Countdown to Kickoff: 23 Days (Alex Rodriguez)

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

#23

There are now 23 days remaining until the Indiana Hoosiers kick-off the 2016 season in Miami against the Florida International Golden Panthers. Join us each day for each part of our 100-day countdown to the opener! Today we look at Alex Rodriguez, and no, he’s not retiring. Kahlil Bryant will also be wearing number 23 for IU, we covered him earlier in our countdown.

Alex Rodriguez (Redshirt Sophomore)

-    Height: 5’10”
-    Weight: 225 lbs. 
-    Position: Running Back
-    Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

While one Alex Rodriguez will be playing his final game as a Major League Baseball player on Friday night at Yankee Stadium, another is looking to build on his only game at Yankee Stadium where he ran for 16 yards and a touchdown in the Pinstripe Bowl. 

Rodriguez is a local product out of Lawrence Central in Indianapolis where he was named all-state and to the Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 after running for 1,303 yards and 21 touchdowns. He led the team to an undefeated season at 15-0 and a Class 5A state title.

He walked on to the Hoosier team in 2014 and redshirted his first year. Last season, Rodriguez saw action in seven of the Hoosiers 13 games rushing for 35 yards on 12 carries highlighted by his Pinstripe Bowl touchdown. He was also a factor on special teams making two tackles and forcing a fumble.

This season, Rodriguez is part of a very deep and talented running back stable. He has a chance to become a bigger contributor in the offense and on special teams. Rodriguez will fight for carries with guys like Ricky Brookins and Tyler Natee. He could become an important cog on kick coverage units as he is both strong enough to take on blockers and fast enough to chase down returners. 

Share any memories or recollections you have of Alex Rodriguez as a player in the comments section (or on the message boards) and be sure to come back to Hoosier Huddle each day during our countdown!