Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)

The running back duo of Stevie Scott and Sampson James appeared to be in line to be one of the more fearsome one-two punches in the Big Ten in 2020. However, Sampson James has entered his name in the transfer portal and can now leave the Indiana football program. The sophomore to be played in all 13 games in 2019, rushing for 275 yards with three touchdowns. He played the best football of his young career in the win over Purdue, running for 118 yards on 22 carries. The transfer portal still allows for James to return to Indiana and continue his career in Bloomington.

If James departs, the Hoosiers will be down to two scholarship running backs: Scott and true freshman Tim Baldwin. Ronnie Walker transferred out earlier this offseason and Cole Gest and Ivory Winters left early in the 2019 season. Scott is the unquestioned starter but the depth at the position is now a critical concern. Indiana will likely look to shift David Ellis from wide receiver, a position of great depth, to running back. Ellis carried the ball a bit in 2019 and has that experience in his past. He can be very dynamic with the ball in his hands. Walk-on Ahrod Lloyd and true freshman record-setter Charlie Spegal could also be looking at larger than expected roles. In addition, this may necessitate a trip to the transfer portal to find a veteran that can bolster the depth at the demanding position.

Hoosier Huddle will have more on this developing story.

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Sampson James Enters Transfer Portal

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