Throughout the 2015 season, Maryland was short on rays of hope heading into the 2016 season. One of those rays was Ty Johnson, then a freshman running back, who showed flashes of explosiveness and averaged 7.1 yards per carry on 35 attempts.
Johnson, out of Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Md., was rated as a three-star back on Rivals.com and was lightly recruited by schools in Power Five conferences. But his athleticism, and his speed in particular, was immediately evident as a Terp; he ran for 83 yards during his first game as a freshman last year against Richmond.
Johnson bulked up during the offseason and has had a productive sophomore season, leading the Terps in rushing through 10 games with 656 yards. He's averaging 8.5 yards per carry and has rushed for four touchdowns. Johnson was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts against Purdue Oct. 1, when he rushed for 204 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
