Craig Nelson is Sprinting Under The Radar at Running Back
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Craig Nelson has folks checking their roster sheets during practice Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
The 2017 season was a frustrating one for IU football fans as the Hoosiers looked great at times but ultimately failed to reach a bowl game. One of the primary reasons for the 5-7 record was a lackluster running game that was forced to rely on inexperienced freshmen and an offensive line that was below IU’s recent standards. Heading into 2018, Indiana fans understandably expect much more from the rushing attack.
The majority of the chatter surrounding during the offseason and this Spring surrounds incoming 4-star freshman Ronnie Walker and the return of sophomores Morgan Ellison and Cole Gest (redshirt sophomore). However, the play of a redshirt freshman from Florida has caught the eyes of observers and IU coaches and it’s clear IU has more to work with than just Ellison, Gest and Walker.
“Craig (Nelson) is doing a tremendous job actually, so I don’t know why I forget Craig’s name,” running backs coach Mike Hart said. “He’s done a great job out here. I think he is probably one of the biggest guys I am happiest about. He redshirted last year and he has shown a lot of good things out here in spring ball.”
Craig Nelson, a 5’10” and 183-pound speed merchant from mighty Booker T. Washington High School in Florida, was somewhat of an afterthought to most when he joined the 2017 recruiting class. IU fans knew help was needed at running back and the majority of fan focus was understandably given to Morgan Ellison.
Nelson came to Bloomington having played just one year of running back in high school and it was clear he was a redshirt candidate as he needed to fill out his frame a bit before competing in the Big Ten. Look closer and the reasons to be excited are clear though. After starting on defense for his sophomore and junior seasons, Nelson was given a shot at running back and excelled, rushing for more than 1,000 yards and scoring a total of 15 touchdowns. He ran a 4.5 40-yard dash in high school and has the game-breaking speed the Hoosiers could desperately use. After a redshirt season and an offseason to get stronger, Nelson is ready to contribute.
“Now with a guy like Craig (Nelson), Craig went through training camp last year, so he knows what to expect. He knows the day-to-day process of how we do things and what is expected,” Hart said.
The expected starter at running back has noticed Nelson’s play and mentioned him to the media, “Craig Nelson, he’s doing great. He was redshirting and I think he’s going to be pretty good too, so I am pretty excited about the whole room,” Morgan Ellison said.
Nelson has a lower body that is thicker than you expect and his lower body strength provides him with the ability to be more than just a speed guy that is a threat on the outside. Morgan Ellison has been the standout as his leaner frame has made him look more explosive without sacrificing much of his trademark power. He seems the heavy favorite to win the starting job. Cole Gest has also garnered praise and he’ll factor heavily into the running back rotation. Fans would be wise not to forget about Nelson though.
The redshirt freshman is the logical choice to take over kick returning duties and IU fans can expect him to upgrade the results at that spot. As of now, based on the comments from coaches and players and the repetitions he is receiving during practice, Nelson figures to also be a running back that sees plenty of work on offense as a running back that the coaches hope can provide an explosive, big-play element that has been sorely lacking in the running game for the past two seasons. While Craig Nelson is currently an unknown to Hoosier fans, it seems likely that will change once the 2018 season gets underway.
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