Countdown to Kickoff: 34 Days (Devine Redding)

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Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)


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There are now 34 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 the player who will try to follow in the foot steps of Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard, Devine Redding.

Devine Redding (Junior)

-Height: 5’10”
-Weight: 208 pounds
-Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio
-Position: Running Back

Usually when a team does not return their starting running back because they left early for the NFL, there is a sense of uneasiness. However, that is not the case for the 2016 Indiana Hoosiers as they can plug in another 1,000-yard running back in as junior Devine Redding looks to ride the momentum from a strong final three games of 2015 into another 1,000-yard season in 2016. 

Redding came to IU as an under the radar running back from Glenville High School, who is coached by the legendary Ted Ginn Sr. Redding had a solid senior season for Glenville as he accounted for over 650 all-purpose yards the last seven games of his senior season and ran for 1,100 yards and 18 touchdowns at Mineral Ridge (Ohio) High School as a junior.

Redding played immediately as a freshman for Indiana behind Tevin Coleman and D’Angelo Roberts in 2014. He played in 10 games and rushed for 118 yards on 29 carries and scored one touchdown. After Coleman and Roberts departed Indiana, Redding stepped into a larger role and had a breakout season as a sophomore. 

Last season Redding played in all 13 games starting in four as Jordan Howard nursed various injuries. It was a tale of two seasons for Redding as he rushed for 495 yards in the first 10 games before finishing on a roll accounting for 517 yards in the final three to finish with 1,012 yards to become the 17th Hoosier all-time to reach that mark. He finished the year with nine touchdowns as well.

Redding should start the year as the number one option at running back. The biggest question Hoosier Nation faces with the junior is which Redding are they going to get? The one who rushed for 495 yards in 10 games or the dynamo who took over the reigns against Maryland, Purdue, and Duke for 517 yards? 

Redding is drawing some national attention as he was listed on the Doak Walker Award watch list prior to the 2016 season and has been on a number of All-Big Ten lists as well.

Share any memories or recollections you have of Devine Redding 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!