Indiana Football Incoming Transfer Profile: Roman Hemby

With the loss of Justice Ellison and Ty Son Lawton - Indiana's top two backs last year -to graduation Curt Cignetti turned to the portal to bolster his backfield. 

The Hoosiers also lost Elijah Green, who was fourth on the team, to the transfer portal, leaving a few open spots in the Indiana backfield. Cignetti landed a couple of backs from the portal, but the higher-rated of the two is Roman Hemby. 

Hemby comes to Indiana with one year of eligibility remaining after spending four seasons with the Maryland Terrapins. In each of his last three seasons at Maryland, he rushed for over 600 yards and at least four touchdowns. 

As Maryland's primary back for the last three seasons, he also caught plenty of passes and comes to Indiana with five career receiving touchdowns. 

One of the things to like about Hemby is that he's been a problem for Indiana, even for Indiana's revamped 2024 defense. In Bloomington last year, he broke off a 75-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 21 in the third quarter before Indiana was able to regain control and win 42-28. 

Having him in Indiana's backfield is much preferable to having to defend him, so this is a big get for Cignetti and company. Indiana isn't scheduled to play Maryland this upcoming season, but being able to land a transfer from a conference opponent is always a double-win. 

Over the last three seasons at Maryland, Hemby was averaging around 140 carries per season, which would put him in roughly the same range as both of Indiana's primary backs from last year, Lawson and Ellison. 

Assuming Indiana manages its offense similarly to last season, look for Hemby to split carries with one of Kaelon Black, fellow transfer Lee BeeBee Jr., or Khobie Martin this coming season. 

One thing that could negatively affect Hemby's playing time or usage is his limited ability as a pass-blocker. Per PFF, he's far below average in that area and better utilized as a receiver in the passing game. 

That said, Hemby is the only player on Indiana's current roster to have played enough pass-blocking snaps last year to even earn a grade from PFF, so it may not be a weakness relative to the guys he's competing with for snaps. 

Overall, Hemby should figure prominently in Indiana's running game in his final year of eligibility, which will help the Hoosiers if he can produce like he has historically in the Big Ten.