The Hoosiers Are Loaded Again at Running Back in 2016: A Closer Look at IU's Stable of Ball Carriers
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Devine Redding leads a very deep and extremely talented backfield for the Hoosiers Image: IndyStar.com
Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)
Since Kevin Wilson and running backs coach Deland McCullough arrived on campus in Bloomington they have always had a solid running back on the roster. Starting in 2011, it was Stephen Houston, now with the Baltimore Ravens, who ran for 802 yards that season and sits at 10th on the all-time rushing yards list for IU with 2,304. Behind Houston was Tevin Coleman, who is battling for the starting spot for the Atlanta Falcons, who would become an All-American and the fifth all-time leading rusher in Hoosier history finishing with 3,219 yards in three seasons before leaving for the NFL. In 2015 Jordan Howard was tasked with filling the shoes of Coleman and continuing the run of great running backs coached by McCullough. Howard, a transfer from UAB, did not disappoint. He ran for 1,213 yards and nine scores in just nine games after being hampered by injuries before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Now, Wilson and McCullough have to replace yet another NFL bound running back for a program that is quickly becoming a hot bed for talent in the backfield under McCullough’s tutelage. This year they do return a 1,000-yard rusher in junior Devine Redding, along with a player Wilson called the best on the team in Camion Patrick, and several talented youngsters who are returning from injury, as well as the hefty true freshman Tyler Natee, and true freshmen Cole Gest and Kiante Enis. So let’s take a closer look at the Hoosiers’ stable of running backs that will take the field in 2016.
Devine Redding, The Bell Cow
Believe it or not Redding actually carried the ball more times than Jordan Howard last season, totting the rock 226 times in mostly a back-up role (four starts). After running for 1,012 yards and becoming the third running back in two years to hit that 1,000-yard milestone, Redding will look to continue his scorching finish to 2015 as he takes over for Jordan Howard to begin the 2016 season.
Redding gives the Hoosiers a back with the capabilities of carrying the load and being productive while doing so. However, which Redding will show up? While he finished the year with flourishing with three straight 100-yard performances including 227 yards in the bowl loss, Redding struggled in the team’s first six games rushing for only 340 yards. He only averaged 2.13 yards per carry against Ohio State and Penn State as quarterback Nate Sudfeld missed time both weeks and he just couldn’t find holes to run through. Indiana will need him to improve his vision and build on the 4.5-yard per carry average he had last season.
If Redding struggles to get going, there are plenty of weapons behind him, but if Redding is the back we saw against Maryland, Purdue and Duke, Indiana should not have an issue giving him the ball 25-plus times a game.
Camion Patrick, The Ace In The Hole
Hoosier fans have been itching to see what the player Kevin Wilson heralded as the best on the team can bring to the table. They will likely need to wait until the start of Big Ten season for Camion Patrick to join the running back rotation as he recovers from a knee injury suffered in the spring.
When Patrick is healthy he is a combination of Tevin Coleman and Jordan Howard. He has the speed to leave defenders in the dust and the bulk to throw them out of the way like ragdolls. Fans should expect the coaching staff to ease Patrick back into the lineup and limit his carries to take some pounding off his knee by putting him at wide receiver. Whether at running back or receiver, Patrick gives the Hoosiers a legitimate homerun threat when he touches the ball. Coaches, like the fans, are ready to see what he can do when the lights come on.
Returning To The Mix
Mike Majette
Mike Majette will look to fight for major carries in 2016 after limited duty in 2015. Image: IDS News
Majette showed glimpses of what he can bring to the Hoosiers backfield during his freshman season when he racked up 181 yards rushing, 44 yards and a touchdown receiving, and 63 yards on kick returns. Mike Majette can do it all and this year he is back 100 percent healthy.
At 5’11” and 207-pounds, Majette gives the Hoosiers a very talented number two running back, who can be used in all facets of the offense. Majette is also listed as a primary kick returner on Kevin Wilson’s first depth chart, a position where IU could use a spark. Expect Majette to get at least 10-15 touches a game, especially as the Hoosiers break in a new starting quarterback.
Alex Rodriguez
While only appearing in seven games as a redshirt freshman, Rodriquez become a legend when he scored a touchdown against Duke in the home stadium of the baseball player who shares his name. He also may be best known from his videos on Twitter of him squatting 600 pounds.
In his limited duty Rodriquez ran for 35 yards and a touchdown and was a solid special teams player forcing a fumble and recording a couple tackles. His role may expand this season as the Hoosiers may lean on the run a little bit more early in the season to help ease the quarterbacks into action. He could potentially see more touches if IU goes with a heavier package. Rodriquez will also get more time on special teams.
Ricky Brookins
Brookins is an interesting piece for IU as the coaches moved him to slot in the spring to try and get him used to catching the ball more often. Brookins could give IU the roster flexibility they need to wear teams down by not having to substitute on offense.
Last season Brookins was used primarily on kickoff returns averaging 17.2 yards on 10 returns and running for 72 yards on 10 carries in just seven games. This year, IU will deploy Brookins all over the field on offense. He will definitely see the field more in 2016.
Old Faces in a New Places
Devonte Williams
Known as the “Matrix”, Williams came to IU as one of the most exciting offensive players in the 2015 signing class and a guy that McCullough “fought to get here”, however he was enlisted at corner after and end up playing in three games with one start before being lost for the season to a knee injury. He put up five total tackles and returned 10 kicks for 204 yards. The good news is Williams received a medical redshirt and got the year back.
This season Williams will be back on offense as a running back this season, switching back in the spring. Williams has speed to burn and can develop into that home run threat the Hoosiers need. Like Brookins, he can be used in the slot and is listed as a kick returner, forming a solid duo with Mike Majette to jump-start that phase of the game.
The redshirt freshman is “way better in pass protection than you’d think, because he is so explosive and throws his hips into you. He’s slippery in the hole, he can put his foot in the ground and run away from guys, makes moves. So again, he is someone who brings a different dimension to what we do, but he is definitely going to help us” said McCullough.
Clyde Newton
Clyde Newton looks to have made a seamless transition to running back.
Another player switching sides of the ball is former linebacker Clyde Newton, a change that was announced by Kevin Wilson at Big Ten Media Days. Newton was a pretty darn good linebacker in 2015 finishing with 50 tackles and two tackles for loss in 13 starts at the Sam linebacker position.
There were a couple factors that precipitated the change of position from Newton. First, Indiana’s new defensive scheme only uses two linebackers and those spots are likely going to Marcus Oliver and Tegray Scales, so the opportunity to get on the field shrunk there. Secondly, Newton wanted to make the switch.
He played running back at Charlotte High School where he ran for 1,938 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior. Wilson has always said that players should do what is best for them, in terms of positions, because it is what is best for the team. Finally, Newton gives IU a bigger back, at 6’1” 225, who can help them out in the red zone and in short yardage situations.
Newton has looked fluid as a runner during camp and should see carries. How many will he see?
“Clyde’s going to play.” McCullough said bluntly, “Clyde has fit in easily, seamlessly. He did a good job this summer of studying and learning what he needs to learn to be successful at that position. I have been pleasantly surprised once I got him on the field in how he performed. I knew he had a very physical mentality, but it was good to see him work within the technical aspects of the running back scheme and have some success.”
The Freshman
Tyler Natee
Natee has been the toast of the town during fall camp as Kevin Wilson has compared him to former Wisconsin legend Ron Dayne. He is listed at 6-foot and 260-pounds, but Wilson said he tips the scales at 280. Despite his size, Natee has great footwork and has the ability to become a fan favorite as well as an impact player early on in his Hoosier career.
“Tyler Natee gives you a very big strong guy. Smart, played quarterback. Understands the offense and just trying to establish what his role is going to be.” Says McCollough. Plus, tackling a runner who is 280 pounds late in the game does not sound like fun for defenses. He is the type of player that should help IU become more efficient in the red zone. He can line up at tailback, quarterback, or be a blocking fullback paving the way to pay dirt.
Cole Gest
Fellow freshman Cole Gest will try and make his way into a very crowded backfield. If he ends up not playing in 2016 it is not due to a lack of talent, but more to how many touches can he get to make the year worth burning a redshirt for.
“Cole is very strong, extremely explosive, big chip on his shoulder, high confidence. He brings a winning mentality from a very strong program. He gives us something in space, strong enough to run through holes, and he has home run speed” McCullough gushed about Gest.
Kiante Enis
Kiante Enis was a signing day flip as he had de-committed from Michigan shortly before signing with Indiana. McCullough calls Enis a “tall, strong athletic kid who has the ability to help us on several levels”. While it is fun to think about how the Hoosiers will use a guy like Enis, the running backs coach said that the main mission is “just finding out where his athleticism will help us most.”