Ka’Deem Carey’s post on his Facebook wall leaves open the possibility of his return to Arizona next season for his senior season (Ka’Deem Carey Facebook post)
[ezcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]
Will he return for a senior season and become the best running back in the history of the Pac-12? Not just Arizona, but the conference? And with that is a Heisman Trophy as a senior out of the realm of possibility?
Or will Ka’Deem Carey chase his NFL dreams and enter the draft in April? Carey’s latest draft stock has him going in either the first or second round, according to CBSSports.com.
The same Web site does not list Carey (or any other running backs) in the first round in two mock drafts produced by analysts Rob Rang and Dane Brugler.
Carey, a junior, caused a viral reaction to a Facebook post this morning that indicates he is at least contemplating a return to the Wildcats for his senior season.
“1more year???” was his post.
It was the first indication that Carey might entertain the thought of returning and potentially challenge Charles White’s Pac-12 rushing record. Moreover, Carey can improve his draft stock and lead Arizona to its first Rose Bowl, if he returns.
As it is now, Carey is widely considered the top running back in the nation. He has rushed for a school-record 4,070 yards on 716 carries with 46 touchdowns (also a UA record) in his three-year career. He has rushed for 1,716 yards on 322 carries this season. He could have challenged the 1,929 he gained last season but sat out the season-opener against NAU for disciplinary reasons.
[/ezcol_1half]
[ezcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]
Check out Ka'Deem Carey's season highlights. 322 rushes, 1,716yds, 17 TD; 26 rec, 173yds, 1 TD. #TeamKaDeem #BearDown http://t.co/elKxQMvsgp
— Arizona Football (@ArizonaFBall) December 5, 2013
Ka'Deem Carey vs. Andre Williams: No contest vs elite competition. Carey avg 167 ypg vs USC/Ore/ASU. Williams avg 85.7 vs USC/FSU/Clem
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) December 3, 2013
[/ezcol_1half_end]
[ezcol_1half id=”” class=”” style=””]
Stanford coach David Shaw was interviewed this morning on the Tim Brando Show on Sirius-XM College Sports Nation. Brando mentioned that Arizona did the Cardinal a favor by upsetting Oregon two weeks ago, allowing Stanford to play ASU in the Pac-12 championship game tomorrow at Sun Devil Stadium.
Brando said Arizona “gift wrapped” the Pac-12 North title for Stanford by beating the Ducks behind Carey’s 206 yards on 48 carries.
Ka’Deem Carey is leaving open the possibility of returning for his senior season (YouTube still)
“To be honest, I didn’t think that was going to happen,” Shaw said. “I knew Oregon State was going to give Oregon a tough time in the Civil War. I thought maybe Oregon State can pull it off, which they almost did.
“I didn’t count on Arizona, but I’ll tell you what, you watch that film … Ka’Deem Carey, I mean, if he’s not the best back in the nation, I don’t know who is. He is phenomenal without as much support on the outside as maybe other guys get. That guy is special.”
Another incentive for Carey to return is the news that NFL receiver prospect Austin Hill, out this season with a knee injury, has announced he will return next season. Arizona lacked experience and depth at the wideout position this year and that adversely affected senior quarterback B.J. Denker’s performance.
A new quarterback will run the offense next year but will do so with Hill and more experienced targets such as sophomores-to-be Samajie Grant, Nate Phillips and Trey Griffey. The offensive line also returns every starter except right guard Chris Putton.
Carey is 2,175 yards shy of Davis’ Pac-12 record of 6,245 while with USC from 1976-79. Assuming Carey plays in a bowl this season and plays in 13 games next season (including a bowl), he would have to average 155.4 yards a game in that 14-game span.
That’s achievable inasmuch as he is averaging 156 yards rushing a game this season as part of an offense in which defenses can key on him. That won’t be as much of a possibility next season with the skill-position talent returning, highlighted by Hill, a game-changer, coming back.
[/ezcol_1half]
[ezcol_1half_end id=”” class=”” style=””]
“Ka’Deem Carey, I mean, if he’s not the best back in the nation, I don’t know who is. He is phenomenal without as much support on the outside as maybe other guys get. That guy is special.”
— Stanford coach David Shaw
TOP 10 PAC-12 CAREER RUSHERS
[table “” not found /]
And ICYMI, here are all of Ka'Deem Carey's school records: http://t.co/xwjIBF7cAT
— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) December 2, 2013
[/ezcol_1half_end]
WILDABOUTAZCATS.net publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report, Lindy’s College Sports and TucsonCitizen.com.
[rps-paypal]
|
|
Recommended for you
