Spring practice is fully underway, and the Arizona Wildcats are looking to build off of a successful season that saw them go 9-4, finish among the top of the Big 12, and appear in the Trust & Will Holiday Bowl.
Arizona attempted to make a comeback on the ACC's SMU Mustangs, but could not muster up enough points by the end of the fourth quarter, losing the game by a 24-19 score. Nonetheless, the season was an absolute far cry from 2024. where Arizona went 4-8 in its inaugural season in the Big 12.
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
Among the many changes during the offseason, one position group has remained mostly the same. Arizona's running back room has four players returning and is hungry to develop even further into a fearsome group.
Although Ismail Mahdi, the Wildcats' leading rusher, has left, Kedrick Reescano and Quincy Craig are returning for one more year. Sophomores Wesley Yarbrough and Cornelius Warren are coming back and are expected to see an increased workload. A lot is expected of Arizona's
Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) scores a touchdown against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Reescano and Craig were a part of a three running back system that scorched the opposing defense when given just a little bit of room. Mahdi was the feature back and totaled 859 yards and four touchdowns, but the duo got plenty of meaningful carries as well.
Reescano finished the season with 396 yards and nine touchdowns, five of them coming in the final four games. Craig had 264 yards and two touchdowns. His elusiveness and power got Arizona many if the tough yards needed to move the chains.
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
With two sophomores and a senior transer in the mix, Reescano and Craig were challenged to become the vocal leaders of the running back room..
"It's just finding when to speak, that's more to the issue and you know what to say," Reescano said on the challenges of stepping into a leader role. "When you speak from the heart and you've already earned the respect of your teammates, they'll get behind you. Just knowing when to say something, how to say it and you know who you're talking to. That's also a big thing. It's a challenge, but you know, I'm here for it."
Nov 1, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) scores a touchdown past Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Jeremiah Brown (42) in the second half at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
"I think our coaching staff does a really good job at just letting us talk, letting us have the opportunity to talk and and speak out about it," Craig said. "I don't know about Ked, but I'm definitely taking this role of trying to, 'how can I be of value?'"
Nov 28, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Wesley Yarbrough (0) against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the 99th Territorial Cup at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
With Mahdi being the only running back to depart, Arizona has the benefit of returning three of its players to the room. Yarbrough and Warren are slated to make a leap in their production, given their elevated skill set.
Roberts, the transfer out of Marshall, is also poised to have a solid year with Arizona. Their efforts in practice have not gone unnoticed to Reescano.
Marshall running back Antwan Roberts (44) carries the ball as Middle Tennessee safety Juwon Gaston (22) dives for a tackle during MTSU's Homecoming football game on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025. | HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
"I know he's played in an offense like this before, but he's picking up our offense really fast," Reescano said of Roberts. "He's getting all the small details and running routes the right way."
Reescano also had plenty of good things to say about Yarbrough and Warren as well. He added, "With the other two guys, they've been in the system, so now it's just exciting to see them flourish. They didn't have that opportunity last year, so seeing them break long runs, or catch passes, or even just understanding where to pick up a protection, it's amazing to see."
Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats assistant coach Lyle Moevao against the Kansas Jayhawks at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
While the Wildcats retained most of their running backs, they did lose Alonzo Carter, who is now the head coach at Sacramento State. Lyle Moevao , who was one of the offensive assistant coaches, is now the leader of the group and will look to continue the improvement of the squad.
I think with coach Lyle, having his quarterback background, he's very smart, very direct in what he does," Craig said. "He does also bring that family aspect in it as well. I think that's part of his culture, with him being um Polynesian. So, I think that's what he does a really good job at."
Nov 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats running back Kedrick Reescano (3) celebrates a touchdown made during the first quarter of the game against the Baylor Bears at Casino Del Sol Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images
Reescano and Craig are spending the better part of spring practice rehabbing their injuries obtained from the prior season. Once they reach 100%, they will return to fully practicing and demonstrating the skills that made them a dangerous group.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/arizona as This Arizona Position Room Poised For Impressive Season .
