Brandon Rice is a senior running back from Columbus, Ohio Walnut Ridge with speed and
the ability to get into the end-zone as he has shown 27 times this season. With
offers from a number of Mid-American schools, Rice is looking to the Big East
for an opportunity to be a featured back.
By Steve Patterson
Ohio
Pre-season #44
Rice has quickness with a 5’8”,
176lbs frame and 4.53 speed. Rated the 44th best prospected in Ohio pre-season, he has seen three Mid-American schools
offer him scholarships including Ball State, Eastern Michigan,
and Miami (OH). When asked about his football skills he mentioned desire and
work ethic. “My best attributes are my work ethic and the desire to get
better.” He told us recently.
The highlight of his career at
Walnut Ridge has been two personal and two state bests. “It's between scoring 7
touchdowns in one game and rushing for 409 yards in a game. Both are Ohio records.” Include
his senior season statistics and you can see that he is one very proficient
runner. “I have 226 carries for 2035yds and 27 touchdowns so far this season.”
He reported.
Miami (OH) and Cincinnati Visits
Rated the 25th National
All-purpose back by Rivals.com, Rice has gotten many interested coaches from
both the Big East and the Mid-American conference inviting him to campus. “I
went down to Miami (OH) for a game and I liked the atmosphere but they ended up
getting blown out by Kent St.
My 2nd visit was to UC and they beat South Florida.
I must admit I was impressed by the fans and the atmosphere of a night game at the "bigger" school, more so
than Miami.” He explained. Walnut Ridge itself has had a difficult season and
being a part of a college program that wins is important to Rice.
Rice is
looking to be a part of a winning program and getting the opportunity to carry
the football often in his college career. “I want a team that contends for
their conference title every year. I would like a team who wants me to be the
feature back in the offense, and run the ball 20-25 times a game.” Schools that
he likes at this time include on Big Ten school and two Big East schools. “I’m
interested in Michigan State, Rutgers, UC,
and some other big east schools.”
Football and Academics
When he
finds the school that he is looking for it will have a number of important
characteristics. “I will like the area in which the school is located. The
offense the team runs, the prestige of the football program and their academics
are also things I am looking for.”
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