Jedd Fisch says Arizona running back Jonah Coleman could be a captain for the Wildcats as early as next season.

The second-year tailback was a force on Saturday in Arizona’s 34-31 win over Colorado. On just 11 carries, Coleman piled up 179 yards. He had a 49-yard burst in the second quarter, then a 54-yard scamper in the third, and then runs of 21 and 24 yards on Arizona’s game-winning field goal drive in the fourth quarter.

“Jonah Coleman is a fantastic running back,” Fisch said after the game. “He is going to be a captain in our program, I’m sure, starting next year. He’s a leader in our program.

“He trusted us in that Class of ’22. You look at the way the game went, you had Noah from that recruiting class, Speedy Luke with the kick return, TMac with nine catches, and then Jonah Coleman. … They’ve done just an incredible job building this program up.”

Coleman logged his seventh consecutive game with double-digit carries. When he has been turned loose, Coleman has been exceptional. He had 143 yards against USC in a triple-overtime loss. Saturday’s performance was a career-best.

He only has three rushing touchdowns on the season — all of which came in the Washington State win — but Coleman has filled an important role for Arizona in the backfield. He and DJ Williams have partnered well to give the UA a productive backfield tandem and keep pressure off quarterback Noah Fifita.

Coleman is up to 744 rushing yards on the season. And he’s trending up.