Spring Preview –Running Backs Provides IU with Depth and Talent

Stevie Scott (21) returns to the backfield after a 1,000-yard freshman season Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle

Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The Cream and Crimson game is less than two months away! That means it is time for Hoosier Huddle’s spring preview coverage to ramp up. The first article in our preview series is on one of the deepest and most talented position groups on the Indiana roster: running back. A stellar sophomore returns after a terrific debut season, a fellow sophomore is back after showing flashes in his freshman season and a pair of highly-anticipated freshmen are joining the backfield. This cadre of backs gives new offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer a whole lot to work with. I’ll begin by giving a brief breakdown of each player in the running back room, provide a few things to look from the backs during spring practice and then finish with a projected depth chart.

Stevie Scott – Sophomore – 6’2”/236 pounds

We’ll start at the top with the returning starter for the Hoosiers, the bruising Stevie Scott. Scott came to Indiana as a linebacker/running back with an unsure future. Both sides of the ball fought over him but the suspension to Morgan Ellison sealed the decision, Scott was going to be a running back. He initially was operating as a complement to Cole Gest but Gest was injured early in the season and Scott stepped into the lead back role and seized his opportunity. Scott rarely let the first man bring him down and he averaged 94.8 yards per game and five yards per carry, scoring ten touchdowns on the season. He set Indiana true freshman records in yards (1,137), attempts (228) and touchdowns (10). The one area you’d love to see improvement is his ability to be an effective part of the passing game. Scott didn’t show poor hands in 2018 but he was rarely used in that area, catching only 16 passes all season.

Ronnie Walker Jr. – Sophomore – 5’11/206 pounds

Walker, a speedster from Hopewell, Virginia, committed to Indiana as a four-star recruit and he was expected to carry a big load for the Hoosiers in 2018. His carries were limited by the breakout success of Stevie Scott but Walker looked very promising when he got the ball. His totals were not too impressive (32 carries for 141 yards with two touchdowns) but he made a few explosive plays that were potential promises for the future. His ability to break big runs is something IU’s offense sorely needs and it was terrific to see him break a 30-yard touchdown run against Penn State and have a long run for a score against Ball State. Walker is clearly behind Scott but he’s a promising back that should have an important role in 2019.

Cole Gest – Redshirt Junior – 5’8”/194 pounds

Last season’s game one starter is a bit of an unknown after another season-ending injury. Gest was solid during his freshman season and showed a burst when he got the ball. However he injured his foot and was lost for the season after only ten attempts. In 2017, he finished second on the team in yards and attempts. Last season was another frustrating one as he was lost for the year in the opening game, tearing his ACL at Florida International. Gest has shown an ability to get yards but it seems like his bigger impact, thanks to the incoming talent at running back, might be as a quick slot receiver. If he stays at running back, it will be very interesting to see how Kalen DeBoer views and uses his skillset.

Sampson James – Freshman – 6’1”/212 pounds

Being enrolled for the spring and participating in spring practice is a big advantage for any freshman and it should help former Avon High School star Sampson James have an impact in 2019. A four-star prospect coming out of the Indianapolis area high school, James ran for 3,451 yards on 573 attempts. He was ranked as the tenth best running back in the country in the 2018 class and chose Indiana after decommitting from Ohio State. Sampson James showed an ability to be a complete back in high school and his potential is very exciting. His first spring camp is about getting accustomed to the speed and physicality of the college game, getting comfortable with his quarterbacks and learning the new offense of Kalen DeBoer. If he can get himself acclimated, there is no reason Sampson James cannot have a very nice freshman season in Bloomington.

Connor Thomas – Redshirt Sophomore – 5’8”/189 pounds

There are a trio of walk-ons in the running back group and we’ll begin with the oldest, redshirt sophomore Connor Thomas from Clarksville, Tennessee. Thomas joined the program during the 2016 season and redshirted that season. He proved his worth in practice and appeared in five games, rushing three times for six yards. While he did not see the field last season, he stood out on the scout team, earning scout team player of the week honors an impressive four times.

Ahrod Lloyd – Redshirt Sophomore – 5’11”/193 pounds

Lloyd played his high school ball at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis and was highly productive. He chose to be a walk-on at Indiana and redshirted the 2017 season. That season laid a foundation for him though as he was named scout team player of the week four times. Last season, he appeared in nine games, all on special teams. He returned a kick 22 yards against Maryland. Lloyd is a speedier back and it would not be shocking if he earned some carries this season.

Kristian Pechac – Redshirt Freshman – 5’11”/210 pounds

The Bloomington product took a circuitous route to Indiana University. He was going to be playing in 2018 at a junior college but the football program at that school was slated to be shut down so he packed up and “came home”, landing a spot as a walk-on with Tom Allen’s Hoosiers. Pechac looks like a Big Ten running back, standing nearly six feet tall and weighing 210 pounds. He played on special teams against Penn State, Maryland and Purdue so kept his redshirt season and enters 2019 as a redshirt freshman with the potential to earn some carries if he can have a big spring.

The Hoosiers will be adding another running back to the mix in the summer as Ivory Winters heads to Bloomington from Missouri. Winters put up otherworldly numbers in high school and is a very exciting prospect. He looks physically ready to contribute (much like fellow freshman Sampson James) and it will be interesting to see where he fits in.

At this point in time, a guess on the depth chart is just that: a major guess. However, there is no harm in speculating and we will adjust as information from spring practice becomes available. As of today, I am guessing that Stevie Scott will be the starter when Indiana kicks off against Ball State on September 1. His immediate back-up will be Sampson James with Ronnie Walker and Ivory Winters seeing action as well. I think Cole Gest will be used in some type of hybrid slot role that attempts to get him outside the tackles.

Hoosier Huddle will continue to preview positions as we prepare for the opening of spring practice!