Bigger, faster Grigsby brings the ‘fire’ to UA backfield
Grigsby
By Anthony Gimino
It was funny how, at Pac-10 media day, when players and coaches took the podium and were asked about the league’s superb group of running backs, no one mentioned Arizona junior Nic Grigsby.
Cal’s Jahvid Best, Oregon State’s Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount, Stanford’s Toby Gerhart, the posse at USC … but not Grigsby.
Grigsby rushed for 1,153 yards and 13 touchdowns last season — averaging a healthy 5.4 yards per carry — although he was occasionally in the doghouse because of fumbling. He is listed at 185 pounds in the 2009 media guide, but he said Wednesday that he is up to 194.
That’s about 12 pounds heavier than last season. There is always a handful of guys who, upon reporting to camp, look physically much better than the year before. Grigsby is one of those guys.
“It’s going to be a big difference,” he said of the added weight. “And I’m fast. I’m going to be moving out there.”
Grigsby credited offseason workouts with Corey Edmond, director of performance enhancement.
“He told me this is my year,” Grigsby said.
“He got me ready. Just trying to work harder than the guy next to you. It just makes every muscle in the body twitch faster.”
Coach Mike Stoops called Grigsby an underrated player.
“I love Nic’s spirit and his energy that he brings virtually every day in practice and in games,” Stoops said.
The Cats have good depth at the position with sophomore Keola Antolin (stout and powerful) and redshirt freshman Greg Nwoko (6-2, 220), a big back with something different to offer.
The UA defense has been calling the trio “Earth, Wind and Fire” — stealing a nickname from the New York Giants trio of backs last season.
Grigsby is Fire, Nwoko’s size makes him Earth and Antolin is Wind, “because the way his hair always flies up when he runs,” Grigsby said.
Grigsby is the clear No. 1 on the depth chart, but Stoops love the competition.
Antolin had 525 yards on 117 carries last season, an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
“You need two quality backs like that. That’s good that you have a player like that pushing Nic,” Stoops said.
“It keeps Nic in a place where he needs to stay competitive and stay on edge. I think all players need that. And I think Greg Nwoko is a guy who can contribute in some way. We just have to get him more touches and get him comfortable in the system. He’s a big, strong, physical back that can really run with the ball and catch the ball well.
“We feel good about all three of those guys, and we have some young kids I’m excited to see as well.”
Stoops got the first look at everybody this morning — including true freshmen Kylan Butler and Daniel Jenkins — in the first practice. But it’s a more-physically imposing Grigsby who is the one to watch.
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Tags: Keola Antolin, Mike Stoops, Nic Grigsby
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August 6th, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Looks like we’ll have two Nics who have something to prove. What a great year to be a Cat Fan!
August 7th, 2009 at 7:02 AM
Yes Anne, it’s been a good ten years since both the football and basketball teams have shown such promise going into their fall seasons. It’s nice to see the programs on such solid footing and fuelling the fan base with Wilcat Fever, GO CATS…