2023 Position Preview: The Running Back Room is Deep, Diverse and Ready to Run

Josh Henderson carries the ball at fall practice Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Indiana University running game has not been a reliable weapon for a few seasons now. The Hoosiers averaged just 3.36 yards per carry in 2022. That came after averaging 3.2 yards per carry in 2021 and just 3.13 yards per carry in 2020. You need to go back to 2018 to feel good about the rushing attack (4.41 yards per carry). Some of the lack of success needs to fall at the feet of the running backs but the offensive line is a major culprit as well.

The good news is that Indiana’s two most efficient runners from 2022 return and there is hope the offensive line should improve under new position coach Bob Bostad. Offensive coordinator Walt Bell has some weapons at his disposal and the running game absolutely must improve in 2023 if the Hoosiers are to return to a bowl game.

The Starter(s)

Josh Henderson – Redshirt Senior (second year at IU after transferring from UNC)

The transfer from North Carolina is entering his second season in Bloomington. He’ll enter the campaign as the lead back for the first time in his career. Henderson averaged 4.42 yards per carry on 90 attempts and he scored four touchdowns on the ground. In addition, he had 24 catches for four more scores. Henderson is a very solid all-around back that should get more opportunities this season. The one knock on Henderson is a lack of explosion and top-end speed. His longest run of the 2022 season was 23 yards and he rarely pulled away from second-level defenders. If he can turn a few more eight-yard gains into explosive plays, he becomes a very good running back.

The All-Purpose Weapon - Jaylin Lucas – Sophomore

A lack of top-end speed is not an issue for IU’s all-purpose dynamo and one of the most exciting players in the Big Ten: Jaylin Lucas. The sophomore from Louisiana burst on the scene in his first year at Indiana with two kickoff returns for touchdowns and it’s clear he is a threat every time he touches the ball. He will be a kick returner, a wide receiver and a running back in 2023 and Walt Bell absolutely has to find a way to keep Lucas heavily involved in the game. Lucas’ offensive numbers from 2022 look a bit pedestrian (271 yards, 5.53 yards per carry and only 11 catches) but he was not used much at all until later in the season. Looking at him strictly as a running back, it would be unwise to saddle him with 15 carries per contest. Something like 8-10 carries plus 8-10 targets in the passing game plus his kick return duties seems like a decent recipe for the Hoosiers to start with. This is the player that worries every defensive coordinator going against Indiana’s offense in 2023.

Next Men Up

-Christian Turner – Redshirt Senior (transfer from Wake Forest)

The primary backup for the Hoosiers at running back will be Christian Turner. The senior transfer from Wake Forest seems like a great addition from the transfer portal after he contributed to a strong Wake Forest offense for two straight seasons. Turner appeared in 26 games for the Demon Deacons and had more than 500 yards in both 2021 and 2022. Much like Henderson, Turner is a solid all-purpose back that can run or catch. Again, he doesn’t have blazing speed so finding explosive plays in the ground game is going to be important for Walt Bell to scheme up.

-Trent Howland – Redshirt Sophomore

Trent Howland has eight carries through his first two seasons and a rash of injuries last season forced a move to linebacker. Many assumed Howland would hit the transfer portal due to a lack of opportunity but he is still on the roster and provides some potentially key depth this season. Howland is the biggest back on the roster and at 6’3” and nearly 240 pounds, he could carve out a role as a short-yardage back. Multiple back sets with Howland and Henderson or Howland and Lucas could be an interesting wrinkle for the IU offense.

-David Holloman – Redshirt Sophomore

Howland adds depth and bulk, Holloman adds depth and speed. The redshirt sophomore, originally from Michigan, did not see any game action in 2022 after playing sparingly in 2021. He could be used a secondary kick returner or punt returner and his speed is an element that Henderson, Turner and Howland do not have. With only four full-time scholarship running backs on the roster, all of them will be needed in 2023.

Depth Pieces

-Reece Lozano – Declan McMahon

Reece Lozano is a redshirt freshman from Bloomington and Declan McMahon is the son of Shane McMahon and was a standout at Poly Prep Country Day School in New York. McMahon was co-offensive scout team player of the week once in 2022.

Final Assessment

Several things must change for the Indiana Hoosiers to return to a bowl game in 2023. After a few years of running game futility, Walt Bell and the running backs have to get things back on track. Josh Henderson and Christian Turner are a solid one-two punch with Jaylin Lucas present as an electric change of pace option. Trent Howland and David Holloman add young depth and gives Indiana enough options unless they have particularly bad injury luck. The hope is that a more mobile quarterback can contribute in the running game and an improved offensive line can open up more space. A reasonable goal is to improve the yards per carry average for the season from 3.36 to 4.0 or better. More important than the raw numbers is whether or not the Hoosiers will be able to turn to the running game to consistently keep the offense on schedule and with possession of the ball. Multiple back sets should be utilized at least some by Walt Bell and at least some variation of the attack we saw early in the Purdue game with Dexter Williams would be a refreshing and beneficial change for the running game.