Now it makes sense why Wildcats are pursuing Damien Martinez
With four scholarship running backs participating in spring practice and another arriving in June, it was surprising to see Arizona making such a big push for the top available ball carrier in the NCAA transfer portal.
Now it all makes sense.
Former New Mexico RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who had signed with the Wildcats in February, has flipped his commitment to Ole Miss for the 2024 season.
I got a purpose .. why not me? @OleMissFB @_kbolden @Lane_Kiffin @Enrique__Davis pic.twitter.com/Q62S7Pm8IO
— Jacory Merritt (@JacoryMerritt15) April 19, 2024
Croskey-Merritt ran for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for the Lobos. He was expected to arrive in Tucson in June and further enhance a running back room that added San Jose State’s Quali Conley and 4-star freshman Jordan Washington to a room that returned junior Rayshon ‘Speedy’ Luke and redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson.
But the UA was still looking to add at the position, bringing in former Oregon State rusher Damien Martinez for an official visit on Thursday. Martinez, the Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2022, has run for 2,167 yards and 16 TDs the past two seasons and is ranked by 247Sports as the top available rusher in the portal.
⬇️?? pic.twitter.com/ptC84plEvY
— damien martinez (@damienfor6) April 19, 2024