Arizona football recruiting: 2019 running back Taron Madison impressed by Wildcats’ coaching staff

The SoCal running back is taking his time but likes his options so far

The Arizona Wildcats have had a great string of talented and explosive running backs in recent seasons, whether it be Ka’Deem Carey, Nick Wilson, or J.J. Taylor.

This past recruiting cycle, four-star Southern California running back Nathan Tilford chose Arizona and enrolled early.

Move to the 2018 and 2019 classes, and it’s evident the Wildcats are looking to continue that trend.

Earlier this week, 2019 Beaumont High School (Beaumont, Calif.) running back Taron Madison took a trip to Tucson to check out the UA and came away feeling good about Arizona as an option.

“It was great,” Madison said about his visit. “I loved the facilities. I met all the coaching staff and some players.”

Madison said the coaches’ attitudes stood out to him the most.

“Every coach I met was extremely happy to see me,” he said.

The interest from both parties didn’t just start with the visit. It actually started earlier in June. Madison made his way over to Redlands, Calif. for a satellite camp that the Wildcats hosted on the University of Redlands campus on June 16.

“They said they really liked me,” Madison said. “Then I went on the unofficial visit. Next morning, (running backs) coach (Calvin) Magee called Bobby Pleasant, my guy. Bobby called me, waking me up with an offer.”

BEYOND BLESSED and GRATEFUL❗️❗️ To have received my fifth offer from University of Arizona! http://pic.twitter.com/k4QB5OAppv

— ™'01 (@tmadison03_) July 27, 2017

It wasn’t just Magee keeping tabs on Madison, but Brian Knorr too, Arizona’s special teams coach.

“Coach Knorr is the guy,” Madison said.

On the recruiting front, Madison is up to five total offers. Joining UA is Oregon, Washington, Utah, and San Jose State. And so far no one school is above the rest.

“Like I tell everyone, every school that’s gotten out to me early plays a special part in my recruitment,” Madison explained. “It’ll be a tough decision in the end.”

Madison thinks Arizona State and Washington State are close to offering him.

“I’m sure there are a lot more that I haven’t heard from,” he said. “A lot of them follow me on Twitter.”

Madison has visited ASU, and some other visits he is looking to make are to Utah and Washington.

Madison does not have a commit date in mind.

“Nope, not at all,” he said. “I haven’t thought about it that deep yet. I’m just enjoying the process.”

Though he doesn’t have a decision timeframe, Madison does have a good idea about what he is looking for in his school of choice.

“Environment and academics, both of those have to be great,” he said. “The coaches must be great as well. I have to have a strong connection.”

At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, there is little doubt as to why multiple Pac-12 schools have jumped in early on Madison’s recruitment.

He has a little shiftiness for a player his size. However the name of his game is power, more north-to-south running.

He could add a little more muscle to his frame and improve his initial burst speed. However, once he gets going, he shows impressive downhill speed.

Last year, Madison played for the Banning High School Broncos before making the move to Beaumont this offseason.

With the Broncos, Madison played multiple positions on the offensive side of the ball. He tallied 780 yards on 105 carries and 11 touchdowns on ground. At quarterback, Madison completed 40 of his 81 passes for 801 yards, nine touchdowns, and five interceptions.

You can view his sophomore highlights here:

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