Sampson James is not Worried About Expectations, Just Improvement

Sampson James will try and make an impact as a true freshman at IU in 2019 Image: Doug McSchooler Indy Star

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

Avon (Ind.) running back Sampon James was one of the biggest recruiting wins for IU in recent memory. The four-star recruit was verbally committed to Ohio State before de-committing and picking the Hoosiers in October. James finished a stellar high school career at Avon with 3,451 rushing yards and a career average of six yards per rush. James also found the end zone 41 times. With great success come big expectations.

James understands this, but is not worried about them.

“I honestly do not worry about any of that type of stuff,” James told the media on Wednesday. “I just try to go out there and play, and as far as this year see what I can do. But yeah, that’s my main priority, is to just get better and learn as much as I can, be a sponge and learn as much as I can and go from there.”

James, like any elite competitor, wants to see improvement. That starts in the weight room with strength and conditioning coaches David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea.

James and Ballou have a history together as Ballou spent 14 years as the head strength and conditioning coach at Avon High School where the two crossed paths.

“Me and Coach Ballou go way back,” James said. “He coached my older brothers, and I’ve been knowing him since I was…throughout my younger days in Avon. So there is definitely a relationship there. I did get to train with him the summer coming into my freshman year, and so I definitely know the way he trains. It’s been huge.”

James has been enrolled at IU since the beginning of the semester and will participate in spring practice. Despite being on campus for about six weeks James is already seeing some gains. James told reporters that he has “put on about 12, 14 pounds since I’ve been here, so that’s great. I’m definitely getting faster and doing a lot better.”

James is still recovering from a lingering knee injury that bothered him last fall. He put concerns to rest saying, “The knee is doing great. It’s doing well and I haven’t had any problems in a minute now. So yeah, just getting back, and almost at a 100 percent. Not there yet I would say, but definitely pretty close.”

So what goals does James have for himself before spring ball kicks off on March 2nd?

“I just want to learn the playbook and obviously get familiar with that, and come out and have a strong spring.”

James will join a talented and running back room this spring that features Stevie Scott who ran for over 1,000 yards last season as a freshman, former four-star recruit Ronnie Walker who showed flashes of what he can do and Cole Gest who is recovering from a knee injury that ended his season in week one. Fellow freshman Ivory Winters will join the team this summer. So James has his work cut out for him and being in for spring practice gives him a head start.