Brandon Minor Explained
Brandon Ricardo Minor (born July 24, 1988) is a former American football running back. He played college football at Michigan from 2006 to 2009. He was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2010, but was released during the final cuts and played on practice squads in 2010 for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts.
At Michigan, Minor finished second on the team in rushing both as a freshman and sophomore and led the team in rushing both as a junior and senior.[1] [2] [3] [4] As a junior, he was an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection by the coaches.[5] He had previously been ranked as the number one high school football fullback in the nation, according to Rivals.com.
He spent his first two years at Michigan serving as one of the primary backups to Mike Hart. In his third year, he emerged from a field of five running backs who were vying to replace Hart as the leading rusher and scorer. He has shared starting responsibilities in his junior and senior seasons. He entered his senior season on the watch lists for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards. ESPN.com ranked him as the 22nd best player and third best running back in the Big Ten Conference before the season started.
Youth career
Minor grew up as a Michigan Wolverines fan. His mother, Julie Gilliam, has pictures of him at age six wearing a Michigan uniform. At age nine, Minor wrote the university to inquire about becoming a Michigan football player. Every year he and his mother watched the Michigan - Ohio State game and rooted for Michigan.[6]
High school
Minor inherited the Varina High School starting varsity team role as a sophomore in 2003,[7] and he gained 209 rushing yards in his first start.[8] That season, he helped his team reach the Virginia Central Region, Division 6 championship (the qualifying game for the Virginia High School League state semifinals).[9] He concluded the regular season as an All-District first-team selection and after the playoffs was selected as a second-team all-region choice.[10] [11] During the season, he rushed for 1,750 yards and 22 touchdowns for the 10 - 2 (7 - 0) Varina Blue Devils.[12] Minor also played varsity basketball as a sophomore.[13] During the season, he once made seven three-point field goals in a game.[14]
As a junior, when Varina's former Capital District offensive player of the year Army Spc. Clarence Adams III died serving the 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division in Baghdad, Iraq, Minor gave up his number 3 to wear Adams' #33 as a tribute.[15] In the District championship game, he rushed for 239 yards on 27 carries, including four touchdown runs.[16] In the subsequent Central Region, Division 6 semifinals, he set a Central Region playoff record by rushing for 296 yards, but his undefeated top-ranked team was upset.[17] He concluded the season as both a first-team all-district and all-Metro Region selection after compiling 2,091 yards rushing and scoring 32 rushing touchdowns (plus 2 receiving touchdowns).[18] [19] [20] He was also selected to the Group AAA Virginia High School Football Coaches Association all-state second-team by the coaches.[21]
Entering his senior season, he was ranked as the sixth best senior football player in Virginia by TechSideline.com.[22] The Roanoke Times described him as "one of the top five recruits in the state" at the time of his August 2005 visit to see the first day of Virginia Tech Hokies football practice. At the time, he was considering Miami, Michigan, Florida, Virginia Tech, Tennessee, LSU and Ohio State.[23] However, he started the season on crutches, due to a torn hip flexor.[24] He returned to the lineup for the team's final regular season game and rushed for 174 yards on 28 carries.[25] Davon Morgan, his cousin, who now plays strong safety for Virginia Tech, was the team's quarterback.[26] [27] Despite missing most of the season, he was still honored as an all-district and all-region selection.[28] [29] [30] His three-year career totals were 4,259 yards and 64 touchdowns.[31] As a graduating senior he was the number one ranked high school football fullback in the nation, according to rivals.com.[32] Following his senior season, he scored the only touchdown in the East-West Virginia High School Coaches Association All-star game.[33]
College career
Lloyd Carr era
In January 2006, Minor selected the University of Michigan.[31] Although he did not enroll in the 2006 Summer semester, he reported to Michigan on June 16 for strength and conditioning training.[34] Minor and fellow freshman Carlos Brown were behind three returning running backs (Mike Hart, Kevin Grady and senior Jerome Jackson) on the depth chart entering the season.[35] Minor was considered the less heralded than Brown,[36] who was regarded as the fastest player on the team.[37] On opening day, only Hart and Grady had more carries than Minor,[38] in part because Jackson, who entered his senior season with 505 career rushing yards, did not dress.[39] In his first carry as a Wolverine, he rushed for 24 yards against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the September 2 season opening game.[5] [39] Nonetheless, the depth chart was not very clear behind Hart.[39] By late September, Minor was clearly third on the depth chart and it seemed that Brown might be redshirted.[40] When Hart left the game due to injury against Michigan State on October 7, Minor scored his first touchdown on a 40-yard run.[41] He had his first 100-yard game on November 4, when he rushed for 108 yards on 12 carries, including a 40-yard touchdown run in a 34 - 26 win against Ball State.[42] [43] As a true freshman member of the 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team, Minor rushed for a total of 238 yards on 42 carries,[44] which was second on the team to Hart.[5]
During April 2007, Grady tore his anterior cruciate ligament and was lost for the season.[45] In August, Brown broke his hand.[46] It appeared Minor was seriously injured on October 13 when he was carted off the field and left the stadium wearing a protective boot on crutches.[47] [48] However, he recovered and for the next two weeks he and Brown combined to replace the injured Hart.[49] He had his second 100-yard game and first 150-yard game on October 27 of that season during the 34 - 10 Little Brown Jug game victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers when he rushed for 157 yards on 21 carries, including a 46-yard run and one touchdown.[50] [51] Although Hart returned to play in the Paul Bunyan Trophy game against Michigan State on November 3, he left the game early and Minor started the second half.[52] Hart missed the next game on November 10, but Brown and Minor had poor performances.[53] [54] In all three of Hart's full game absences, Brown was the starter.[55] As a sophomore on the 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team, Minor improved his rushing totals to 385 yards on 90 carries,[44] which was again second on the team to Hart.[5]
Rich Rodriguez era
In 2008 Rich Rodriguez replaced Lloyd Carr as head coach.[56] In the spring, Brown broke his finger weightlifting and Grady was still trying to get healthy.[57] In early August, it appeared that juniors Brown and Minor would vie for the starting job because fourth-year junior Grady was under suspension related to driving while intoxicated charges.[58] [59] However, in camp it became apparent very quickly that true freshmen Sam McGuffie and Michael Shaw, would have a significant role in the newly installed spread option offense.[60] [61] With both Brown and Minor nursing injuries,[62] McGuffie was tentatively penciled into the starting position on the depth chart.[63]
As a junior member of the 2008 Michigan Wolverines football team, Minor became the team leader in rushing.[5] However, he only started four games, while McGuffie started 6, Brown started 1 and Shaw started 1.[64] McGuffie was the starter until he lost the job to Minor.[65] Minor gave way to Shaw (November 8) and Brown (November 15) as the starter due to his injuries.[66] Minor totalled 533 yards on 103 carries. He had nine rushing touchdowns and added two as a receiver. Of these eleven touchdowns, seven came in a three-week span that included a 117-yard two-touchdown rushing effort against Penn State on October 18 and a 155-yard three-touchdown rushing effort against Purdue on November 1. Sandwiched between these efforts, Minor scored on a 19-yard reception to complement his 55 yards and a rushing touchdown in the Paul Bunyan Trophy game against Michigan State on October 25.[67] The Penn State game was Minor's first career start.[68] During Minor's junior year, he played with a wrist injury that impaired his ability to hold the football with his right arm and his ability to stiffarm opponents.[69] He was impaired by a variety of injuries throughout the season.[70] At the conclusion of the 2008 Big Ten Conference football season, Minor was chosen as an honorable mention all-conference selection by the coaches.[71]
McGuffie transferred to the Rice Owls after the season.[72] As a senior member of the 2009 Michigan Wolverines football team, Minor was named to a pair of watch lists: (Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award).[73] [74] He was also selected by ESPN as the 22nd best player and 3rd best running back (behind Evan Royster and John Clay) in the Big Ten Conference before the season started.[75] [76] Minor missed the first game of the season due to a high ankle sprain. In the second game, which was the 2009 Michigan – Notre Dame rivalry game, he rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries during the 38 - 34 victory over Notre Dame.[77] [78] The ankle sprain hampered him much of the season and caused him to miss the October 17 game against Delaware State.[79] [80] He had a season-high 154-yard, 3-touchdown effort against Purdue on November 7.[77] [81] A shoulder injury kept him out of the last game of the season against Ohio State.[82] Over the course of his collegiate career, he accumulated 20 rushing touchdowns and 1,658 yards.[44] The torn rotator cuff also kept him from participating in the January 23, 2010 East–West Shrine Game.[83]
Professional career
2010
Minor signed with the Chicago Bears on April 24, 2010, after going undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft.[84] He was released on September 1.[85] He then signed with the New Orleans Saints to their practice squad.[86] However, Minor was back with the Bears before being released at the beginning of October and signed by the Indianapolis Colts.[87] Minor was released by the Colts in October.[88] In November, Minor tried out for the Green Bay Packers before ending the season as a member of the Denver Broncos' practice squad.[89]
2011
On September 4, 2011, the Broncos placed Minor on injured reserve.[90] They waived him on October 10.[91] In November 2011, he was "charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute" by the Virginia Commonwealth University police department following a traffic stop. He is scheduled for a traffic court appearance on January 18.[92]
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Michigan Wolverines Statistics - 2006. November 22, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Michigan Wolverines Statistics - 2007. November 22, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Michigan Wolverines Statistics - 2008. November 22, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Michigan Wolverines Statistics - 2009. November 22, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Brandon Minor profile . September 17, 2009 . CBS Interactive . https://web.archive.org/web/20110301102612/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/minor_brandon00.html . March 1, 2011 . dead .
- Web site: Field of Dream - Former Varina star Minor fulfills childhood hope as Michigan back . September 19, 2009. November 16, 2006. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Markon, John.
- Web site: Capital District. August 29, 2003. September 17, 2009. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lewis, Stephen . Tim Pearrell . amp.
- Web site: A Devil Of A Time Expected At Varina. September 17, 2009. September 12, 2003. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Utley, Arthur.
- Web site: Lewis, Defense Key Bird's Victory - Skyhawks Show They Belong As They Reach The State Semifinals. September 17, 2009. November 29, 2003. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Utley, Arthur.
- Web site: All-District Teams. September 17, 2009. November 27, 2003. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: All-Region Football Teams. September 17, 2009. December 18, 2003. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: Capital District. September 17, 2009. September 3, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lewis, Stephen . Arthur Utley . amp.
- Web site: Prep Notes. September 17, 2009. February 5, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lewis, Stephen M.. Tim Pearrell. Arthur Utley. amp.
- Web site: Brandon Minor-Varina Football. September 17, 2009. September 23, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Utley, Arthur.
- Web site: Former Varina Star Adams Will Be Honored By Devils. September 17, 2009. September 10, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Utley, Arthur.
- Web site: Mud Master - Varina RB Minor Churns Out 239 Yards, Four TDs In Victory. September 17, 2009. November 13, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Utley, Arthur.
- Web site: Bird Stuns Varina - Top-Ranked Devils Sunk After Late Stop, TD Pass To Grayson. September 17, 2009. November 20, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lewis, Stephen.
- Web site: All-District Teams. September 17, 2009. November 25, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: All-Region Football Teams - Central Region. September 17, 2009. December 9, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: All-Metro Football - For The Offense .*.*.. September 17, 2009. December 23, 2004. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: Harris Named State's Top Player - Springer Star Joins 109 Central Players On Coaches' All-State Team. September 18, 2009. January 28, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: Virginia Tech Notes. September 18, 2009. August 4, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Harris, Mike.
- Web site: Beamer High On The Hokies After 1st Day. September 18, 2009. August 6, 2005. Roanoke Times. King, Randy.
- Web site: Varina Doesn't Dwell On Loss - With Minor Hurting, Other Players Make Major Contributions. September 18, 2009. September 10, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Bradshaw, Weldon.
- Web site: Springers Taste Reward After Risk - Two-Point Conversion In Second OT Stuns Blue Devils . September 18, 2009. November 12, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lewis, Stephen M..
- Web site: For Morgan, Motivation's At A Premium Blue Devils Junior Saw Chance For Big Year Dissolve Prematurely. September 18, 2009. December 2, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Jeter, Fred.
- Web site: Davon Morgan #2 S . September 18, 2009 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090917224441/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/player/profile?playerId=236830 . September 17, 2009 .
- Web site: All-Region Football Central Region. September 18, 2009. December 8, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: All-District Football Teams. September 18, 2009. November 24, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: Meet The Players. September 18, 2009. December 20, 2005. Richmond Times-Dispatch.
- Web site: Varina's Minor picks Michigan. September 18, 2009. January 21, 2006. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lewis, Stephen M..
- Web site: Brandon Minor. September 17, 2009. Yahoo! Inc..
- Web site: VHSCA Football: Forward Focus. September 18, 2009. July 15, 2006. Daily Press. Jordan, Jason.
- Web site: Top recruits absent from all-star game - Schools offer aid for summer school, pulling players away . September 18, 2009. July 15, 2006. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Pearrell, Tim.
- Web site: Carr is grounded more in offense - He expects running game to improve this season with a healthy Hart, talented backups.. September 19, 2009. August 29, 2006. The Detroit News. Chengelis, Angelique S..
- Web site: Some positions still up for grabs - Unsettled spots on defense are strong safety, cornerback, weakside LB and end. September 19, 2009. August 22, 2006. Ann Arbor News.
- Web site: Fire up the mouse, it's time for Notre Dame-Michigan - Here's your pick: Click on the Wolverines. September 19, 2009. September 12, 2006. The Grand Rapids Press. Becker, Bob.
- Web site: Carr balances running backs - Coach says rule change means fewer plays and opportunities for Hart's backups to get on field.. September 19, 2009. September 5, 2006. The Detroit News. Chengelis, Angelique S..
- Web site: Who's gonna back up Mike Hart? - Grady, Minor, Jackson battle for carries . September 19, 2009. September 9, 2006. Ann Arbor News.
- Web site: New!:Manningham earns back-to-back Big Ten honors. September 19, 2009. September 25, 2006. The Oakland Press.
- Web site: Michigan backs boast confidence, talent. September 19, 2009. October 9, 2006. The Michigan Daily. Singer, Matt.
- Web site: Brandon Minor #4 RB: Game Log 2006. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Ball State 26, Michigan 34. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Brandon Minor #4 RB: Profile. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Michigan's Grady tears ACL. September 19, 2009. April 13, 2007. Detroit Free Press. Snyder, Mark.
- Web site: U-M taliback suffers broken hand in practice. September 19, 2009. August 15, 2007. Detroit Free Press. Snyder, Mark.
- Web site: Michigan RB Mike Hart injured in first half against Purdue. September 21, 2009. October 13, 2007. Associated Press.
- Web site: Hart's status for Illinois unknown. September 21, 2009. October 14, 2007. Ann Arbor News. Fenno, Nathan.
- Web site: Backup tailbacks stand out - Brown, Minor wear down Gophers with career bests in rushing yards. September 21, 2009. October 28, 2007. Ann Arbor News. Bigelow, Pete.
- Web site: Brandon Minor #4 RB: Game Log 2007. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Minnesota 10, Michigan 34. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Hart plays with pain - U-M running back forced to leave game with ankle injury, but he did damage before going.. September 21, 2009. November 4, 2007. The Detroit News. Chengelis, Angelique S. . Dave Dye . amp.
- Web site: With Hart out, ground game never gets going. September 21, 2009. November 11, 2007. Ann Arbor News. Pitts, Antoine.
- Web site: Michigan 21, Wisconsin 37. September 21, 2009. November 10, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: 2007 Football Team. September 21, 2009. May 9, 2009. The Regents of the University of Michigan/Bentley Historical Library.
- Web site: Wolverine pain! Rich Rodriguez opens practice tough. September 21, 2009. March 16, 2008. Detroit Free Press. Snyder, Mark.
- Web site: Running back Carlos Brown suffers broken finger. September 21, 2009. March 24, 2008. Detroit Free Press. Bell, Scott.
- Web site: Brief: Kevin Grady practices despite recent legal troubles. September 21, 2009. August 5, 2008. Detroit Free Press. Snyder, Mark.
- Web site: Tailbacks excited about chance to replace Hart. September 21, 2009. August 10, 2008. Ann Arbor News. Heuser, John.
- Web site: Shaw, McGuffie Michigan gems - Freshmen fit well in spread-option. September 21, 2009. August 13, 2008. The Blade. Vardon, Joe.
- Web site: Walk-on players intrigue Rodriguez - He intends to add more, says bigger roster creates more competitive and openness . September 21, 2009. August 13, 2008. Ann Arbor News. Heuser, John.
- Web site: U-M flips over freshman backs - McGuffie, Shaw have been impressive so far in preseason camp. September 21, 2009. August 19, 2008. The Grand Rapids Press. Heuser, John.
- Web site: U-M's Rodriguez: Starters not determined at QB, RB. September 21, 2009. August 26, 2008. The Detroit News. Chengelis, Angelique S..
- Web site: 2008 Football Team. September 21, 2009. May 9, 2009. The Regents of the University of Michigan/Bentley Historical Library.
- Web site: Ailing Minor wants to play - Bad shoulder kept him out of game vs. N'western. September 23, 2009. November 18, 2008. Ann Arbor News. Heuser, John.
- Web site: Michigan sets single-season futility mark in falling to Northwestern. September 23, 2009. November 15, 2008. Detroit Free Press. Rosenberg, Michael.
- Web site: Brandon Minor #4 RB: Game Log 2008. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: No solace for Michigan in almost avoiding rout. September 23, 2009. October 18, 2008. Detroit Free Press. Sharp, Drew.
- Web site: Minor ready to stiff-arm opponents in '09: Wrist injury held Michigan's Minor back last season. September 17, 2009. May 6, 2009. ESPN.com. Maisel, Ivan.
- Web site: Brief: U-M's Minor 'playing regardless,' but Threet, McGuffie likely out vs. OSU. September 23, 2009. November 17, 2008. Detroit Free Press. Sipple, George.
- Web site: Big Ten Announces 2008 Football All-Conference Teams And Individual Honors: Iowa's Green Named Offensive Player of the Year, Ohio State's Laurinaitis repeats as Defensive Player of the Year.. September 18, 2009. November 24, 2008. CBS Interactive. https://web.archive.org/web/20090918132539/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/112408aag.html. September 18, 2009. dead.
- Web site: Loss of McGuffie won't doom Michigan running backs . November 22, 2009. August 4, 2009. The Michigan Daily. Reid, Andy.
- Web site: Doak Walker watch list snubs Penn State's Royster. September 29, 2009. August 5, 2009. ESPN.com. Rittenberg, Adam. Adam Rittenberg.
- Web site: Big Ten Football Weekly Release September 7, 2009. September 29, 2009. September 7, 2009. Big Ten Conference. March 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220805/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/big10/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/football-20090907.pdf. dead.
- Web site: Ranking the Big Ten: Brandon Minor, No. 22. November 17, 2009. May 14, 2009. ESPN.com. Rittenberg, Adam. Adam Rittenberg.
- Web site: Ranking the Big Ten: Arrelious Benn, No. 1. November 18, 2009. May 14, 2009. ESPN.com. Rittenberg, Adam. Adam Rittenberg.
- Web site: Brandon Minor #4 RB: Game Log 2009. September 18, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: (18) Notre Dame 34, Michigan 38. September 18, 2009. September 12, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Tailback Minor finally is getting healthy. November 22, 2009. October 8, 2009. The Detroit News. Chengelis, Angelique S.. 2C.
- Web site: Grady brothers score a place in Michigan history with TDs . November 22, 2009. October 18, 2009. Detroit Free Press. Snyder, Mark.
- Web site: Purdue 38, Michigan 36. November 22, 2009. November 21, 2009. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Michigan RB Brandon Minor doubtful for Ohio State game . November 22, 2009. November 19, 2009. The Detroit News. Chengelis, Angelique S..
- Web site: Michigan tackle Mark Ortmann working to improve his draft stock. April 26, 2010. January 9, 2010. AnnArbor.com. Birkett, Dave.
- Web site: Bears land undrafted free agents. April 26, 2010. April 25, 2010. Chicago Bears. https://web.archive.org/web/20100426223934/http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=6717. April 26, 2010. dead.
- Web site: Chicago Bears Transactions - 2010. September 7, 2010. ESPN.com.
- Web site: Tory Humphrey released by New Orleans Saints. September 7, 2010. September 6, 2010. Michigan Live LLC..
- Web site: Colts sign Brandon Minor, Mitch King to practice squad. 2010-10-11. Yahoo! Sports.
- Web site: Brandon Minor, DS #16 RB, Michigan. November 2, 2010. The Sports Xchange.
- Web site: Denver Broncos Add Running Back Brandon Minor to Practice Squad . January 15, 2011. December 30, 2010. Bedinger, Sayre. Milehighreport.com.
- Web site: NFL transactions for September 4, 2011 . September 8, 2011 . September 5, 2011 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110909173422/http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/09/05/nfl-transactions-for-september-4-2011 . September 9, 2011 .
- Web site: NFL transactions for October 10, 2011 . October 12, 2011 . October 10, 2011 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120406023916/http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/10/11/nfl-transactions-for-october-10-2011 . April 6, 2012 .
- Web site: Former Varina star, NFL running back faces marijuana charge . https://archive.today/20130204191101/http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/local-crime/2011/nov/28/former-varina-star-nfl-running-back-faces-marijuan-ar-1499741/ . dead . February 4, 2013 . December 8, 2011 . November 28, 2011 . .