2024 Countdown to IUFB Kickoff: 22 Days (Kaelon Black)

Written by T.J. Inman

We are closing in on just three weeks until Indiana Football kicks off the 2024 season against the FIU Golden Panthers. Today is a double header of countdown profiles and the second player is running back Kaelon Black.

Kaelon Black

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia (Salem High School) – James Madison transfer

Class/Position: Redshirt Junior/Running Back

Perhaps no position group underwent a more drastic transformation during the offseason than the running backs. There are no scholarship running backs remaining from the 2023 roster and IU added a total of five transfers plus one incoming freshman. For lack of a better term, Curt Cignetti and his staff hit the reset button on the running back position. One of the first dominoes to fall in the transfer portal window for IU was James Madison running back Kaelon Black. The redshirt junior appeared in 27 games for the Dukes  over his four seasons with the 2023 season being his major breakout. He appeared in all 13 games and started in 12 as he led JMU with 637 yards rushing and 254 yards receiving. 

Kaelon Black is originally from Salem High School in Virginia and he lettered in track and field, basketball and football for his school. Black came to Indiana along with fellow JMU backs Ty Son Lawton and Solomon Vanhorse and his familiarity with Mike Shanahan’s offense has helped him be a leader for the group of newcomers. It was not a role that came naturally to Black but he mentioned getting used to it during the spring.

“Definitely having to be more vocal than I’ve been. When you are in a new place, you need to make sure that people feel you and know where you are coming from. I’ve had problems with that in the past but it’s (being vocal) has definitely come more natural with experience,” Black told the media. 

Like many of the new Hoosiers, Kaelon Black came to Bloomington after excelling at the Group of Five level. The redshirt junior has made it clear that being overlooked and doubted has given him a healthy chip on his shoulder that drives him to succeed and he believes others on the team feel the same and that it can help them work towards the season.

“For me personally, that is something that has always been in the back of my head. I’ve never said anything vocally and I’m thankful I’ve been able to play on the Division One level for so long and I give my thanks to God for that. I know my other teammates from places like Troy and ODU definitely have the same mindset. I feel like Coach Cig brought in the right guys.”

IU is going to play several running backs and there will certainly be times where multiple backs are on the field at the same time. Nothing is set in stone and fall camp is likely going to go a long way towards determining the rotation for the first game but Kaelon Black figures to be battling with Wake Forest transfer Justice Ellison for the starting nod. 

The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!