Alex Zendejas can’t wait to get a shot at his uncle’s kicking legacy with the Arizona football team next season.

Zendejas, the nephew of Wildcat great Max Zendejas, verbally committed to Arizona Wednesday night. He becomes a top candidate to replace kicker Nick Folk, who is in his last year of eligibility.

Max Zendejas, who played for the Wildcats from 1982 to 1985, is the program’s career scoring leader with 351 points. He also holds numerous team records, including those for longest field goal made (57 yards) and consecutive field goals made (11).

“”I’m going to break all of my uncle’s records,”” Zendejas said in a phone interview last night. “”It’s my goal to do that.””

The 6-foot-1, 170-pound Zendejas booted eight field goals in his senior season at Glendale Ironwood High School. Two were good from more than 50 yards, including a career-high 59-yarder.

Zendejas said he trains every day with Max in Glendale, running mountainsides, hills and bleacher steps in Glendale to improve leg strength and stamina.

“”He’s excited for me,”” Zendejas said. “”He’s been there for me the whole time.””

Zendejas committed to the Wildcats hours after UA linebackers coach Tim Kish, Zendejas’ main recruiter, offered him a full scholarship.

It was the first offer he had received from his list of targeted schools, which also included Boise State, Nebraska and Colorado State.

Zendejas said he attended Arizona’s final three home games. While there, he was moved by both the warm climate in Tucson and the team’s steady progress under head coach Mike Stoops.

“”It’s a pretty young program,”” he said. “”It’s been running under the radar for a number of years. It should be good.””

Zendejas’ addition extends his family’s list of kickers at the collegiate level and beyond. His other uncles Alan, Luis and Tony kicked in college and professionally, and his father, Alex, lined up for Scottsdale Community College.