Arizona football: A look at the running back competition heading into fall camp

A battle of two running backs under 5'9 for the third running back spot

Nick Wilson is going to be among the conference's best running backs, including Oregon's Royce Freeman, Utah's Devontae Booker and UCLA's Paul Perkins. The emphasis of this season is going to be maintaining the health of the key starters, which includes Nick Wilson. Rich Rodriguez has never given his third string running back more than 30 touches in a season in his three years at Arizona, but that might have to change this year.

With Nick Wilson leading the way, it'll be Jared Baker right behind to hopefully provide that one-two punch that Terris Jones-Grigsby brought in 2014. Jared Baker is experienced and has shown off his moves and scoring abilities when he gets the touches. But the big question is who will be the number three back.

Jonathan Haden, who made the switch from receiver to running back, could be the guy to fill in. This spring he said he was trying to learn the offense from a running back perspective. "Getting my eyes back, reading the gaps and making my cuts to see the field from the backfield," he said about his spring practice improvements. But it could be true freshman Orlando Bradford who gives him a run for that third spot. Bradford has the potential to be Nick Wilson's replacements whenever he decides to leave, but it just depends on how he performs in camp and how fast he can pick up the offense.

Both are small (under 5'9) guys who can be used in multiple spots on the field. Haden has a year of experience under his belt in the Arizona offense, but Orlando Bradford also has that much potential and a great skill set to allow him to jump in right away. For now, I'd consider Haden as the third running back, but it would not surprising to see Orlando Bradford in the mix come kickoff.

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