Arizona Wildcats senior running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was named to the preseason Doak Walker Award watch list for college football's top running back.Β
Former Arizona running back Jonah Coleman, who transferred to Washington, wasn't named to the preseason Doak Walker Award watch list, which was announced on Tuesday.Β Β
No Wildcat has won the Doak Walker Award, but former All-American running back Ka'Deem Carey was a finalist in 2013.Β
In his lone season at New Mexico, after previously playing four seasons at Alabama State, Croskey-Merritt rushed for 1,190 yards, which ranked 23rd in college football, and 17 touchdowns last season; he averaged 6.3 yards per carry. His 17 rushing touchdowns ranked fifth nationally.
After flipping from Ole Miss to Arizona, Croskey-Merritt will headline the Wildcats' rebuilt running backs room that lost its top three rushers. The 5-11, 208-pound Croskey-Merritt joins San Jose State transfer Quali Conley, Ole Miss transfer Kedrick Reescano, junior Rayshon Luke and redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson as scholarship running backs at Arizona.Β
Arizona kicks off the 2024 season against New Mexico at Arizona Stadium on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN.
