New Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has officially made his first addition through the transfer portal.
Former Wake Forest running back Justice Ellison announced his commitment to Indiana on Sunday night. Across his four-year career, Ellison rushed for 1,909 yards and 15 touchdowns on 4.5 yards per carry.
Ellison joins the Hoosiers with one year of eligibility after playing the last four seasons with the Demon Deacons. He was listed at 5-foot-10 and 209 pounds on Wake Forest's 2023 roster.
In 2023, Ellison was second on the team in both rushing yards and attempts. He ran the ball 120 times for 573 yards and one touchdown, good for 4.6 yards per carry.
Ellison was a third-team All-ACC running back in 2022, generating 707 yards and six touchdowns. He also ran the ball for 541 yards in 2021 and earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after a win over Louisville.
After committing to Wake Forest out of Flint Hill School in Oakton, Va., Ellison immediately contended for carries as a true freshman, rushing for 113 yards on 30 attempts in 2020.
Across his four-year career, he also caught 24 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. Under coach Dave Clawson, the Demon Deacons went 27-21 overall, 14-17 in ACC play and 2-1 in bowl games during Ellison's four seasons.
Running back is one of many position groups Cignetti has to replenish this offseason. Following the 2023 season, Indiana's leading rusher Trent Howland (Minnesota) and the versatile Jaylin Lucas (undecided) both entered the transfer portal, and Christian Turner exhausted his collegiate eligibility.
With this addition, Indiana's running back room now includes Ellison, returners Josh Henderson and David Holloman, and incoming freshmen Khobie Martin and Justus Savage.
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