Indiana football’s new-look running back room ready to ‘wake the world up’ (2025)

BLOOMINGTON —Indiana football’s close-knit running back room in 2024 packed a punch.

The Hoosiers rushed for more than 2,000 yards for the first time since 2015 and scored more rushing touchdowns (37) than the previous two seasons combined. Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton were the first running back duo with 10-plus rushing touchdowns in program history.

Former JMU running back Kaelon Black was a part of the rotation —the coaching staff considered him an integral part of the room even though he didn’t get nearly as many opportunities —and he’s confident there won’t be any drop off at the position.

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“The guys that we brought in, they are some heavy-hitters,” Black said during spring practice. “They work hard every single day, we all get in work after practice and honestly man, it's going to be a tough group for sure. We are just going to have to wake the world up and show them what we got."

Black wants to do his part as a sixth-year senior who has played for coach Curt Cignetti his entire career. In 40 career games (16 starts) he has 2,126 all-purpose yards.

The faces have changed, but he anticipates the intense competition will produce the same results as last season.

“Those guys just push me to be better each and every day” Black said. “Taking no days off, no plays off. Everything off the field means more…It's honestly going to make you a better player. This year, the guys that we brought in, they are going to push you every single day, they are great backs, a lot of experience. It's going to be a competition for sure."

Former Maryland running back Roman Hemby feels at home with Indiana football

Hemby might be a familiar name for Indiana fans.

The former Maryland running back rushed for 278 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and three touchdowns in three games against IU and topped the 100-yard mark twice. Last year, his 75-yard touchdown run against the Hoosiers was the second longest run they allowed all season.

He finished with the 11th most rushing yards in Terps history (2,347 yards) and eighth with 22 rushing touchdowns.

Indiana football’s new-look running back room ready to ‘wake the world up’ (1)

Can he replicate that success in Bloomington? Hemby told reporters that he’s hit the ground running while splitting reps alongside Beebe and Black with the first-team offense.

"I really love the offense here,” Hemby said. “I feel like it's a similar system, pro-style system, spread offense where a lot of people can touch the ball and a lot of people can make plays.”

Ellison and Lawton brought an explosiveness to IU’s running game that was sorely lacking. Hemby’s resume —he has 50 runs of 10-plus yards (14 of those went for 20 or more yards) —shows he’s a proven playmaker, but the element of his game he’s most proud of is versatility.

He was among the nation's most effective pass-catching backs last season.

According to Pro Football Focus, he tied for eighth among FBS running backs with 40 receptions. He’s caught 109 of the 123 passes thrown his way over the last two seasons and averaged 9.6 yards after the catch during his career.

“The ability to do a little bit of everything helps me," Hemby said. "A lot of people look at the next level, ultimately, the NFL is my end goal. They say who can play on third down? Who can be that guy that can be looked at i the time of need? That's what I try to do.”

Former UAB running back Lee Beebe Jr. getting up to speed Indiana football

Lee Beebe Jr. proudly describes himself as an underdog.

He landed a walk-on offer from UAB to play running back — he played receiver at Parks Crossing High School in Montgomery, Alabama — weeks before the 2022 season.

After redshirting, he earned a scholarship and a spot in the backfield rotation.

“It's definitely been fun,” Beebe said with a smile. “Been an amazing process, shows my hard work and dedication.”

Beebe entered the transfer portal after putting up 1,103 yards from scrimmage (884 rushing) last season. His production earned him plenty of attention in the transfer portal — "I got a lot of exposure that I didn't get in high school, it was a big change” —but that didn’t remove the chip on his shoulder.

He heads into 2025 looking to prove he belongs in the Power Four.

"My speed, the American (Athletic Conference) and Big Ten conference are totally different, it's faster,” Beebe said during spring practice. “I just need to improve on the game speed, which I have, I think I've adjusted to it really well."

Beebe had an easy time picking up an Hoosiers offense that’s similar to UAB's and is complimentary of running backs coach John Miller’s detailed-oriented approach. Miller was a big reason why Beebe committed to the Hoosiers.

“The coaches want you to be better, they strive for you to be better,” Beebe said.

Like Hemby, Beebe has an impressive all-around skill set. He had 648 yards after contact last season (3.8 per carry), forced 46 missed tackles and had 25 runs of 10-yards or more. He had 30 receptions for 219 yards, averaging 9.7 yards on passes caught behind the line of scrimmage.

Black noted the similarities between Beebe and Hemby.

"Just the grit and the determination,” Black said. “Great feet, great eyes. Honestly, strong. You just can't get mad at it, all the guys have great skill sets. They are going to make plays when they are in the game."

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football reloads at running back: ‘They are some heavy-hitters’

Indiana football’s new-look running back room ready to ‘wake the world up’ (2025)

Former Maryland running back Roman Hemby feels at home with Indiana football

Former UAB running back Lee Beebe Jr. getting up to speed Indiana football

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