Arizona’s first year in the Big 12 Conference could be a memorable one thanks to a solid nucleus of returning talent and a transfer portal running back flying under the radar.
Pro Football Focus singled out Arizona transfer Jacory Croskey-Merritt as one of the highest-rated transfers in the country after the former New Mexico star graded out at 92.7 percent in 2023 with the Lobos.
In 2023, Croskey-Merritt rushed for 1,190 yards and 17 touchdowns for New Mexico and averaged 6.3 yards per carry on the way to being named All-Mountain West Conference as well as being named an honorable mention All-American by College Football News. He was originally committed to play for Arizona in 2024 but flipped to Ole Miss before flipping back to Arizona.
Croskey-Merritt, 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds, will be at his third college — he played his first four seasons at Alabama State from 2019 to 2022 but never rushed for more than 500 yards in a season.