The competition in the running back room just got a little bit more clear.
The Daily Hoosier has confirmed third year running back Sampson James has put his name in the transfer portal for the second time. James also entered the portal in March of 2020 soon after strength coach David Ballou left the program for Alabama. He decided to stay at IU a few days later.
The Avon, Ind. product was expected to compete with USC transfer Stephen Carr and sophomore Tim Baldwin for the starting role in 2021.
James had what appeared to be a breakout game in Indiana’s 2019 win over Purdue to close out the regular season. He rushed 22 times for 118 yards and a score against the Boilermakers before suffering an injury.
But James remained behind starter Stevie Scott on the depth chart in 2020. He rushed just 32 times for 96 yards. For his IU career James has rushed 113 times for 371 yards (3.3 ypc) and caught three passes for 30 yards. He scored three touchdowns, all in 2019.
When James committed to Indiana as a member of the class of 2019 he was the Hoosiers’ highest rated recruit of all-time.
