The weather in Tucson has gotten warmer, and the days are getting longer, meaning one thing: football season has returned to the delight of Arizona fans everywhere.
Spring football practice began a little over a week ago, and the Wildcats are looking to build off of an impressive season that saw them go 9-4, finish as the 21st-ranked team in the NCAA, and earn an appearance in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl.
Nov 15, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Although it is just spring practice and full pads haven't been worn yet, Arizona is looking like a strong team, and as teammates continue to gel over the months, it will only get better.
The running back position group is greatly benefiting from having four returning players and a new coach in Lyle Moevao, who is already familiar with the Wildcats and how head coach Brent Brennan and offensive coordinator Seth Doege like to run things.
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) runs against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Quincy Craig was a part of a three-running back committee that had all the makings of an elite-level backfield. Now that Ismail Mahdi is gone and preparing for the NFL Draft, he and Kedrick Reescano are the team's veterans and will see a lot more carries throughout the season.
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) runs for a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks in the first half at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
In his first season with the Wildcats, Craig established himself as an all-purpose back who can scorch a defense, both on the ground and through the air. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound Sacramento State missed just one game and racked up 364 yards on 65 carries (5.6 yards) while also snagging 14 receptions for 114 yards,
Although transferring to a new team and getting acclimated to another offense may seem like a huge burden, Craig actually got used to it quickly, and it showed on the field. Now that he is in his second year, he is fully used to the 'RedLine' ways and credits the coaching staff and players for the smooth transition.
Iowa State Cyclones' linebacker Kooper Ebel (47) and Iowa State Cyclones' linebacker John Klosterman (22) take down Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) during the second quarter in the Big-12 conference showdown on Sept. 27, 2025, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. | Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"I think the coaching staff does a really good job at keeping everybody together, and the team also does a good job at accepting everybody," Craig said. "I actually do think that we have the potential to be another really close team, and I think that's going to benefit us in the fall."
Aug 30, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) runs to the end zone during the second quarter against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
The 2025 season took a toll on Craig's body. An undisclosed injury even sidelined him in Arizona's week 11 game against Baylor. Craig is listed as limited in spring practice, meaning he is taking all the necessary steps to rehab any lingering injuries so he will be 100% by the time summer camp rolls around.
"It's definitely been a grind," Craig said. "We each have our ups and downs, and I think this is something to where, how can we be of value for the team through our own injury or through our own circumstances right now?"
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Now that Craig is considered one of the veterans of the running back room, Moevao challenged him and Reecano to take on more of a leadership role with the second-year players Wesley Yarbrough and Cornelius Warren.
Craig feels that the coaches have done an exceptional job in letting him speak and share advice with the younger players, which allows him to be a role model on the field.
Oct 11, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Quincy Craig (24) runs a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
"I think our coaching staff does a really good job at letting us have the opportunity to talk and speak out about it," Craig said. "I'm definitely taking this role of trying to, 'how can I be of value?' That's the main thing that I'm really trying to step up... As of right now, it's me trying to vocalize and become more of a leader into the situation. Just trying to take it day by day."
Arizona's spring practice will run through April 22, giving Craig about a month to fully rehab any lingering injuries. Until then, he will continue to be a vocal leader and help the running back room improve.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/arizona as Breakout Arizona RB Set for Bigger Role in 2026 .
