightwell)

Rushing: 31 Carries for 106 yds
Long Run: 17 yds

Receptions / Yds:  18 / 165
Long Reception:  34 yds

Wiley continues to gain muscle and bulk and is a sturdy hard runner, he will be a hard tackle for any team in the 2021 season. He is tough and can stiff arm and shrug off weak tackling attempts.  With the departure of Gary Brightwell to the NFL draft, Wiley finds himself as the longest-tenured and most experienced Running Back on the team based on how long he has been wearing the Block A.

I expect Wiley to stay motivated and driven on the way to his best season yet as a Wildcat. With a full 12 game season ahead unlike 2020, I expect Wiley to more than double his carries and yards in 2021 and be a huge part of the Wildcats offense. Michael works hard in practice, loves being a football player, and is always striving to improve his craft.

Drake Anderson 

A newcomer to the Block A, Anderson transferred from Northwestern University out of the BIG 10 conference. He arrives in Tucson on a very promising note. He is a big-time addition to the Running Back Corps. Anderson is back in his home state and chose to play for the University down south and not the University to the north.

Year:  Sophomore
Height / Weight:  5’11” / 190
Jersey Number:  #8
Hometown:  Chandler, AZ

2020 Stats/Notes:

Games played:  7

Rushing: 62 Carries for 256 yards (4.1  yards per carry avg.) and 2 touchdowns
Long Run:  41

Receptions / Yds:  4 / 28

Fumbles:  0

Anderson was on the Doak Walker Award watch list for 2020, and his best game came against Maryland on October 24, 2020, rushing for 103 yards on only 10 carries.

2019 Stats/Notes:

Games Played: 12

Rushing: 154 Carries for 634 yards (team-high) 4.1 yards per carry avg. and 3 Touchdowns
Long Run: 31 yds

Receptions / Yds:  6 / 28

Anderson’s best game came against UNLV on September 14, 2019, rushing for 141 yards on 26 carries. He protects the football very well, boasting 0 fumbles to date in his career. Having watched him practice twice, he is one of the hardest-working players on the practice field regarding effort on each drill along with Isiah Rutherford, Cornerback, on the defensive side of the ball. He has good spin moves and footwork.

Darrius “Bam” Smith

**Opted out of the 2020 Covid Season

Year:  Sophomore

Height / Weight:  5’9″ / 176

Jersey Number:  #20

Hometown:  Houston, TX

2019 Stats/Notes:

Games Played: 9

Rushing: 34 Carries for 203 yards (6.0 yards per carry average) and 1 touchdown

Receptions / Yds:  12 / 181
Long Reception:  75 yds

2018 Stats/Notes:

In 2018, Bam played in 4 games, however spent a good part of the season on the injured list. In the four games played, he scored one touchdown and rushed for 98 yards on 23 carries. Bam is sneaky and fast out of the backfield, showing pop and sizzle, and runs low.

In some regards, he reminds me of JJ Taylor simply based on the running low to the ground style, not in body type. Having Bam back from his Covid Opt-Out is a big asset for the Cats. Anyone with the nickname Bam has to be tough.

Led by Running Backs Coach Scottie Graham, I believe these are the Top 3 Running Backs in the room. Arizona can establish a culture of a running the ball team by maximizing these three backs. There is potential for these Running Backs to start a “3 Headed Monster” culture and brand in Arizona.

Rotating these three regularly will keep the defenses guessing and will allow each man to catch a breath. Arizona has speed, agility, experience from Anderson, pop, sizzle, and toughness makes this the best position group at the present time in my humble opinion.

I can’t wait to see these backs play on Saturday nights, with each being Sophomores, Cats fans should be excited to see these three wearing the Block A for the next few years.

Jalen John

Year:  Freshman
Height / Weight:  5’11” / 218
Jersey Number:  #21
Hometown:  Portland, OR

John saw limited time in the shortened 2020 Covid season. However, when he did play he impressed me, specifically at Washington on November 21, 2020. He posted four carries for 30 yards and a 9-yard reception against the Huskies. John is the heaviest back at 218. That size could come in handy in the Red Zone. John will certainly get carries this season and could move up the depth chart.

Stevie Rocker Jr. 

Year:  Freshman
Height / Weight:  6’0″ / 192
Jersey Number:  #23
Hometown:  Tucson, AZ

A local kid from Canyon Del Oro High School, Stevie has pop and sizzle. Since leaving high school and coming to Arizona, it seems Stevie has gained weight and muscle. And after seeing him in person, it looks to me that he might weigh a bit more than his listed weight on paper.

Although a fine young man, I don’t see him stepping in and becoming the next Superstar local Tucsonan Ka’Deem Carey right away. He has to put in his time and develop behind more experienced backs first. It was evident that he works hard in practice as all of the Running Backs do.

James Bohls, incoming true Freshman is not on the practice roster nor have I seen him at practice. When he arrives in Tucson, expect him to join the Running Backs Room.

Sophomore, Nazar Bombata, 6’0″ and 214, has been used as a reserve Running Back. He has been a regular contributor on special teams. As always, Bear Down Arizona!