It was only one game, but after seeing Jacory Croskey-Merritt rush for 106 yards and a touchdown in his Arizona debut it was hard not to think he was in for a big year.
Similar thoughts probably crossed through any Wildcat fans who happened to watch Thursday night’s East-West Shrine Bowl, when Croskey-Merritt put a cap on his college career with a stellar individual performance. Except this time, the thoughts were more about what might have been.
Croskey-Merritt was named Offensive MVP of the collegiate all-star game played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, rushing for 97 yards and two TDs in helping the West team win 25-0. He did so wearing a helmet with the Arizona logo on one side and New Mexico—where he spent the 2023 season—on the other.
2025 East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP
@JacoryMerritt15, @ArizonaFBall #ShrineBowl pic.twitter.com/Q78TWaWdhp
— East-West Shrine Bowl (@ShrineBowl) January 31, 2025
he 2024 season was supposed to be Croskey-Merritt’s sixth in college, having spent four years at Alabama A&M to start his career. Prior to transferring to Arizona last year he was cleared by the NCAA for that final season, but shortly after his 106-yard, one-TD performance against New Mexico on Aug. 30 questions about his eligibility were brought to the NCAA’s attention.
Arizona held Croskey-Merritt out of games while waiting for a response from the NCAA but never got one, effectively ending his UA career after 13 carries. In his absence, the Wildcats averaged 97.6 rushing yards per game and for the season ranked 120th out of 134 FBS teams in run production.
Croskey-Merritt will now turn his attention to preparing for the 2025 NFL Draft. He is not currently on any draft boards but with strong workouts this spring could end up getting picked or wind up signing as a rookie free agent.