Indiana University Athletics
Shivers Has One Question for You – ‘Why Not Me?’
4/1/2022 12:00:00 PM | Football
By Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Why not me, Shaun Shivers asks.
The veteran running back is a confident guy, a physical guy, a guy who can outrun or power past defenders despite size that doesn't wow.
"I am comfortable I can do the things they said I couldn't because I know I've overcome adversity all my life," he says with a tone sharpened from years of being underestimated.
"I've been an underdog all my life."
Shivers, once a four-star high school prospect coming out of talent-rich Florida, didn't transfer from Auburn to Indiana for a final season to spend time on the sidelines or in a limited role.
He wants a featured-back shot.
Indiana, without a returning standout running back, will give him one.
"I run harder than most of the top guys around the nation," he says. "That's my game. I run downhill. I get vertical. I can break tackles. I can do the same thing those other guys can do, so why not be the featured running back?"
Shivers will have to earn it, of course. Nothing is given in this Tom Allen-run program. That was true when Shivers became a Hoosier, and it's true now that Craig Johnson coaches the running backs room.
The 5-7, 190-pound Shivers embraces the challenge.
"I came here because I want to compete. I'm showing them every day I can run between the tackles. I know what I can do."
Shivers rushed for more than 1,000 yards at Auburn, but it came in decreasing totals. He rushed for 371 yards as a freshman, 286 as a sophomore, 276 as a junior, and 87 last season. By last year he had become a third-down back with 22 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown.
He wanted more, and knew that meant finding a new home for his final season.
It meant become a Hoosier.
"I was at Auburn for four years and I saw my playing time decrease," he says. "That made me think, 'It's time. Finish the season strong, but it's time to move on and get another opportunity somewhere else.'"
As soon as he entered the transfer portal, IU contacted him. Johnson did the same thing when he arrived in Bloomington.
"(Indiana) called me as soon as I was in the portal," Shivers says. "They were one of the first ones to call and tell me about the program. They said most of their running backs were hurt or leaving, so I felt like it was the best decision to come here and compete for a starting position. It gave me the best opportunity to make it to the next level."
Shivers is certain he can handle a heavy workload.
"I know that's something I can do for sure, carry the ball a number of times. I know what I can do once I get the ball in my hands.
"It's all about opportunity. If you don't get the opportunity, they don't know what you can do."
When opportunity diminished at Auburn, when the bulk of the tailback carries went to bigger players such as Tank Bigsby (6-0, 208 pounds) and Jarquez Hunter (5-10, 202), Shivers worked on his receiving skills to boost his third-down opportunity.
"If you don't have much of an opportunity, and you know what you can do, if you do it in practice all the time, and not get the opportunity in the game, you have to find something else to do," he says. "That's what I did -- I worked on catching the ball all spring, summer, and that was my role at Auburn."
Johnson and offensive coordinator Walt Bell figure to maximize Shiver's speed. At Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida, he ran track as well as played football. His best 100-meters time was 10.29 seconds. He had a 20.81 in the 200. He also rushed for more than 6,000 career yards and led Chaminade-Madonna to the Florida Class 3A state title as a senior.
As for being overlooked in a position that so often emphasizes imposing size, Shivers says he's used to it.
"When I was younger, I was always the smallest on my team, but also the fastest.
"I ran track all my life. I did that since I was four years old. I played football since I was four years old."
Even then, coaches limited his role because of concern he would get hurt or couldn't produce.
"I dealt with that. Coaches wouldn't give me the ball. I'd tell them, give me the ball. I'll either score or get a first down. They didn't realize what type of person I was."
Hoosier coaches realize it now. Shivers is one of six scholarship running backs vying for playing time in a wide-open competition. Walk-on Charlie Spegal is the leading returning rusher with 62 yards.
"Shaun has done a good job in pass protection," Johnson says, "and has broken off some good runs."
Another veteran contender is North Carolina transfer Josh Henderson, who rushed for 209 yards on 41 carries in three seasons. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry.
"Josh has done a good job all around," Johnson says, "and in pass protection he's been tremendous."
Henderson likes what he's seen from Johnson and all the coaches.
"This staff brings it every day. That is something that really impressed me and my family when I was in the process of finding another school. Everybody on this staff is all bought in and it really encourages all of the players to step up their game and be the best player they can be every day. They motivate us day in and day out."
As far as the IU offense, Henderson has been especially impressed with the line.
"One thing that has stuck out to me is how physical the offensive line is. They have been doing a great job and getting better every day and every practice. It's not just the practices with helmets, it is also in the weight room.
"Everyone is all bought in and can't wait to get started and see how far we take this. I am excited. Everybody is motivated."
Shivers and Henderson have assumed leadership roles, which is exactly what Johnson was counting on.
"They have done a really good job of being out in front in our group," Johnson says. "They are playing like guys with experience that have been through the ropes. When they get their opportunities, they are making the plays.
"You look for that from the leadership, I know that the younger players ask them a lot of questions. That is good, because they want to rely on the leadership that they bring, and I love the answers that they give because they sound like a coach."
Given IU is determined to improve a rushing attack that ranked 12th in the Big Ten last season, those answers can't come fast enough.
"Our relationship in the room is real good," Shivers says. "We all talk to each other. We all help each other. We all motivate each other.
"When one of us comes off the field, we all tell him what he needs to work on next time. Make sure you make that cut. Make sure you pass protect. That's important for this group to have because it's all new faces and young guys.
"Me and Josh are the veteran guys. We've been there and done it. We have to bring those younger guys along."
For Shivers, being recruited by one coach and playing for another has its advantages, especially given Deland McCullough and Johnson's NFL coaching experience -- McCullough with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Johnson with Minnesota, Tennessee, and the New York Giants.
"They both have similar backgrounds," Shivers says. "They both coached in the NFL. They both coached great dudes.
"Coach Johnson obviously knows what he is talking about. He knows the ways for us to do things as a running back and get us going. He knows what it takes to get to the next level."
That leads to one final question -- why not Shivers?
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Why not me, Shaun Shivers asks.
The veteran running back is a confident guy, a physical guy, a guy who can outrun or power past defenders despite size that doesn't wow.
"I am comfortable I can do the things they said I couldn't because I know I've overcome adversity all my life," he says with a tone sharpened from years of being underestimated.
"I've been an underdog all my life."
Shivers, once a four-star high school prospect coming out of talent-rich Florida, didn't transfer from Auburn to Indiana for a final season to spend time on the sidelines or in a limited role.
He wants a featured-back shot.
Indiana, without a returning standout running back, will give him one.
"I run harder than most of the top guys around the nation," he says. "That's my game. I run downhill. I get vertical. I can break tackles. I can do the same thing those other guys can do, so why not be the featured running back?"
Shivers will have to earn it, of course. Nothing is given in this Tom Allen-run program. That was true when Shivers became a Hoosier, and it's true now that Craig Johnson coaches the running backs room.
The 5-7, 190-pound Shivers embraces the challenge.
"I came here because I want to compete. I'm showing them every day I can run between the tackles. I know what I can do."
Shivers rushed for more than 1,000 yards at Auburn, but it came in decreasing totals. He rushed for 371 yards as a freshman, 286 as a sophomore, 276 as a junior, and 87 last season. By last year he had become a third-down back with 22 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown.
He wanted more, and knew that meant finding a new home for his final season.
It meant become a Hoosier.
"I was at Auburn for four years and I saw my playing time decrease," he says. "That made me think, 'It's time. Finish the season strong, but it's time to move on and get another opportunity somewhere else.'"
As soon as he entered the transfer portal, IU contacted him. Johnson did the same thing when he arrived in Bloomington.
"(Indiana) called me as soon as I was in the portal," Shivers says. "They were one of the first ones to call and tell me about the program. They said most of their running backs were hurt or leaving, so I felt like it was the best decision to come here and compete for a starting position. It gave me the best opportunity to make it to the next level."
Shivers is certain he can handle a heavy workload.
"I know that's something I can do for sure, carry the ball a number of times. I know what I can do once I get the ball in my hands.
"It's all about opportunity. If you don't get the opportunity, they don't know what you can do."
When opportunity diminished at Auburn, when the bulk of the tailback carries went to bigger players such as Tank Bigsby (6-0, 208 pounds) and Jarquez Hunter (5-10, 202), Shivers worked on his receiving skills to boost his third-down opportunity.
"If you don't have much of an opportunity, and you know what you can do, if you do it in practice all the time, and not get the opportunity in the game, you have to find something else to do," he says. "That's what I did -- I worked on catching the ball all spring, summer, and that was my role at Auburn."
Johnson and offensive coordinator Walt Bell figure to maximize Shiver's speed. At Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida, he ran track as well as played football. His best 100-meters time was 10.29 seconds. He had a 20.81 in the 200. He also rushed for more than 6,000 career yards and led Chaminade-Madonna to the Florida Class 3A state title as a senior.
As for being overlooked in a position that so often emphasizes imposing size, Shivers says he's used to it.
"When I was younger, I was always the smallest on my team, but also the fastest.
"I ran track all my life. I did that since I was four years old. I played football since I was four years old."
Even then, coaches limited his role because of concern he would get hurt or couldn't produce.
"I dealt with that. Coaches wouldn't give me the ball. I'd tell them, give me the ball. I'll either score or get a first down. They didn't realize what type of person I was."
Hoosier coaches realize it now. Shivers is one of six scholarship running backs vying for playing time in a wide-open competition. Walk-on Charlie Spegal is the leading returning rusher with 62 yards.
"Shaun has done a good job in pass protection," Johnson says, "and has broken off some good runs."
Another veteran contender is North Carolina transfer Josh Henderson, who rushed for 209 yards on 41 carries in three seasons. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry.
"Josh has done a good job all around," Johnson says, "and in pass protection he's been tremendous."
Henderson likes what he's seen from Johnson and all the coaches.
"This staff brings it every day. That is something that really impressed me and my family when I was in the process of finding another school. Everybody on this staff is all bought in and it really encourages all of the players to step up their game and be the best player they can be every day. They motivate us day in and day out."
As far as the IU offense, Henderson has been especially impressed with the line.
"One thing that has stuck out to me is how physical the offensive line is. They have been doing a great job and getting better every day and every practice. It's not just the practices with helmets, it is also in the weight room.
"Everyone is all bought in and can't wait to get started and see how far we take this. I am excited. Everybody is motivated."
Shivers and Henderson have assumed leadership roles, which is exactly what Johnson was counting on.
"They have done a really good job of being out in front in our group," Johnson says. "They are playing like guys with experience that have been through the ropes. When they get their opportunities, they are making the plays.
"You look for that from the leadership, I know that the younger players ask them a lot of questions. That is good, because they want to rely on the leadership that they bring, and I love the answers that they give because they sound like a coach."
Given IU is determined to improve a rushing attack that ranked 12th in the Big Ten last season, those answers can't come fast enough.
"Our relationship in the room is real good," Shivers says. "We all talk to each other. We all help each other. We all motivate each other.
"When one of us comes off the field, we all tell him what he needs to work on next time. Make sure you make that cut. Make sure you pass protect. That's important for this group to have because it's all new faces and young guys.
"Me and Josh are the veteran guys. We've been there and done it. We have to bring those younger guys along."
For Shivers, being recruited by one coach and playing for another has its advantages, especially given Deland McCullough and Johnson's NFL coaching experience -- McCullough with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Johnson with Minnesota, Tennessee, and the New York Giants.
"They both have similar backgrounds," Shivers says. "They both coached in the NFL. They both coached great dudes.
"Coach Johnson obviously knows what he is talking about. He knows the ways for us to do things as a running back and get us going. He knows what it takes to get to the next level."
That leads to one final question -- why not Shivers?
Players Mentioned
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