Sometimes change is good.
That’s how Arizona Wildcats sophomore running back Ka’Deem Carey is looking at things under new head coach Rich Rodriguez as the ‘Cats prepare for their season opener September 1 against Toledo in Tucson.
“Rich Rod likes to spread the offense around,” Carey told ‘Big Guy on Sports’ Friday. “He likes to get the playmakers the ball. It think [the offense] fits me well, especially considering all the work I put in this off-season.”
UofA’s offense has changed from Mike Stoops’ pro-style system last year under Mike Stoops to Rodriguez’s up-tempo spread which looks to expose defensive match-up problems on the edge for the Wildcats skill players.
Skill is certainly a word used to describe the former Tucson Canyon del Oro .
Arguably one of the greatest high school prep players in state history, he rushed for 425 on just 91 attempts (4.7 yards per carry) as true freshman last season. He was recruited heavily by several Pac-12 schools after rushing for over 2,700 yards and 45 touchdowns his junior year as CDO capped a perfect 14-0 season claiming the 4A-I state championship.
Growing up in the Old Pueblo, Carey knows Arizona has been predominantly known as a basketball school, but believes that perception could be changing if Rodriguez has anything to say about it.
“I know he came in here saying this was a basketball [school],” Carey explained. “He didn’t knock that, but he wants to make it a football school, too. He’s done a great job out here…trying to change the culture.”
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Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.