David Ellis: Dynamic Weapon Ready to be Deployed in 2020
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David Ellis Image: Amanda Pavelka Hoosier Huddle
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Heading into the 2019 season, the Indiana Hoosiers had a running back room filled with talent, potential and depth. Ivory Winters left before his freshman season began, Cole Gest exited stage left and then after the season, Ronnie Walker transferred out. The attrition left IU with only two scholarship running backs with any type of experience and one scholarship true freshman. Stevie Scott III and Sampson James are a formidable one-two punch and newcomer Tim Baldwin Jr. should be a nice addition but having only three scholarship running backs is a scary situation for an offense that wants to emphasize running the ball. Indiana’s coaches scoured the graduate transfer market and even looked at adding another running back to the freshman recruiting class. Ultimately though, they feel the best answer was already on campus. The decision was made to switch sophomore wide receiver and all-purpose athlete David Ellis to running back.
A speedy and dynamic player from Michigan, Ellis was considered by many to be a potential impact player as a freshman in 2019. He did not disappoint as he flashed his potential as a weapon at kick returner, receiver and running back at various points of the season. His biggest game was the November contest at Penn State as Ellis caught seven passes for 85 yards against a top ten defense. Ultimately, running backs coach Mike Hart felt Ellis’ skill with the ball needed to be utilized in many ways.
“David’s one of the best athletes on the team,” Hart told the media at a Zoom teleconference earlier this week. “I think if you ask anybody, they’ll tell you that. As you know, he’s the starting kickoff returner. He played slot last year and in the backfield. He played running back in high school, was recruited as a running back/athlete. We’re going to get him on the field wherever we need him. He’s an explosive guy that we need to find a way to get the ball to in whatever way we can.”
The running game was okay last season, particularly when you factor in the injuries of both Stevie Scott and Sampson James and the loss of veteran Coy Cronk early in the year. However, it needs to be better and Mike Hart knows the pieces are in place to fully realize that.
“The O-line is good enough, the running backs are good enough. It comes down to us, the staff, in putting in the correct game plan to get these guys where they need to go and utilize their talents,” Hart said.
Nick Sheridan, IU’s new offensive coordinator, will need to find a way to improve on IU’s 3.63 yards per attempt from a season ago if the Hoosiers are to take the next step as a program. Getting above four yards per carry is the minimum expectation and hope for an offense that has all the pieces to excel as a unit. With Michael Penix at quarterback and a talented group of receivers, an effective and powerful running game would put IU’s offense near the top of the Big Ten. If that is to happen, it will take a good year running, catching and returning kicks from David Ellis. He’s one of the best athletes on the team and the coaches are counting on that to be unleashed on the Hoosiers opponents this fall.