Countdown to 2020 IUFB Kickoff: 24 Days (Sampson James)

Written by Andrew Walker

Even though the chances of a season might be slim, the Hoosier Huddle Countdown will push on. Today, we’re covering one of the more exciting young running backs to watch in the Big Ten, Sampson James.

Name – Sampson James

Position – Running back

Year/Hometown – Sophomore/Avon, IN, Avon HS

Height – 6’1”

Weight – 220 pounds

Sampson James has come into Indiana Football and really shaken things up. RB has always been a deep roster for the Hoosiers, and James made it unexpectedly deeper as he got rolling. Stevie Scott, Sampson James, David Ellis, and freshman Charlie Spegal are going to carry thing Hoosier ground attack for a long time. 

James, recently changing his number to #6, will get plenty of playing time behind Scott this upcoming season. The young RB was even hurt from high school when he got to Indiana. RB coach Mike Hart says this is the key to all things working out for James and Co. “"Last year when he came in, he was hurt from high school. That set him back a little, and he didn't get (spring practice). "He just needs to keep his body healthy. It's the same with all these guys. If you can't be on the field, you can't bring any value on game days. We need to keep these guys healthy and get them through a whole Big Ten season."

Once a four star recruit out of Avon, James was at the top of his game in high school. He closed out his high school career with 3,451 yards on 573 attempts (6.0 average) with 38 rushing touchdowns and 41 total TDs. He led Avon to two sectional titles and one regional championship, all while becoming the no. 3 prospect in Indiana and no. 10 RB prospect nationally.