The UA football team bolstered its running attack over the weekend with a verbal commitment from All-American Rahshon Spikes.

Spikes, a senior at Maloney (Meridan, Conn.) High School and one of the most sought-after recruits on the Wildcats' list, is a Super Prep All-American and ranked as the No. 9 running back in the Northeast. He is the 59th-ranked back overall.

Maloney head football coach Rob Szymaszek said Spikes is a durable running back capable of big plays and, in his opinion, "a potential Heisman Trophy candidate."

That's high praise for a young player, but Szymaszek said Spikes is definitely ready.

"The first time he touches the ball he has the potential to break the game wide open," Szymaszek said.

During his senior campaign, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound Spikes rushed for 1,412 yards and 23 touchdowns. Spikes never missed a game in his four-year varsity career and tallied 77 touchdowns and 6,876 all-purpose yards, both state records.

Spikes had narrowed his choices to Syracuse, Arizona and North Carolina State. However, he is still expected to make a trip to Raleigh this weekend. Spikes was in Tucson last weekend.

"The game plan is to visit (N.C. State) and then sit down, compare notes and make the decision," Szymaszek said.

The signing period for athletes begins Feb. 7. Arizona coaches are prohibited by NCAA rules from commenting on recruits until they sign a formal letter of intent.