Wes Ours

Infobox AFLactive


|width =
caption =
currentteam =Philadelphia Soul
currentnumber =40
currentpositionplain =Running Back / Linebacker
birthdate =birth date and age|1977|12|30
birthplace =Christian, Kentucky
heightft =6
heightin =0
weight =300
debutyear =2004
debutteam =Los Angeles Avengers
college =West Virginia
pastteams =
* Tennessee Titans (2001)
* Indianapolis Colts (2001 - 2002)*
* Pittsburgh Steelers (2003)*
* Los Angeles Avengers (2004)
* Philadelphia Soul (2005 - present)* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
highlights =
* ArenaBowl XXII champion
statweek =17
statseason =2008
statlabel1 =Rushing attempts
statvalue1 =116
statlabel2 =Rushing yards
statvalue2 =347
statlabel3 =Rushing touchdowns
statvalue3 =23
statlabel4 =Receiving touchdowns
statvalue4 =3
statlabel5 =Tackles
statvalue5 =26
statlabel6 =Sacks
statvalue6 =1.5
afl =96012

Wes Ours (born December 30, 1977 in Christian, Kentucky) is an arena football Running back / Linebacker for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He played collegiately at West Virginia University. He was nicknamed "Wes Express" in college because of his ability to run over other players.cite web |url=http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=921878 |accessdate=2007-11-05 |title=Wes Ours |publisher=Arena Football.com] He also was the biggest fullback in the country during his senior season.cite web |url=http://www.arenafootball.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=3500&ATCLID=921878 |accessdate=2007-11-05 |title=Wes Ours |publisher=Arena Football.com]

High school career

Ours attended Westmar High School in Lonaconing, Maryland, where he rushed for 1,423 yards and 26 touchdowns as a senior.

College career

While at West Virginia, Ours played defensive line, offensive guard and fullback. As a sophomore, he started three games at fullback. As a junior, he began the season on the defensive line before being switched to the offensive side where he started three games at left guard. As a senior, he was the largest fullback in college football and rushed 29 times for 77 yards and four touchdowns and caught 14 passes for 170 yards. He only totaled 83 rushing yards with four touchdowns and 199 receiving yards for his career, but he blocked for two record breaking running backs: Amos Zereoue and Avon Cobourne.

Professional career

National Football League (2001 - 2003)

Ours went unselected in the 2001 NFL Draft and signed as an undrafted free agent on April 21 with the Indianapolis Colts. He was then waived by the Colts, and then signed by the Tennessee Titans on September 27. He was cut again, then signed as a free agent by the Colts once more on November 21. He played in one game for the Colts and two games for the Titans in his rookie season, catching one pass for three yards while with the Titans.

In 2002, Ours was with the Colts during their training camp, only to be cut before the season. In 2003, He spent his last season in the National Football League. He signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 23, but was released by the Steelers on August 22, one day after catching the game-winning two-point conversion in a 15-14 preseason victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Arena Football League (2004 - present)

2004-2005

After being released by the Steelers, Ours signed a two year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers on November 23.

In 2004, Ours had more professional troubles. He was placed on the injured reserve list by the Avengers on February 2. He eventually was activated by the Avengers from the injured reserve list on June 3.

In 2005, he played in seven games for the Philadelphia Soul. He had four carries for 10 yards and one touchdown. On the defense, he recorded five tackles, one sack, one pass broken up and one forced fumble.

2006-2008

In 2006, Ours played in 14 games for the Soul, he was also named Offensive Player of the Game once. He had four receptions for 33 yards and one touchdown for the season, and led the team with 50 carries for 130 yards with 11 touchdowns. He scored a total of 13 touchdowns on the season, and recorded 14 total tackles and two fumble recoveries on the defense.

In 2007, Ours played in all 16 games while taking the majority of the rushes. He carried the ball 39 times, for 129 yards and eight touchdowns. He also had 12 receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown. He was first on the team in carries, rushing yards, tied for first with rushing touchdowns, fifth in scoring with 56 points, and seventh with 112 receiving yards.

In the first game of the 2008 season, a victory over the Orlando Predators, Ours scored the first touchdown of the game with a seven-yard reception. In the second game of the season, a victory over the Chicago Rush, he made a 20-yard reception. He finished the season with 13 receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns, and 23 carries for 78 yards and three touchdowns. He also won his first championship on the professional level when the Philadelphia Soul defeated the San Jose SaberCats 59-56 in ArenaBowl XXII.

Career summary

Ours has totaled 347 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns and 29 receptions 240 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns for his career. On the defense, he has totaled 26 career tackles, along with 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Personal life

During the offseason, Ours lives in Keyser, West Virginia

Notes

External links

* [http://www.arenafan.com/players/?page=players&player=3824 Profile at ArenaFan]
* [http://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=OUR428041 Profie] at NFL.com
* [http://football.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=5792 Pittsburgh Steelers profile] at ESPN.com
* [http://westvirginia.scout.com/a.z?s=159&p=8&c=1&nid=3034045 Profile at Scout.com]
* [http://www.wvustats.com/football/player.php?team_id=308&person_id=834 College Stats at WVUStats.com]