Aug. 10, 2006
Meet The Aggies #1 - Ryan Bohm
Utah State has had a history of players leading the team in rushing in consecutive seasons. One can go back to Buddy Allen in 1958 and 1959, Tom Larscheid the next two years, and Altie Taylor in the late 1960s.
The decade of the 1970s saw backs like Louie Giammona (1974-75) and Rick Parros (1977-78-79) rush for more than 1,000 yards in multiple seasons. The 1990s had Roger Grant (1990-91), Abu Wilson (1992, 94-95-96) and Demario Brown (1997-98-99) establish themselves as the main runners for more than one season.
However, since Emmett White led the team with back-to-back 1,300-yard seasons in 2000 and 2001, no Aggie back has led the team in rushing in consecutive years, although several have had the opportunity.
James Samuel led the team as a junior in 2002, but was not on the team the following year. David Fiefia led the Aggies in 2003, but was a senior and did not return in 2004. That year Chris Forbes led the team as a freshman, but injuries limited his time last season as another freshman led the team in 2005 in Ryan Bohm.
While Bohm is back for 2006, it is not at the tailback position. After rushing 92 times for a team-best 340 yards in eight starts in his first collegiate season, Bohm will has been moved to the fullback position this year.
In his new role, Bohm's rushing attempts will be limited, but his role will be expanded. The 5-11, 207-pounder will play up closer to the line of scrimmage and be in motion quite a bit.
"We can use Ryan as a blocker and as a receiver and he gives us more speed at that position," said USU offensive coordinator Mike Santiago. "We know he can go back to tailback if we need that. He is a guy who is going to play a vital role in our offense."
Bohm will share the fullback position with veteran Jimmy Bohm (no relation).
"It is a position where you have to be able to go in motion and think on the fly and make a lot changes," Bohm said. "I think it will work out well for me. I think I fit in pretty well and it will take advantage of some of my abilities."
For Bohm, position changes are nothing new. As a junior at Logan High School he was an all-state running back. The next year as a senior he earned all-state honors once again, but at the quarterback position.
He is very accepting of the new position change this year.
"I am excited," Bohm said. "We are trying to get as many people on the field that can make plays at the same time. It is going to allow Marcus (Cross) and me and Penny (Tony Pennyman) and K-Rob (Kevin Robinson) and Rob Myers to be on the field at the same time, so it is exciting.
"I think it is going to work out well," he added. "I just want to get out on the field. I am not really concerned about where I play. I just want to play."
Bohm believes that the adjustment to this position will not be too difficult due to his understanding of the game.
"You have to be able to read the defenses," Bohm explained. "When you are in motion you have to see who you have to block and it can change, but I think I can make those decisions. It is probably one of the harder positions on the offense, but I think I have a good enough understanding of the offense that I think I can handle it."
"We are trying to utilize his abilities and strengths, which are his mind," Santiago said.
And as Bohm's role changed, expect to see Utah State have a different rushing leader for the sixth consecutive season.
Notes
• Utah State has six players born in foreign countries including TE Doug Barbour (Wiesbaden, Germany), CB Sam Bergen (Amsterdam, Netherlands), OL Malik Cin (Wiesbaden, Germany), WR Nnamdi Gwacham (Onitscha, Nigeria), DT E.J. Reid (American Samoa), and PK Darryl Wheeler (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada).
• Construction on the new north end zone facility has begun as far as preliminary work. The north parking lot has been torn up as crews work on electricity, drainage, etc...
• USU held its second practice session of the year on Thursday morning. The players spent the afternoon getting their class schedules organized. After Friday's morning practice, the team will take part in the program's media day in the afternoon.
