Indiana Football: 3 players who need increased role after bye week
By Alec Lasley
![BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Tom Allen of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates with his team after a play in the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Tom Allen of the Indiana Hoosiers celebrates with his team after a play in the game against the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Memorial Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/418bc9fd07acf87645da9b383e6b853a26198d9b2a6aebe3e3ac52f88df492fd.jpg)
Sampson James
They have now passed the four game mark so there will be no redshirt opportunity for James anymore as he made an appearance in the Michigan State game.
The highest rated recruit in Indiana history needs more touches. Plain and simple.
Right now he is second on the team in carries with 24 on the season, but has just gathered up 40 yards. Despite his lack of effectiveness thus far, he is as talented as they come and with no reason to hold him back for the redshirt year, the offense needs to see more of him.
Trending. 3 Takeaways From Loss vs Michigan State. light
With Ronnie Walker and Cole Gest receiving just a total of 16 combined carries through five games, neither of them seem likely to get much time in the backfield moving forward.
James had shown signs of becoming more of a threat in the previous two games, with 34 combined yards, but was thrown into the MSU game at inopportune times resulting in negative yardage on the day.
Despite the Indiana run game becoming a bigger threat over the past two games, it is still nowhere near what it was last season.
There have definitely been learning curves for the a pass-first offensive coordinator, but it’s time to get some more looks on the ground moving forward.