‘Fun Journey’ -- Beebe Jr. Gambled on his Running Back Skills, and Won
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Sometimes, if you’re Lee Beebe Jr., you just have to believe in yourself, believe in your work ethic, commitment and determination, believe you see what others cannot, believe you can do what others doubt.
Believe, in this case, that you can, despite being overlooked by college programs large and small, despite walking on at UAB with no back-up plan if that didn’t work out, be a difference-making Power Four running back, in this case, Indiana and the Big Ten.
“It’s been an amazing process,” Beebe Jr. says.
The process accelerated last December after transferring from UAB, continued with winter conditioning and then spring practice, and proceeds with summer workouts before August camp and the Aug. 30 season opener against Old Dominion.
“The journey has been fun,” Beebe Jr. says. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
The journey started when Beebe Jr. played running back and receiver at Park Crossing High School in Alabama to little recruiting buzz. He walked on at UAB and got typical walk-on freshman opportunity -- three carries for 32 yards in one game.
That improved to 52 carries for 360 yards and four touchdowns in his second season and improved again last year by rushing for 884 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, plus added 30 catches for 219 yards.
In case you’re wondering, if it hadn’t worked out at UAB, well, that was never part of the plan.
“I was committed to walking on to UAB and proving that I could play at that level and earn a scholarship, which I did the following year,” he said.
After last season, Beebe Jr. believed he was ready for a higher level. IU head coach Curt Cignetti and running backs coach John Miller agreed. He joins a running back room highlighted by returning Hoosier Kaelon Black and Maryland transfer Roman Hemby.
“It shows my hard work and dedication,” Beebe Jr. says. “It proves to everybody that I’m an underdog and I can do it.”
What can the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Beebe Jr. do?
“Catching,” he says. “I can catch well for my size. Most running backs my size can’t catch like I can.”
Entering the transfer portal provided recruiting interest he didn’t receive coming out of high school.
“It was new for me. I was getting a lot of exposure that I didn't get in high school. I wasn't recruited much in high school. It was a big change. I was thrilled.”
Beebe Jr. credits Miller as a big reason why he chose the Hoosiers.
“Coach Miller really sealed the deal for me. I love that the (IU) scheme was similar to UAB. I was like, okay, I can really adjust to it. It wouldn't be too much of an adjustment.”
Also, he adds, “I like the people and the atmosphere here.”
Beebe Jr. says his spring focus centered on blocking.
“It was good last year at UAB, but there is always room for improvement. That is one of the areas that I wanted to personally improve. Coach Miller saw that and said the same thing.”
Adjusting to the speed of Big Ten play after three years in the American Athletic Conference is another priority.
“I’m working on my speed,” Beebe Jr. says. “The conferences are totally different. The Big Ten is faster. I need to improve my game speed, which I have. I’ve adjusted to it well. That’s the big part.”
Beebe Jr. takes advantage of every Hoosier opportunity, including working with Justice Ellison, also known as “Juice,” who has transitioned from standout running back (he rushed for a team-leading 848 yards, plus 10 touchdowns last year for IU) to an offensive quality control role focused on running backs.
“I love Juice,” Beebe Jr. says. “I ask him a lot of questions. He has a lot of knowledge. Whatever he says, I’m listening. I’m taking everything he says under consideration and applying it to the field. I get in extra work with him so I can be the best I can be.”
The spring game showed the payoff. Beebe Jr. unofficially ran for 53 yards that night behind Black’s 62.
IU was an offensive juggernaut last season while going 11-2, averaging 41.3 points, 261.3 passing yards, and 165.1 rushing yards. It rushed for 37 touchdowns.
The Hoosiers have no plans on slowing down this season, and Beebe Jr. could play a big role.
“The big highlight since coming here is how the coaches want you to be better, strive for you to get better,” he says. “They do everything they can to make you better as a player and a person. That’s the highlight.”