Arizona RB Nathan Tilford enters NCAA transfer portal

The writing was on the wall when Nathan Tilford’s name wasn’t on Arizona’s spring roster, and now his departure from the program is official.

Tilford, a redshirt junior running back, has entered the NCAA transfer portal. He is the second Wildcat to do so on Tuesday, joining quarterback Kevin Doyle.

A former 4-star prospect, Tilford could never climb the RB depth chart in four seasons with Arizona. In 21 career games, 10 of which came as a true freshman in 2017, he had only 53 carries for 363 yards and four touchdowns.

His best performances came in 2019, scoring twice at Colorado and gaining 61 yards on seven carries at USC.

Tilford was one of several scholarship players the UA did not include on the spring roster, signaling their likely departure. Tilford will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Arizona needs to replace Gary Brightwell but has solid depth at RB, including returning rushers Michael Wiley and Bam Smith and newcomers Drake Anderson and Stevie Rocker Jr.