
Arizona running back Trung Canidate was a first-round pick of the then-St. Louis Rams in 2000.
By Zack Rosenblatt ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV
Arizona inducted three more former football players into its Ring of Honor on Saturday, bringing the total to 47 honorees.
Running back Trung Canidate, tight end Brandon Manumaleuna and quarterback Keith Smith all had their names added to Arizona Stadium’s west side. The UA will honor the trio at Homecoming on Oct. 28.
Typically, a player who falls under the criteria for inclusion in the Ring of Honor is inducted immediately, though some players have taken a bit longer to have their names enshrined.
The criteria includes one (or more) of the following: a national “player of distinction†award and/or a national championship MVP award; Pac-10/12 player, freshman, offensive or defensive player of the year; first-team All-America recognition; career leader in three or more positive career statistics at the end of their college careers while holding the record for at least five years; 10-or-more years in the NFL.
Linebacker Scooby Wright, running back Ka’Deem Carey, tight end Rob Gronkowski and quarterback Nick Foles were all inducted shortly after their UA careers ended.
That wasn’t quite the case for the new trio, though all three certainly are worthy of inclusion.
Canidate was, before Carey, the most prolific running back in school history. He was a two-time All-American and the UA’s career leader in career rushing yards, single-season rushing yards and longest run. The St. Louis Rams made Canidate their first-round pick in 2000, though he played just four years in the NFL.
Manumaleuna parlayed his UA stint into a 10-year NFL career with the Rams, Chargers and Bears.
Smith finished his career the school’s all-time completion percentage leader for a career and season. He split snaps with Ortege Jenkins during the Wildcats’ historic 12-1 season in 1998.