Redding Leads IU’s Stable of Running Backs

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By: Nick Reith
IUHoosiers.com

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The ground game has become a staple for Indiana football over the last few years, and it's no wonder why.

Last season, the Hoosiers lifted two running backs—Jordan Howard and Devine Redding—above the 1,000-yard rushing mark and placed a pair of offensive linemen on the AP All-America team. Indiana's offense spreads out the field, much like other pass-heavy offenses in college football, but they rely on a steady running game to keep the drives going.

This season, Indiana will look to get it done on the ground without Howard, who was drafted by the Chicago Bears in April. Running backs coach Deland McCullough believes that this group can maintain the standard set by those who came before them.

"The guys look great. They have great attitudes about doing the right things, mentally and physically," McCullough said. "They did a great job of preparing themselves, which makes for some tough decisions. We've got some guys who are spectacular learners and performers on the field."

IU's coaching staff has high hopes for this group, which begins with Redding. The returning junior has had his mind on one thing this offseason.

"I've really been trying to focus on getting the younger guys together," Redding said when asked about his primary focus since January. "As Coach Wilson and Coach McCullough say, we play young guys. So we've been getting them ready for the rest of camp and the start of the season."

Redding's dedication to putting his teammates first and building the unit from the bottom-up has not gone unnoticed by his position coach. McCullough praised Redding for his work ethic in practice, but made sure to point out that his leadership role didn't begin this offseason.

"Mentally, he had that as soon as Tevin Coleman left," McCullough said. "He took on that mantle, and he's continued to uphold it. He's extremely sharp in practice with limited reps, and he gets pushed when he needs to get pushed. He does a great job making sure everybody knows what they're doing, because he knows we'll need everybody we have in order to be successful."

One back battling for carries this preseason is Clyde Newton, who brings a unique perspective to the position group. Newton, who served his first three years as a linebacker, joins the Hoosiers on the other side of the line of scrimmage for his senior year.

"Clyde is very physical, great in pass protection and has embraced being a running back," McCullough. "He knows everything that we're doing, and he's definitely somebody who can help us."

Redding and McCullough shared their goal of getting the younger and less experienced players to "relax", as they put it. With the countdown clock ticking towards their season opener at Florida International on September 1, the Hoosiers don't want their running backs worrying about possible shortcomings. Rather, they want to build confidence by making sure they memorize the fundamentals and enjoy the game they love to play.

"I tell them to relax," Redding said. "You know why you came here—to go to school and play football—so relax when you're in there. You know what you have to do, so don't overthink too much when you're on the field."

With the Hoosiers completing more than one week of fall camp, the Indiana coaching staff is hard at work making personnel decisions and placing players in their roles. Much of the teeth cutting is over, and the players will begin to work within their responsibilities in hopes of optimizing their contribution to the success of the team.

"Now, we start fine-tuning," McCullough said. "We see what guys can do, which we'll find out in our next scrimmage when we can polish some things. We'll start using guys in the niche that they'll be utilized. If guys want to improve their role, they can do that, but at least we've determined what some guys' roles will be so we can maximize them in those roles."

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