RUNNING WITH IT
Cowboys' LD Brown ready for bigger role
LD Brown is ready for bigger role as backup running back at OSU
STILLWATER — It seems L DB row ni sn ever not smiling.
Even as the redshirt junior running back spoke about his biggest struggles during his Oklahoma State career, he did it through a grin.
“Injuries ,” said Brown, who has rushed for 385 yards and averaged more than six yards per carry in limited action the last two seasons.
“That's been a big part of my career. I'll go out there early i n the season, go f or over 100 or break a big run, then the second or third game, I'll have an injury that keeps me out a few games.
“For me now, I just have to stay mentally focused on going out there and playing fast and playing fearless.”
The 5-foot-9, 191-pound
back with blazing speed has seen players recruited after him—namely, Justice Hill and Chuba Hubbard — surpass him in the OSU pecking order.
But that fact doesn't faze him.
“I would never shy away from seeing other guys getting playing time, especially if they're being successful,” he said. “I'm gonna give my A-plus effort and support them, because we still play for the same team and we still have the same goal.”
And Brown finds ways to impact the game.
“He' s been a good return guy ,” OSU running backs coach John Wozniak said .“He' s been on special teams. He's filled in at running back. A lot of the years I' ve coached, he' d be getting a lot more carries. He's just happened to be behind some really good players. That's not easy.
“In a skill position, you' re naturally built to want the ball. He doesn't get it as much as he's probably earned, so I'm excited for him for this year, because he'll finally get some more touches.”
Hubbard ascended to the starting role late last season when Hill was side lined by injuries, and Brown became more involved as the No. 2 guy.
His involvement will only growth is season, with bigger, power runner sin redshirt freshman Jahmyl Jeter and junior-colleg e transfer Dezmon Jackson backing him up.
“We're very versatile,” Brown said of the running back group. “I think we're the fastest in the Big 12. We've got hands. We all can catch. We all can play various spots on the field and can be spread out if we need to. We're really looking forward to what we're gonna do this year.”