Just two days after running back Brandon Smith was released from his contract at Arizona, the four-star recruit committed to the Oregon Ducks.Â
Smith, who was one of the Wildcats' highest-rated signees for 2026, announced on Monday that he's joining the Ducks. The Fresno, California, native recently led Central East High School to a football state championship.Â
Despite the loss of Smith and leading rusher Ismail Mahdi, the Wildcats have five scholarship running backs on the roster for 2026: returners Kedrick Reescano, Quincy Craig and second-year freshmen Wesley Yarbrough and Cornelius Warren III, along with Marshall transfer Antwan Roberts.Â
The 6-1, 203-pound Roberts reunites with Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege, who was Marshall's offensive play-caller in 2024. Roberts didn't play in 2024 due to injury. Last season, the Nashville native had 90 rushes for 512 yards and four touchdowns; he averaged 5.7 yards per carry. Roberts joined Marshall after starting his collegiate career at Independence Community College in Kansas.
Craig's 24-yard touchdown lifted Arizona to bowl eligibility and a win over Kansas; he also caught a touchdown in the first half, which moved quarterback Noah Fifita to a tie for the most career passing touchdowns. In the following game, Reescano had a 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Arizona's upset win over No. 25 Cincinnati.Â
Reescano led the Wildcats with nine rushing touchdowns this past season, the most by a UA running back since Zach Green in 2017. Seven of Reescano's touchdowns were inside the red zone. Reescano and Craig were Arizona's second- and third-leading rushers with a combined 149 carries for 760 yards and 11 touchdowns.Â
Yarbrough and Warren were used in limited roles this past season, but preserved a redshirt year and will look to have elevated roles in their second year under Doege.
Arizona is entering its first season under new running backs coach Lyle Moevao, who is succeeding Sacramento State head coach Alonzo Carter.Â
