After spending the first few weeks of his tenure retaining a majority of the Wildcats’ roster, Brent Brennan has his first official commitment as Arizona’s head coach. Former New Mexico running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has announced he is joining the Wildcats in Tucson.
Croskey-Merritt is entering his sixth season of college football, after spending four seasons at Alabama State, and most recently, one season at New Mexico. During his lone season as a Lobo, he rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns, and hauled in another 72 yards and touchdown through the air. His 1,190 rushing yards are the seventh most in UNM history, while his 17 rushing touchdowns and 18 total touchdowns ranked third and second all-time, respectively, in UMN history. The stellar season earned him Second Team Mountain West honors and an All-American Honorable Mention by College Football News.
In his four seasons at Alabama State, Croskey-Merritt appeared in 31 games for the Hornets, where he rushed for 1,164 yards and 13 touchdowns, as well as 335 yards and a touchdown through the air.
His commitment could not come at a better time for the Wildcats, whose running back room has been one of the most impacted by the coaching change. Croskey-Merritt will bring leadership and experience, as well as the skills, size, and size Arizona is looking for in a three-down back. He will join junior Rayshon “Speedy” Luke, who appears poised for a breakout season, as well as redshirt-freshman Brandon Johnson, and incoming freshmen Jordan Washington and Kayden Luke.
Croskey-Merritt is also reunited with former New Mexico head coach Danny Gonzales, who was recently named Arizona’s special teams coordinator and linebackers coach. The Wildcats are set to face off against New Mexico in the season opener on Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Tucson.