Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
It was one of the more bizarre stories to come across the news wire in quite some time. Maryland Terrapins sophomore running back Wes Brown was being suspended indefinitely by the program after charges were filed against him for felony wiretapping, second-degree assault and theft. Brown was also being questioned in the investigation of a non-fatal shooting outside of a Baltimore nightclub. The future for the Terps’ leading candidate to start at running back did not look bright whatsoever.
Earlier this week, it seemed things were headed for a turnaround as all of the charges filed against Brown were dropped. Brown would be able to return to football activities and Maryland can resume preparation without a hitch in the backfield for the 2013 season, their final one in the ACC before heading off to the Big Ten.
Well, the University of Maryland as a whole didn’t exactly think Brown should get off so easily.
On Friday, Brown was suspended by the school for a period of one year, a suspension that he fully accepted. Citing violations of the school’s student code of conduct, the sophomore will depart the institution and has decided to attend a community college for the time-being.
There is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, however, as the suspension could be shortened to one semester if Brown could meet certain “benchmarks,” as the school described them.
Nonetheless, Wes Brown will not be in the backfield for Maryland this season, which is a terribly crushing blow to a team that needs every bit of help they can get on offense to progress from last year’s 4-8 disappointment.
As a freshman last season, Brown only rushed for 382 yards and two touchdowns, but he–along with backfield mate and fellow sophomore Brandon Ross–were supposed to make up one of the most improved, young backfield tandems in the conference. With Brown’s absence now, Ross is left to more or less fend for himself.
Last season, Ross was the team’s leading rusher with 390 yards and one touchdown. I know, those aren’t jaw-dropping numbers by any means, and the Maryland Terrapins are definitely in trouble–which may be an understatement on my part.
It’s certainly nice to have QB C.J. Brown back this season which should accentuate the talents even further of all-everything threat Stefon Diggs. However, those two can only go so far on their own.
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Jack is the ACC College Football Writer for Rant Sports. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14RS
