It wasn’t all fun and basketball this week for Arizona Wildcats football coach Rich Rodriguez.
While he was in Las Vegas, attending both of UA’s games at the Pac-12 tournament, he and his coaches were closing the deal on four-star running back Nick Wilson from Fresno, Calif. He committed Saturday, according to multiple reports.
Wilson is a national-level recruit, whose other scholarship offers includes Arizona State, Arkansas, Boise State, Cal, Fresno State, Oregon State, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State and Wisconsin.
Wilson (5-11, 195) ran for about 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season at Central High School. He told WildcatSportsReport.com (our TucsonCitizen.com partner) that he took notice of Ka’Deem Carey’s success last season in Rodriguez’s offense.
“(Carey) and I are a lot alike. We have the same running style,” Wilson told WildcatSportsReport.com. “I like to use my speed in the open field, but I love taking on defenders inside the box and playing a real physical brand of football when I’m carrying the ball.”
His commitment adds to Arizona’s hot start for the 2004 class. The Wildcats already have a top 100 recruit in Salpointe Catholic receiver/cornerback Cameron Denson (No. 41 overall in the rankings by 247Sports), as well as a pledge from tight end Nick Nataro from Estero, Fla.
Wilson is rated the 112th-best player and the 10th-best running back by 247Sports. Rivals.com ranks him at No. 211 overall.
For more coverage of Arizona athletics and recruiting, visit WildcatSportsReport.com.