Isaiah Pead Prepared To Carry Heavy Load For Cincinnati Bearcats in 2010

With the offensive attack the Cincinnati Bearcats are likely to possess and the talent at the skill positions, they are certain to put up some huge numbers in 2010. The key to that attack, and the man that will be at the center of it all, is junior running back Isaiah Pead.

With new head coach Butch Jones now in the fold, the Cincinnati offense will have an added dimension this year—a running game. Pead will reap the benefits of the Bearcats running attack, and he is set to officially become a huge part of Cincinnati's offensive plans.

Pead was superb last season despite seeing limited carries in Brian Kelly's spread offense. He totaled 806 yards and nine touchdowns on only 121 carries as a sophomore in 2009. His 6.7 yards per carry average was one of the best in the nation, and he also had 201 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 20 receptions.

This year, Jones has already singled out Pead along with juniors Zach Collaros and J.K. Schaffer as the leaders of this years team. Big things are expected from Pead and the young man from Columbus, Ohio, is ready to deliver like he always has.

Pead was one of the first big name recruits to break the mold and choose Cincinnati over in-state power Ohio State. He had a record breaking career at Columbus' Eastmoor Academy, breaking all the school's rushing records previously held by Archie Griffin.

Pead was a four-year letter winner at running back and defensive back in high school. He was the Division III Ohio state player of the year his senior season after rushing for 2,204 yards and 39 touchdowns to go along with six interceptions. Pead was the Division IV player of the year as a junior after rushing for 1,696 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Did I mention his blazing speed? Pead was also a track star, winning the state championship in the 400-meter dash in 2007.

After contributing as a true freshman in 2008 and stepping into the starting role in 2009, it is now time for Pead to shine in 2010.

Big things are expected in 2010 from this talented junior. So big in fact that shirts have been made in Clifton. These shirts simply state, "You got Pead on."

Those four words say it all. Hopefully Pead will live up to the hype on the T-shirt and help lead Cincinnati to a third straight Big East Championship.

I fully expect him to do so.