‘Leave a Mark’ – Black Aims for Big Final Season
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The lesson has been learned, Kaelon Black says. The Indiana veteran running back insists he is better for it, strengthened by it. Limited playing time can do that if you understand it, if you grow from it, if you are inspired by it.
What could that mean for the upcoming season?
Prospects are promising.
The 5-foot-10, 210-pound Black saw what Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton did in their one season as Hoosiers. Last year, they powered a rushing attack that rated among the Big Ten’s best in an unprecedented 11-2, first-ever Cream & Crimson playoff performance.
What Black learned, he says, is simple …
“Take things day-by-day,” he says. “With guys like Justice and Lawty, learning from them every day. Seeing how they cut and move.
“Everything was pretty natural to them, so seeing their daily habits and what they did in the training room and off the field allowed me to be able to grow.”
What could that growth mean for this season?
“I want to become a better overall back,” Black says. “The competition we have is pushing me to get there.”
Black showed promise in the spring game by unofficially rushing for a game-high 62 yards.
“It’s about making the whole running back room better,” he says. “Since this is my last year of college ball, make sure I leave a mark, and make sure the guys coming back the next year will be great backs.”
Last year, Black rushed 46 times for 251 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry. He also caught four passes for six yards.
This was a big drop from his previous season at James Madison, when he totaled 142 carries, 637 yards, and four touchdowns.
Ellison (159 carries, 848 yards, 10 touchdowns) and Lawton (141, 668, 12) got most of the running back action. Both are out of eligibility, although Ellison, whose nickname is “Juice,” remains in the program in an offensive quality control role focused on running backs.
Running back competition remains fierce with the addition of college transfers Roman Hemby from Maryland and Lee Beebe Jr. from UAB, plus talented young players Khobie Martin and Sean Cuono.
Black embraces it.
“Guys are pushing me to be better each and every day. It’s learning from different techniques that you apply to your game. It makes you a better player.”
Hemby totaled 3,352 all-purpose yards in four college seasons. Beebe Jr. rushed for 884 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
The 6-foot, 207-pound Martin, a redshirt freshman from Fishers High School in Indiana, played in two games last season for the Hoosiers, totaling 73 yards on 14 carries. He rushed for 2,746 yards and 38 touchdowns in three seasons at Fishers.
“He’s taking steps in the right direction,” Black says of Martin. “He’s asking questions in the film room. He’s doing extra work after practice with Coach Juice and the rest of the guys. He’s staying focused and keeping his head on straight.”
The 5-foot-10, 208-pound Cuono, a true freshman, rushed for 3,328 yards and 34 touchdowns in high school in Florida.
“It’s their grit, their determination,” Black says of the newcomers. “They have great feet. Great eyes. They’re strong. All the guys have great skill sets. They’ll make plays when they get in the game. You can’t get mad about it.”
It should all lead to another outstanding Hoosier rushing performance. Last year, IU averaged 165.1 rushing yards per game and totaled 37 rushing touchdowns.
A dominant rushing attack demands dominant offensive line play. Black likes what he sees from returning veterans such as Carter Smith, Bray Lynch and Drew Evans, and transfers Pat Coogan (Notre Dame), Kahlil Benson (Colorado) and Zen Michalski (Ohio State).
“We have some mean guys up front,” he says. “Man, they're going to put their hands in the dirt. They're going to move some people on defense and that's important.
“These guys are tough and mean. They’re going to make sure we rush for a lot of yards this year.”
With five previous seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti, Black is well versed in the system and the expectations. A bigger running-back-room leadership role comes with it.
“Just take it day by day,” he says. “They’re experienced guys, as well. You don’t have to say too much to them.
“I lead by example, allow them to do their thing and get used to the system. They’ve done a great job of that.”
Cignetti sets the tone as he has since first become a head coach, first at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, then at Elon and then at James Madison before coming to IU. He’s never had a losing season.
“He’s been the same,” Black says. “His MO is fast, physical, and relentless. Short practices. He makes sure everything is concise, and precise to how he wants it. He takes care of his guys on and off the field. That’s how he’s always been.”