‘Three Deadly Weapons’: Martin and IU Backfield Ready to Roll

Curt Cignetti has a clear strategy for his running backs: get multiple quality backs, split carries to keep the running backs fresh while wearing down the defense and deliver one of the top rushing attacks in the country. The strategy has been consistent over multiple seasons and it is impossible to question the results.

Three seasons ago, Kaelon Black and TySon Lawton both carried the ball ten times a game for James Madison while quarterback Jordan McCloud added 7.38 carries per contest. In 2024, Justice Ellison had 159 carries, TySon Lawton had 141 and Kaelon Black had 36 as each back averaged better than 4.7 yards per rush. Last season, it was 230 rushes for Roman Hemby, 186 for Kaelon Black and 78 for Khobie Martin as he often operated as “the closer” against fatigued defenders.

Now a year older and more mature, Khobie Martin spoke to the media on Friday and was asked about the benefits a three-headed monster at running back has for the Indiana Hoosiers.

“First off, it keeps everybody fresh. You know, you can beat and bruise the defense,” Martin said. “You know, you got somebody like Lee running through everybody. Turbo, he can do everything on the field, defenses don’t know what to watch for when we get in the game. We got three deadly weapons in the backfield.”

For Martin, the third-year player from Fishers High School in Indiana, the benefits of having a strong group of running backs goes beyond just the results fans see during games. He specifically mentioned how the veterans around him have pushed and improved him.

“Kaelon (Black) and Ro (Roman Hemby) were great leaders, right? So Lee (Beebe) and Turbo (Richard), they already have a lot of experience. I can look up to them and say, “Okay, let me learn from what they see on the field, whatever holes they read, you know how they study and watch film,”” Martin said. “A running back room provides great competition but also help me to improve my game. I’ve improved in a lot of areas. Pass protection, for one. Receiving was definitely one of them as well. But, you know, I think I grew a lot in that area.”

Of course, improvement also has to come from the individual and Khobie Martin took it upon himself this past offseason to be in the best shape he could be. With a smile on his face, Martin spoke about getting rid of his “baby fat” and toning down in order to be lighter on his feet and improve his speed. The biggest thing he changed was taking on meal preparation and improving what was going into his body. The result, Martin says, “took his body composition to “a different level” as he prepares for what should be a big increase from the 78 carries he saw a season ago.

The intention for Curt Cignetti and the Indiana offense is clear. Turbo Richard, Lee Beebe and Khobie Martin will be fed the ball consistently in an effort to hammer opponents into submission. Defenses know IU’s running game is coming but knowing it is only half the battle and thus far, no defense has found a good way to stop it.