He arizona wildcats‘ The football program hasn’t managed to win double-digit games in a season since 2014, but the Wildcats could be on the rise after a historic day on Thursday.
Arizona got the highest rated recruit in program history when five-star running back Elijah Rushing committed to the Wildcats.
The Arizona Wildcats enter the field before a game against the Washington State Cougars on November 19, 2022 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Arizona. (Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Rushing, a native of Tucson, Ariz., chose the Wildcats over notre dameTennessee and Oregon.
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«To be a hometown kid born and raised in the tucson heart, this decision has special meaning to me,» Rushing said in a video announcing their engagement. “The opportunity to represent my state, my community and my family on the soccer field is a dream come true. It’s an opportunity to give back to the place that has shaped me, both as an athlete and as an individual.»
Rushing is the No. 8 ranked prospect in the 2024 247 Sports class.
The Wildcats prepare to enter a third year under head coach jedd fisch and are looking to build on the momentum they built in 2022.
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Arizona went 5-7 in 2022 after an 1-11 finish to Fisch’s first season in Tucson.
Arizona Wildcats head coach Jedd Fisch is drenched with Powerade after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils 38-35 in a game at Arizona Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
«Coach Fisch continually brought up the idea of being a local man, and now I get to defend my home state,» Rushing told 247 Sports. «I am very excited to be engaged and I love the run of the show.
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«For me, it’s important to be at the forefront of something special. We’re building something big, and it’s a great opportunity, a blessing, really, to have my hometown behind me. If you take care of the city, the city will take care of you, as well that I will do everything possible to push us forward as a team.»
An Arizona Wildcats helmet sitting on the field during warmups before the game between the Wildcats and the California Golden Bears at FTX Field at California Memorial Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Berkeley, California. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Wildcats return with eight offensive starters from a 2022 team that was 20th in the country in yards per game (461.9).
Arizona was ranked 125th in total defense in 2022.