Holding his own

Everything about Ryan Houston is meant to intimidate.

His size at 6 feet 2 inches 245 pounds is imposing. His powerful bulldozing running style is threatening.

And yes" even his 26 tattoos are meant to bully.

""I think it causes fear for other people" Houston says. They're like ‘Look at that dude he's a sophomore" and he's got all these tattoos.'""

But Houston" who leads UNC with seven rushing touchdowns uses his many tattoos for more than just scaring would-be tacklers — he also honors family members and motivates himself on and off the field.

Houston began getting ink when he was 15 years old. And with each new tattoo" a new idea was spawned for more body art.

A tattoo was even born out of discouragement for the habit.

""My mom said" ‘You're getting too many tattoos"'"" Houston says"" pointing to a name on his right wrist. ""So I got one of her name" Kim" here.""

The ink multiplied"" and Houston now has shrines and reminders all over his body.

A glance at his left shoulder reminds Houston to ""hold my own."" And it only takes a look farther down his arm to see that he is an ""MOB"" — a man of business.

Other tattoos honor Houston's family members — both of his parents"" two sisters and a grandmother.

The sophomore says he doesn't think all of his body art will limit any potential opportunities in his future.

""Hopefully" football's going to be my job he says. If I don't make it" I'll just go to a corporation with long sleeves and a collared shirt.""

And even though Houston put the tattoos on hold for football season"" he plans to continue

getting more in January.

Just don't ask what he has in store next.

""I'm getting my whole back done" he says. But I don't like to tell people what tattoos I'm going to get" because then I don't get them if I tell people.

""I'm going to keep it a surprise.""


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