Image Credit: Terrapin Station MD
2013 Statistics: 166 carries, 776 yards, 4.7 YPC, 4 TD; 18 catches, 173 yards, 9.6 YPC, 0 TD
Best Game: vs. Old Dominion (18 carries, 149 yards, 8.3 YPC, 1 TD; 1 catch, 6 yards, 6.0 YPC, 0 TD)
Worst Game: at North Carolina State (18 carries, 31 yards, 1.7 YPC, 0 TD; 0 catches, 0 yards, 0.0 YPC, 0 TD)
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While players like Deon Long, Stefon Diggs, and C.J. Brown captured the offensive spotlight for the Maryland Terrapins game after game, Brandon Ross quietly had a very productive season in the backfield. His role in Mike Locksley’s spread-option attack is very important, and his versatility makes him the perfect back for this system.
The 2012 season saw four different running backs listed as co-starters for the first few weeks of the season. Justus Pickett, Brandon Ross, Albert Reid, and Wes Brown all split carries before Brown ended up winning the job during the team’s game against North Carolina State. 2013 saw Ross and Reid engulfed in a tight battle before the season, and Ross emerged as the starter, a role he held throughout the entire season. And, in 2014, there is yet another competition that Ross will be involved in.
Brandon Ross and Albert Reid are currently listed as co-starters at running back, while Wes Brown, Jacquille Veii, and Joe Riddle are listed as co-backups. As I’ve outlined in my projected two-deep depth chart, I expect Ross to win the starting job once again, while Reid and Brown share carries as his backup. Many people are wondering whether Wes Brown will end up taking the starting job at some point, but I don’t necessarily see the competition playing out that way.
Brandon Ross is a very versatile all-around running back. He has the toughness to get tough yards between the tackles, and also has the speed to get to the edge of a defense. Additionally, his pass-catching ability puts him ahead of backs like Albert Reid or Wes Brown. Mike Locksley runs a very wide range of running plays, as I’ve outlined in my Film Study articles here and here. From counters to inside zone runs, read option plays to inverted veers, it takes a versatile running back to be able to handle each of these type of runs.
Albert Reid and Wes Brown classify more as power backs, better suited for a traditional pro-style offense. They don’t necessarily have the speed to get to the edge of the defense, a trait that is necessary in Mike Locksley’s offense. Brown thrived in the pro-style offense that Locksley ran with Perry Hills under center, as it was based on more of a downhill, power running game. But in the spread-option style employed by Locksley with the dual-threat C.J. Brown taking the snaps, a quicker, more agile back is your best bet in the backfield.
The running back position is one of great importance in Mike Locksley’s offense. If the opposing defense keys on the quarterback in the option game, that opens up huge holes for the running back. This is exactly what happened in Brandon Ross’ best game of the season against Old Dominion. After seeing what C.J. Brown could do with his legs in the Terps’ season opener against Florida International, the Monarchs decided not to let Brown beat them with his legs. This opened up big holes for Brandon Ross, resulting in not only his best game of the season, but the best of his career.
The running back competition will be a tight one this off-season. But tough competition has only made Brandon Ross better for the past few seasons. I believe that he is the best fit for this offense, and that he will be the Terps’ starting running back when they open the season at home against James Madison. Even if he doesn’t make all of the flashy plays that Stefon Diggs, Deon Long, or C.J. Brown undoubtedly will this season, have no doubts that Brandon Ross will be a huge part of the Maryland offense in 2014.
Terps Analyst
Zack is a financial analyst for a defense contractor in Washington, DC. The Owings Mills native focuses most of his efforts on Maryland Football recruiting and individual coach and player pieces; but also covers Terps Basketball. He has established relationships with Big Ten beat reporters across the conference, which he utilizes in his game previews. Now a Sr. Terps Analyst for BSL, Zack can be reached at: zack.kiesel@baltimoresportsandlife.com.