Updated

Arizona needed a pick-me-up when Rich Rodriguez first arrived in 2011.

The roster was thin, the players out of shape, the wins hard to come by and the facilities close to being on the embarrassing side.

Heading into his third spring practices, Rodriguez has Arizona headed back in the right direction.

Bolstered by a second straight bowl victory and upgraded facilities that are state-of-the-art, not hide-in-the-dark, Rodriguez landed one of the best recruiting classes in the country this year and has kept expectations rising in the desert.

Arizona starts spring practice on March 3 and Rodriguez and his staff will have two priorities: Finding a replacement for All-American running back Ka'Deem Carey and sorting out who will be the starting quarterback among up to eight candidates.