As Indiana football made history throughout the 2025 season, one of its key transfer portal additions had to watch from afar.
Running back Lee Beebe Jr. transferred in from UAB in December 2024 and appeared to be a useful part of IU’s backfield early in the season, alongside Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby. But Beebe suffered a torn ACL during Indiana’s third game against Indiana State, which cost him the remainder of the year.
The redshirt junior was unable to be on the sideline during games after he got hurt. He’d watch from the stands when possible, but otherwise, he’d watch on TV.
“In the beginning, it was challenging, but I had to get the right mindset. I just talked to my dad, talked to my mom. They gave me some words of encouragement,” Beebe said. “Just made me see the game differently. Encouraged my teammates. Lift them up when they’re doing good, lift them up when they’re doing down.”
While he was unable to play, the Montgomery, Ala. native immersed himself in film study.
Beebe watched Black and Hemby succeed and picked up things from them through film, like the way they read defenses and the way they exploded through holes.
“The most valuable (lesson learned), to me, is how I’ve applied myself in the film room,” Beebe said. “Just seeing the game from the eyes in the sky, seeing everything at once. Just breaking it down step by step.”
Beebe is now around six months removed from his injury.
He won’t be able to practice at full capacity until fall camp, but he’s made a lot of progress. Beebe’s recovery has been a grind, but it’s starting to pay off.
“I was out there on the practice field today, and I was feeling great,” he said. “I feel like myself again. I just gotta continue doing it.”
Beebe, now a redshirt senior, should become a big part of Indiana’s offense for 2026 upon his full return. In less than three full games in 2025, he rushed for 209 yards on 27 carries with a touchdown and a fumble. He posted strong numbers at UAB prior to joining the Hoosiers — in 2024, he finished with 884 rushing yards on 166 carries with seven touchdowns, along with 30 receptions for 219 yards and a touchdown.
Khobie Martin and Turbo Richard will lead the running backs during spring ball with Beebe out, but that group appears like a three-man backfield for next season.
Beebe was impressed with the way Martin handled the No. 3 running back role last year.
“Khobie, he’s definitely stepped up a lot in terms of his mindset, how he views the game. His speed of the game has also increased,” Beebe said. “He’s done an incredible job this offseason, in spring ball as well. He’s done an amazing job.”
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