Freshman Running Back Works To Be The Best
2/22/2020 9:00:00 AM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Going through the motions?
Are you kidding?
Freshman running back Tim Baldwin Jr. has had his early baptism of Indiana football training fire -- without the football -- and shortcuts and sub-standard effort ain't part of the plan.
"Once you come to college," he says, "you have no choice. You have to work hard. You can't be lazy."
Baldwin, an early enrollee, is getting his first early dose of college training and studying, both to learn the complexities of the Hoosiers offense as well as a student-athlete's academic load.
"If you're lazy in college," Baldwin says, "I don't know how you do it. The workouts we do, they make you become the best person possible, mind and body."
This is why Baldwin left the comforts of his home state of Virginia, where he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his last three seasons at Patriot High School, including 1,604 yards and 25 touchdowns as an all-state senior, to explore a Cream & Crimson adventure. He wanted to be challenged by the best, and as the nation's No. 37 rated running back according to ESPN, he had plenty of options.
He committed to Michigan then backed out. Maryland, Northwestern, Pitt, Virginia and West Virginia were among the schools to offer.
Indiana seemed the best choice, and it went way beyond football.
The academic staff, particularly the impact of director of retention and learning services Christa Sist-Morris, left a big impression on a guy focused on studying kinesiology.
"My parents stress academics a lot," Baldwin says. "I take great pride in my academics and my academic future.
"One big thing I was worried about was the adjustment of coming from a pretty good public school to one of the top-notch colleges for academics.
"I was worried about that, but Miss Christa and the entire academic staff organized my schedule. They make sure I'm on time."
He says his favorite class is English W131.
"I love the learning and the new way of learning. It intrigues me."
As far as football, he says, "The coaching staff makes me feel like I'm home. I'm not home sick at all, and I'm 10 hours away. That speaks volumes to the type of place and surroundings it is here."
As a Big Ten running back, Baldwin will take a pounding. He needs enough muscle mass to absorb the punishment, and dish out plenty of his own. At 6-foot and 208 pounds, he has work to do.
"My goal is to be 220 by August," he says, a reference to the start of preseason camp. "We'll see what happens.
"I'm still developing. I don't know where my body will take me. I'll still be getting faster, more flexible, quicker. All those aspects while getting bigger and stronger.
"I'm looking forward to gaining those 12 pounds."
Enter the strength and conditioning program of David Ballou. Along with Dr. Matt Rhea, the goal is to transition the nine newcomers into the demands of IU's major college work.
"They've done a great job of easing us into it," Baldwin says. "It's still totally different from high school.
"The night before the first day, I was wondering, what's going to happen? Ae we going to go blasting? You see people going crazy.
"I was excited about what would happen. After the first two days of easing into it, it was a big shock factor, but nothing you can't handle. You'll wake up the next day and you'll be fine."
Baldwin experienced that "shock factor" when a recent grueling workout ended -- except it didn't. Players had a "finisher" to do.
"I wasn't expecting it because I'm new and we hadn't done it," he says.
"Everybody was pushing each other. Nobody let the other guy get on the ground. They were saying, 'Stand up!'
"That's the mindset. Everybody is going to the next level. There's a sense of urgency from everyone."
Urgency could come in handy for Baldwin.
Stevie Scott III has rushed for 1,982 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons. Sampson James got his chance against Purdue last year as a true freshman when Scott was sidelined with an injury and rushed for 118 yards.
The fact Baldwin skipped his final high school semester to get this opportunity boosts his early impact prospects.
Head coach Tom Allen says Baldwin and all the early enrollees, "Are working very hard in the weight room. I'm excited about their growth, attitude and mindset that it takes to be a Big Ten football player."
Plenty of growth remains, with the urgency ramping up with the start of spring practice. Baldwin plans to make the most of it.
"Once you get used to it," he says, "it's like, 'Oh, I'm almost going to pass out, but I'll make it to the next day.' Once you get into that mindset, I'm going to work, you'll be fine."
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Going through the motions?
Are you kidding?
Freshman running back Tim Baldwin Jr. has had his early baptism of Indiana football training fire -- without the football -- and shortcuts and sub-standard effort ain't part of the plan.
"Once you come to college," he says, "you have no choice. You have to work hard. You can't be lazy."
Baldwin, an early enrollee, is getting his first early dose of college training and studying, both to learn the complexities of the Hoosiers offense as well as a student-athlete's academic load.
"If you're lazy in college," Baldwin says, "I don't know how you do it. The workouts we do, they make you become the best person possible, mind and body."
This is why Baldwin left the comforts of his home state of Virginia, where he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his last three seasons at Patriot High School, including 1,604 yards and 25 touchdowns as an all-state senior, to explore a Cream & Crimson adventure. He wanted to be challenged by the best, and as the nation's No. 37 rated running back according to ESPN, he had plenty of options.
He committed to Michigan then backed out. Maryland, Northwestern, Pitt, Virginia and West Virginia were among the schools to offer.
Indiana seemed the best choice, and it went way beyond football.
The academic staff, particularly the impact of director of retention and learning services Christa Sist-Morris, left a big impression on a guy focused on studying kinesiology.
"My parents stress academics a lot," Baldwin says. "I take great pride in my academics and my academic future.
"One big thing I was worried about was the adjustment of coming from a pretty good public school to one of the top-notch colleges for academics.
"I was worried about that, but Miss Christa and the entire academic staff organized my schedule. They make sure I'm on time."
He says his favorite class is English W131.
"I love the learning and the new way of learning. It intrigues me."
As far as football, he says, "The coaching staff makes me feel like I'm home. I'm not home sick at all, and I'm 10 hours away. That speaks volumes to the type of place and surroundings it is here."
As a Big Ten running back, Baldwin will take a pounding. He needs enough muscle mass to absorb the punishment, and dish out plenty of his own. At 6-foot and 208 pounds, he has work to do.
"My goal is to be 220 by August," he says, a reference to the start of preseason camp. "We'll see what happens.
"I'm still developing. I don't know where my body will take me. I'll still be getting faster, more flexible, quicker. All those aspects while getting bigger and stronger.
"I'm looking forward to gaining those 12 pounds."
Enter the strength and conditioning program of David Ballou. Along with Dr. Matt Rhea, the goal is to transition the nine newcomers into the demands of IU's major college work.
"They've done a great job of easing us into it," Baldwin says. "It's still totally different from high school.
"The night before the first day, I was wondering, what's going to happen? Ae we going to go blasting? You see people going crazy.
"I was excited about what would happen. After the first two days of easing into it, it was a big shock factor, but nothing you can't handle. You'll wake up the next day and you'll be fine."
Baldwin experienced that "shock factor" when a recent grueling workout ended -- except it didn't. Players had a "finisher" to do.
"I wasn't expecting it because I'm new and we hadn't done it," he says.
"Everybody was pushing each other. Nobody let the other guy get on the ground. They were saying, 'Stand up!'
"That's the mindset. Everybody is going to the next level. There's a sense of urgency from everyone."
Urgency could come in handy for Baldwin.
Stevie Scott III has rushed for 1,982 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first two seasons. Sampson James got his chance against Purdue last year as a true freshman when Scott was sidelined with an injury and rushed for 118 yards.
The fact Baldwin skipped his final high school semester to get this opportunity boosts his early impact prospects.
Head coach Tom Allen says Baldwin and all the early enrollees, "Are working very hard in the weight room. I'm excited about their growth, attitude and mindset that it takes to be a Big Ten football player."
Plenty of growth remains, with the urgency ramping up with the start of spring practice. Baldwin plans to make the most of it.
"Once you get used to it," he says, "it's like, 'Oh, I'm almost going to pass out, but I'll make it to the next day.' Once you get into that mindset, I'm going to work, you'll be fine."
Players Mentioned
FB: Inside IU Football with Curt Cignetti - Week 4 (Illinois)
Thursday, September 18
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 4 (Illinois)
Wednesday, September 17
FB: Mikail Kamara Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16
FB: Kellan Wyatt Media Availability (9/16/25)
Tuesday, September 16