Hoosier State of Mind
Fansided

Indiana Football: Stevie Scott, Sampson James headline Hoosiers backfield

By Alec Lasley

BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - SEPTEMBER 08: Running back Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Memorial Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 17: Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers battles for yards during a second half run while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 17: Stevie Scott #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers battles for yards during a second half run while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Who’s Returning?

Stevie Scott (So.), Ronnie Walker Jr. (So.), Cole Gest (RS Jr.)

The big name that everyone knows is Stevie Scott. Returning as the starter for 2019, in 2018 Scott blew past many former Indiana freshman running records as he tallied 1,137 yards, ranked fifth in the Big Ten, and 10 touchdowns. Averaging 94.8 yards per game, Scott became the 13th Hoosier to reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark in a season.

In terms of his durability, Scott ranked 23 nationally with 19.0 attempts per game while playing in all 12 games – starting in 11. This year though, it may be different.

After missing all of the 2018 season (ACL), Cole Gest is back and looks to get back to his old ways. During his freshman campaign in 2017, Gest finished second on the team with 428 yards on 93 attempts (4.6 average) with one touchdown, playing in 10 games.

Though he is just 5-foot-8, Gest proved invaluable when it came to his third down productivity.

What will most likely be his role again this season, Gest is also a terrific wide receiver out of the backfield, and could prove to be that once agin this season.

Another name who returns after showcasing his terrific skillset is Ronnie Walker Jr.

Rushing 32 times for 141 yards with two touchdowns a season ago, Walker was a nice supplement to Stevie Scott in the backfield.

The Virginia native is best known for his speed and should once again pose as someone who will find time in the ‘rotation’ as a change of pace back.

While Scott will most likely be the starter in week one, he can’t be content with his play as he has two other returners who have already showed what they can do on the field.

Home/Indiana Football