RB Rayshon “Speedy” Luke is redshirting from the Arizona Wildcats, per report

One of Arizona’s deepest positions early in the season has become much thinner just a month into the 2024 season.

Junior runs back Rayshon “Speedy” Luke According to multiple reports, he intends to sit out the remainder of the 2024 season and redshirt, thereby retaining one year of eligibility. Michael Luke of PHNX Sports was the first to report the news.

Luke is expected to remain with the team and return to action in 2025.

The 5-foot-10, 172-pound Luke appeared in all four games for the UA this fall and started the Big 12 opener at Utah, but had just four carries for 13 yards and an additional six catches for 52 yards. Luke also has a tackle on special teams, where he logged eight snaps in addition to 45 on offense.

A 4-star recruit from Arizona’s breakthrough 2022 recruiting class, Luke has played in 24 games for the Wildcats, including all 13 in 2023, as well as one start in the Territorial Cup. Over his career, he has rushed for 271 yards and one touchdown and has 11 receptions for 148 yards.

Luke is the second running back Arizona has lost, but for different reasons. senior Jacory Croskey-Merritt, A New Mexico transfer who started the season opener with 106 yards and a touchdown has been sat out the last three games because of concerns about his eligibility. UA coach Brent Brennan said the school is waiting for the NCAA, which previously cleared Croskey-Merritt to play, to reconfirm it.

Arizona still has one senior Quali Conleywho has made two starts and leads the team with 322 rushing yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore Kedrick Reescano (147 yards, one TD) and redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson plus walk-ons Kayden Luke And Anthony Wilhite. Kayden Luke got his first start at Utah but was otherwise used at fullback, while Johnson has yet to appear in a game since signing with the UA in the 2023 recruiting class and Wilhite hasn’t played since transferring from the University of Ottawa in 2023 has spring.