After nearly two years of sitting, he’s back and ready for the gridiron. Ryan Bass transferred to Idaho in 2010 and had to sit out due to NCAA transfer regulations, and then had to sit out half of the 2011 season due to illness.
The California native began his career at Arizona State where he played in six games as a freshman, rushing for over 100 yards. Last season, he developed a serious stomach sickness that sidelined him for a large portion of the year. Bass said the sickness was serious — even life-threatening in some cases.
Offensive coordinator Jason Gesser said no matter how badly Bass wanted to play, his body just wouldn’t let him.
“There’d be certain days where he’d go ‘Coach I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready, get me in there,’ then the next day he could barely stand up,” Gesser said. “It killed him. You could just tell his demeanor and everything and it was tough for him, but he fought through.”
All of Bass’ brothers played college football, including his younger brother Dion who is a cornerback at Idaho.
“It’s great to have my brother here,” Bass said. “We hang out all the time and it’s like having a best friend here.”
Ryan Bass said it was tough to sit out last year, but having his brother around was a big help. Dion Bass said he tried to cheer his brother up whenever he could.
“I just tried to keep his spirits up,” Dion Bass said. “I do everything I can to support him. It was pretty hard, but I was at his house every day because I knew he was feeling gloomy.”
With the help of his brother, Ryan Bass recovered and said he’s feeling better than ever. Gesser said while the brothers may not always appear close, the relationship makes them both better.
“I think it’s big. They try to play it off like they’re not super, super close,” Gesser said. “I think last year, going through his sickness and everything, I think Dion really helped him out a lot.”
Like most siblings, there is a bit of a rivalry. Dion Bass said knowing his brother is always there makes him play all the harder.
“It’s pretty cool. When I’m in and he’s not in it feels like I have to prove myself because I know he’s watching me,” Dion Bass said. “I feel like I do better because I have my brother on the team and it makes me put that extra effort in.”
With a large portion of spring ball finished, Gesser said Ryan Bass and junior James Baker are the top two candidates for the starting running back position.
Ryan Bass said he has a lot of built up energy and wants to get back on the field.
“It’s tough right now. I feel like I’ve been sitting out for two years now,” Bass said. “I’m looking forward to this year. This might be my last year of football so I’m going to leave it all out on the field.”
Regardless of how the rest of the spring plays out, Gesser said the expectations for Ryan Bass are high.
“I’ve talked to him about it. I expect him to be a first-team all-WAC guy,” Gesser said. “He should have that expectation of himself and we expect that out of him too. He has the abilities to do that and he had the opportunity to do that.”
The past two years weren’t what Ryan Bass expected, but he now has the opportunity to make an impact in his senior year and he said he wants to get to next fall and do what he loves — play football.
“It’s going to be big,” Ryan Bass said. “I’m looking forward to it now. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to play some football.”
Kevin Bingaman can be reached at [email protected]