IU Running back Room Filled with Diversity and Experience

Written by Zach Greene:  (@zachegreene)

Indiana Running Back’s Jaylin Lucas and Josh Henderson met with the media Tuesday following another morning of spring practice. They were optimistic about the state of the running back room and their individual abilities. The room is filled with experience and a diversity in their abilities.

“I think just showing that we're all very dynamic. We can make plays in different positions on the field. That's what we're doing in practice right now. Like every other group we're competing to, and it's good competition right now,” said Henderson when asked about what the room needs to build upon.

When asked about how the position is going to be incorporated into Walt Bell’s offense, Henderson had this to say, “Different positions on the field…catching, running…we’re all very dynamic. Jaylin Lucas is a fast guy, and he's got great cuts. That’s something that I want to incorporate into my game. I’m more of a physical guy, that's something he's working on. So, we’ve all got different things that we can take from each other.”

Having a diverse group will hopefully lead to a lot of confusion for opposing defenses. Bell could utilize the room heavily this upcoming season with two running back sets. One to the left of the quarterback and one to the right. Or Bell could put the All-American Jaylin Lucas in the slot.

“Man, this fall the backfield will be utilized heavy. You got two back. You got hurricane personal. Everybody is going to switch out and it’s going to keep going on and on. It’s looking like it’s going to be big this year,” said Lucas on the diversity of the running back room.

Lucas and the running back room are holding each other to a high standard given the rooms individual abilities this year.

“Everybody has a different level of speed. You got your power, you got your agility. The running back room is going to be held to a high standard this year.”

Lasty, Lucas is getting more experience lining up in the slot, something he did a bit last year.

“My experience in the slot has been going well. It’s not been too hard. It’s something I’ve been doing my whole life. Just learning to look into signals.”  Lucas said. 

The running back room is filled with a variety of skillsets a lot of experience that will guide them down the stretch this season. Along with a new offense line and coach the Hoosiers hope to boost their yards per run a stat they struggled mightily the past two season.