A Forgotten Running Back Prospect: Baylor's Terrance Ganaway

It has been well-documented here at Cincy Jungle that the Bengals will be looking to upgrade the running back position this offseason. Now that Cedric Benson has cemented his exit out of Cincinnati with his recent remarks about the club, the Bengals will likely be looking for a running back or two in both free agency and the draft. With a lot of options floating out there for them, it's a buyer's market and they'll have their choice of a lot of quality replacements for Benson.

A lot of fans and experts have thrown out the names of the major candidates to take the job--from veterans like Michael Bush and Mike Tolbert; to rookies like Trent Richardson, David Wilson, Lamar Miller, Doug Martin, and even Isaiah Pead. But, some other prospects who could fit the bill for the Bengals are being lost in the shuffle amongst these other names.

One of those forgotten men is Baylor University running back, Terrance Ganaway. He was an integral, yet overshadowed contributor to their offense and had a huge bowl game against the Washington Huskies. In that Alamo Bowl, Ganaway recorded 21 carries for 200 yards with five touchdowns and 9.5 yards per carry. On the 2011 season, Ganaway had a great year with 250 carries for 1,547 yards, 21 touchdowns and a 6.2 yards per carry average. So why isn't Ganaway a hotter commodity and seen as a fit with the Bengals?

At nearly six feet tall and 241 pounds, Ganaway isn't seen to be the type of back with "breakaway speed". In the 2011 season, Ganaway really only had three big breakaway runs--one for 89 yards in the Alamo Bowl, another 80-yarder against Missouri, and one for 41 yards against Stephen F. Austin. Aside from that minimal amount of big plays, Ganaway only had six receptions in 2011--even with the eventual Heisman Trophy winner playing quarterback in Robert Griffin III.

In fact, Chad Reuter of nfl.com put Ganaway on his list of dozen players at the Souting Combine with "something to prove":

Terrance Ganaway, RB, Baylor: Looking at the 5-foot-11 1/2, 241-pound Ganaway, one would expect him to record slow times during his time on the Lucas Oil Stadium turf. While his 40-yard dash time may be average, he could surprise some people by turning in an explosive 10-yard split and putting up quick times for his size in the agility tests.

Ganaway is projected to land with a team anywhere from the late second to fourth rounds. He is one of the players whose stock could really be affected by the performance he puts in this week at the Combine. If the Bengals opt to wait on a running back after the first round and/or some of the other above-mentioned prospects have been drafted, Ganaway could be the guy that fits the role that Tolbert or Bush could, given his size.

Should Ganaway's stock drop and he falls on draft day, the Bengals could also grab him in the middle rounds even if they've grabbed a speedier player like Miller, Wilson or Pead.