IU Running Backs Don't Lack Talent, But Are Searching For Consistency
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Written By Alex Compton
Indiana’s backfield will be as talented as anyone’s in the league entering 2017. So what exactly are they searching for in spring ball so far? One word. Consistency.
Devine Redding became the third straight IU back to reach 1,000 yards (Coleman, Howard), but decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft. With Redding gone, the torch will be passed to a group this year, instead of one guy. Camion Patrick is the likely starter if he’s healthy, but we still have no tape at RB to evaluate him on. Behind Patrick, Devonte Williams, Ricky Brookins, Mike Majette, Cole Gest, and Alex Rodriguez all return with experience. Each guy in this group brings something different to the table, and that is why spring ball has been so intriguing to this point.
Hoosier Huddle was able to speak to Devonte Williams and Ricky Brookins last week to gather some insight into the new coaches, system, and general feeling around the team, and some of their thoughts can be found below.
I asked Devonte Williams about Coach DeBord and his offense, particularly about how effective the running backs will be:
“I feel like us as a unit, offensively, we’ll be unstoppable.”
Like I mentioned above, the Hoosiers will not have a lack of options to hand the ball to next year. Add in freshman Morgan Ellison and Craig Nelson, and that means getting carries will be a battle. I asked Devonte about that:
“Competition is always a phenomenal thing, you gotta love to compete. Everything’s open right now, so everyone’s showing what they can show.”
As far as the new system under Coach DeBord, offensive players this spring seem to really enjoy it. Here are Williams’ thoughts:
“Coach D, his offense is phenomenal, very explosive. He uses his weapons to the best of their abilities, especially the running backs. He’s putting us out in space.”
Mike Hart comes to Bloomington after dominating the Big Ten at Michigan and playing for the Colts in the NFL. The group respects that, and have definitely come to like him already. Here’s Brookins:
“We actually had a couple of his runs in our group chats, so that’s cool. We can really tell he knows what he’s talking about.”
“He’s already taught us new things in the way he coaches.”
“We love Mike Hart. His attention to detail is awesome, and he’s brought stuff from his other schools that have already been parts of our practices.”
Brookins on DeBord:
“We have to do everything quickly. We have to line up fast, get the plays down fast, and after the play, you have to get up quick and get the ref the ball quick.”
“Everybody gets a shot. Coach has said it before, but there’s no starter at this point.”
Brookins had a career game in the Foster Farms Bowl against Utah, so I asked him what that means for him going forward:
“Honestly, I always felt like I was always that type of player, I just never got the opportunity or the carries to show it. I’m just doing what I do, doing the best when I’m in because there’s no starter at this point.”
Ultimately, the big things to take away here are that Indiana has a stable of talented, hungry backs that all want to play big roles in 2017. Additionally, Coach DeBord and Coach Hart appear to be player favorites, and are mixing all the backs in with the 1’s and 2’s to really get a feel for what kinds of guys they have on the roster this year. Both of these are good things, and both of these things are clear indications that IU is building something special.
If the season were to start today and everyone was healthy, I would say that Camion Patrick is your starter, and Devonte Williams would be a strong, strong #2. Expect Brookins to get the ball in creative ways, and Majette to be a big player in the passing game. Guys have been raving about Cole Gest all spring, so he will certainly see some carries as well, and A-Rod may be the most physical runner out of the group, which could net him some short yardage carries for sure.
All in all, the running back group will be a strength of the team next season. At this point in time however, the group is just getting used to the new staff and searching for consistency.
Other News and Notes:
The three players who were suspended indefinetely at the start of spring practice (Danny Cameron, Jordan Fuchs, and Wesley Green), have been dismissed. Tom Allen announced Saturday.