I thought our RBs were average. They proved me wrong. Not elite maybe, but Hemby and Black sure produced.
We should be as good or better in the run game, but last year was a nice bar to set. Excited to see who the two (I am assuming) bell cows end up being. We have at least three, probably four, in the mix for PT.
I'm not sure if it was intentional or not last year, but it seemed like they held Kaelon back some earlier in the year to set him up for a monster playoff run. Not necessarily statistically (in the sense of a massive amount of yards), but he was an absolute wrecking ball against some of the top teams in the country. I have to think what he showed that last 1/4 of the season might have gotten him drafted.
Ohio State: 16 for 69 yards
Bama: 15 for 99 yards, 1 TD, 1 catch for 11 yards
Oregon: 12 for 63 yards, 2 TDs
Miami: 17 for 79 yards
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/kaelon-black-1/gamelog/2025/
I think the season is going to end up with Martin being one of the top-2 lead backs. I'm not sure about the other two, but that kid averaged 6.5 YPC and was consistently a threat to break a big play.
Found this RB statistical analysis by Galen at Crimsoncast very informative.
My bet is on Khobie Martin and Turbo Richard . I know Beebe is a talent and looked great out of the gate last year, just not as sure coming off of injury.I think the season is going to end up with Martin being one of the top-2 lead backs. I'm not sure about the other two, but that kid averaged 6.5 YPC and was consistently a threat to break a big play.
And I wonder if we will throw to the backs more? We have a great receiving corps, but with Cig's and Shanahan's controlled attack I've always wondered why few swing passes or outlet routes. Turbo showed good hands at Boston College.
Breakdown was informative. Running the ball pretty even. When it comes to blocking results and experience, run or pass, it's all LBjr. He'll get the fattest share of opportunities to make it happen.
It'll come down to who can do all the little things to stay on the field. Who blocks, who holds onto the ball and all those other factors that go into it.
We'll see how it shakes out in camp, but it's a very similar backfield the last three years. And Cig distributes the ball fairly evenly between the top 2 backs and then the third is usually used a bit less.
Thank you for reading Hoosier Huddle
@middawg my thought is, let them talk! The more of an issue they make it the more of a QB god Cig looks like..good luck prying QB recruits away then!