Back in 2008, Darryl Whiting was called off the sidelines and thrown into his first college game as a mere freshman. Though his coach would later admit that it was “probably a mistake that we played him,” by the end of the season, the rookie running back had gotten to play in one other game, rushing for a total of 44 yards.
These days, no one makes a mistake when they put Whiting on the field. He is now a 6-foot-3 senior weighing 235 pounds and unquestionably Fordham’s top running back. For the last two years, he’s been the Rams’ top rusher, carrying the the ball 681 yards in 2009 and 771 in 2010.
Often, football players don’t get significant playing time until their junior or senior year, but Whiting was hard to keep off the field.
“He still had a very good running back in front of him as a sophomore and a junior,” said head football coach Tom Masella. “But it was just too hard to keep him on the bench last year.”
Over the years, Whiting has developed into an incredibly strong running back who looks to be a big threat for Columbia when the Lions take on the Rams this weekend.
“When he came in here, he had a lot of ability but it wasn’t refined, and certainly along the way he’s probably put on 35 pounds,” Masella said. “He’s gotten stronger, he’s gotten bigger, and he’s learned the game of football. “
With Whiting’s size, experience, and determination, Lions head coach Norries Wilson will spend a lot of time planning defensive coverages around the running back.
When the two teams met last year, Whiting had 11 carries totaling 44 yards, which was still second-best after Rams’ senior quarterback Xavier Martin.
Whiting also scored one of his eight touchdowns on the season against the Light Blue in what would eventually turn out to be the game-winning play, putting Fordham up 16-9 with five minutes left on the clock.
This year, Whiting should be the big man on the field representing the Rams—and he’s prepared. Part of his plans for the season involve one-upping himself once more. He wants to not only lead the team in rushing once again, but also to pick up more yardage than in either of the last two years.
“Last year I was coming off surgery,” Whiting said. “So when I came back, I was kind of having minor injuries like hamstring pulls … but this year my lower body is much healthier.”
Even with the injury, Whiting has been a real contribution to Fordham’s offense.
“He has been an outstanding player for us down the stretch last year,” Coach Masella said. “He played as well as any running back around, so Whiting is a big part of our offense and we hope he’ll continue to be a big part of our offense. … He’s come a long way from four years ago but he’s going to carry a load for us.”
If Whiting is truly recovered and up to the task of a full, healthy season, he has the potential to be an explosive force on the field against the Lions as well as the rest of Fordham’s opponents this season.
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