2022 Spring IUFB Position Battles – Running Back

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

Indiana fans knew there would be changes at the running back position. Some change is inevitable, particularly after a disappointing season. However, no one could have predicted the full-scale changeover that has taken place. A few players have exited, several have arrived and Deland McCullough unexpectedly bolted for South Bend to be the running backs coach for Notre Dame. Tom Allen responded by bringing in veteran Craig Johnson to coach this group as well as be the associate head coach. Despite the coaching change, no additional players departed and the Hoosiers enter this spring with a nearly completely new running back room bolstered by a couple of key transfers. How things play out during the spring with a new position coach and a new group of players playing in a completely new offensive system is anyone’s guess.

The Players

Shaun Shivers – Transfer from Auburn

The 5’7” native of Fort Lauderdale appeared in 43 games at Auburn University and he should be a valuable offensive weapon for new offensive coordinator Walt Bell’s offense. He proved at Auburn that he can catch the ball out of the backfield as well as he can run between the tackles. His size makes it difficult for him to be an every-down back but he has tremendous speed, something that was targeted by the IU staff this past offseason. Shivers is going to play quite a bit this coming season and his versatility and speed make it possible to play him in a multi-back set.

Josh Henderson – Transfer from North Carolina

Henderson, originally from New Jersey, played in 23 games at the University of North Carolina on offense and special teams. Henderson carried the ball 41 times with an average of 5.1 yards per carry. Henderson didn’t get a ton of time as a Tar Heel because he was behind would-be NFL running backs but he was a four-star prospect coming out of high school. He is nearly six-feet and 215 pounds and has the size you typically see in Big Ten backs.

Jaylin Lucas – Freshman from Houma, Louisiana

There is possibly no offensive player I am more excited to see than Jaylin Lucas. An all-purpose back from Edna Karr High School in the New Orleans area, Lucas is a dynamic playmaker. He’s a running back, a wide receiver, a returner. Most importantly, he’s a player you must get the ball to and hope he can find a sliver of space. He was a late addition to the Hoosiers, flipping to IU from Tulane and several long-time football observers in Louisiana felt he was a prize that SEC coaches will rue letting escape from the region.

David Holloman – Redshirt Freshman from Auburn Hills, MI

Holloman came to Indiana as a multi-sport athlete and will be entering his third season in the program. 2020 was a free COVID year and he redshirted the 2021 campaign, rushing 11 times for 34 yards and returning three kickoffs. Much like Henderson, Holloman has good size and is a balanced back that will get a chance to earn his way onto the field.

Trent Howland – Redshirt Freshman from Joliet, Illinois

Another running back that redshirted the 2021 season as he recovered from a knee injury he suffered in high school. Howland is a bigger back at 6’3” and 230 pounds. He could fit the role of a short-yardage banger as soon as this season and has the chance to earn himself more snaps if he can show good vision and a bit of speed.

David Ellis – Redshirt Senior from Clinton Township, MI

Ellis is a player that is difficult to gauge. His career, while promising, has been completely derailed by injuries and any time he appears to be carving out a role in Bloomington, another injury jumps up and bites him. Just last season, his season was ended after three games with a season-ending ankle injury. He can return kicks (although IU has added more dynamism and Ellis might not be the best guy for that role any longer), play running back or be a receiver in the slot. If he can stay healthy, a big if, he’s an interesting piece for Walt Bell to try and utilize.

Charlie Spegal – Redshirt Freshman from New Palestine, IN

A few walk-ons departed the running back room this offseason but Charlie Spegal opted to stay. Injuries moved him into the lineup in four games during the 2021 season and he rushed for 62 yards on 19 carries. Spegal was incredibly productive in high school and is an asset as a practice player and a guy you’d expect to occasionally get snaps but hopefully not be relied on consistently in Big Ten play.

Prediction

As I wrote earlier, there have been so many changes and there are so many unknowns with this position and offense that predicting what is going to happen with the division of carries is a fool’s errand. Luckily for everyone, I am nothing if not a fool and making speculative predictions is an adventure I’ll gladly take: IU really wanted Shaun Shivers and one of the reasons they were able to get him is because he believed the way they will utilize him. He’ll be given a larger role than he saw at Auburn, of this we can be certain. I predict Shaun Shivers will end up leading the IU running backs in touches (combined runs and catches) in 2022. I think he’ll be followed by Josh Henderson. I also predict Trent Howland will fill an important short-yardage role in this offense. Finally, I predict Jaylin Lucas will have multiple plays this coming season that flash his potential before he becomes a breakout star in 2023. Gi’Bran Payne is expected to join this running back room this summer and he will probably factor into things for 2022 but I do think the season begins with some multiple back looks (I hope) from Walt Bell and a first-game rotation of Shivers, Henderson, Lucas, Howland and Holloman.