Morgan Ellison's Suspension is an Opportunity for Others to Step Up
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Indiana will have to shuffle players around in 2018 Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Indiana University announced the indefinite suspension of sophomore running back Morgan Ellison. The details surrounding the suspension have not become public but indefinite suspensions typically are not short-term and it is reasonable to think IU will be without their expected starter at running back for the entirety of the season.
This cannot be spun positively. Losing Ellison before a down is played is a loss to the overall talent and depth of a position that IU is hoping to lean on this season as they try to improve the running game. However, Indiana is not without options and several players just saw their roles increase.
The player that I believe is most directly impacted is true freshman Stevie Scott. Ellison was a big body with a bruising running style. Scott is the only other big back on the roster and I think he will now be called upon to handle the tough running that was going to fall to Ellison. Coaches have been very pleased with Scott’s play in Fall camp and he was already looking like a player that would have a significant role in 2018. In my opinion, he just became much more important.
IU will also probably need to increase the load for guys like Cole Gest, Ronnie Walker, Mike Majette, Ricky Brookins and Craig Nelson. Does losing Ellison mean Cole Gest will get 15 more carries each game? Absolutely not. But the carries Ellison was going to receive will need to go somewhere as I don’t think the Hoosiers have any plans to abandon their reliance on the running game. Look for the aforementioned players to each see a small uptick and I think IU will have a true “ride the hot hand” approach to the running back position. That is, unless one player emerges as a clear number one option.
This could force the coaching staff to get creative as well. We could see someone like Reece Taylor get into the mix out of the backfield. Ricky Brookins, a reliable pass-catching senior running back, is someone I don’t believe should be counted out.
As I wrote earlier, the loss of Morgan Ellison is not a good thing and it is not something that was at all expected. That being said, the success or failure of the running game is likely going to fall at the feet of the offensive line, with or without any one running back. If more backs fall as the season wears on, IU could find themselves in a bad spot in the backfield. For now, though, it is time for the remaining tailbacks and the offensive line to seize this moment.