Indiana Football's Running Back Room Looks to Amp up Physicality

Indiana running backs Jaylin Lucas and Josh Henderson return to the Hoosiers this season determined to up their physicality and clean up past mistakes in spring ball. Coach Tom Allen made moves to add more depth to the room with players like Christian Turner out of Wake Forest competing for a starting role.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Indiana football has reconstructed its roster and coaching staff this offseason, and spring football is the first chance to put it all together.

Through seven spring practices, the running backs say they've had great internal competition, mixed with versatility throughout the position group.

"Man, this fall the backfield will be utilized heavy," running back Jaylin Lucas, who'll be a sophomore next fall, said. "It's looking like it's going to be big this year."

Lucas returns after a successful freshman season last year, rushing for 271 yards on 49 attempts for two touchdowns. He earned a spot on the AP All-American first team as a kick returner, leading the nation with two kick-return touchdowns. 

And this spring, Lucas has been returning punts during practice. He didn't return punts as a freshman at Indiana, but it's a role he's used to.

"In high school, most of my touchdowns came from punt returns," Lucas said. 

Last season, Indiana coach Tom Allen often expressed the need to put the ball in Lucas' hands. As a true freshman, he was a bright spot for the team that went 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big Ten. 

Lucas has also lined up as a slot receiver this spring, with an additional rushing threat like Josh Henderson or Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner in the backfield. 

"It's the reality of just getting your best players on the field," Allen said. "Jaylin has proved he can do a lot of special things with the ball in his hands especially in space, so I want to maximize that, so that'll look a little different in some ways and just try to create ways to get him the football."

Lucas said he's added more physicality to his game this offseason, and he wants to attack the line of scrimmage every time. The 5-foot-9-inch, 166-pound Lucas is noticing a high level of versatility in the running back room with himself, Henderson, Turner and others.

"Everybody is a different level of speed," Lucas said. "You got your power. You got agility. I feel like everybody in the running back room is held to a high standard this year."

Henderson returns to the Hoosiers after rushing for 398 yards on 90 attempts, good for 4.4 yards per carry. Allen also brought in Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner, a redshirt senior, to add depth to the position group. At 5-foot-11 and 211 pounds, Turner rushed for 516 yards on 128 attempts for the Demon Deacons last season.

"He's good," Henderson said. "He's got good size. He kills it in the weight room. He's got great cuts on the field, and we're all taking pieces from each other. He's a guy that came in and is doing a really good job right now."

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• SPRING FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: After spring football practice on Thursday, Indiana coach Tom Allen discussed the offensive line's development with new coach Bob Bostad, flexibility in the running back room and what he's seen from the wide receiver room. CLICK HERE
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