Indiana’s backfield is about to look a lot different in 2026, but Khobie Martin has already put himself in position to be the guy who keeps it rolling.
After Indiana put together one of the country’s most productive rushing attacks in 2025 - 218.3 rushing yards per game and 5.33 yards per carry - the Hoosiers now have to replace 1,000-yard rushers Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. That opens the door for Martin, and Pro Football Focus sees him as one of the Big Ten’s best returning options at the position.
PFF ranked the IU redshirt sophomore No. 3 among returning Big Ten running backs for 2026. The 6-foot, 204-pound Martin earned an 89.6 offensive grade in 2025, trailing only Ohio State’s L.J. Phillips Jr. at 92.8 and Oregon’s Dierre Hill Jr. at 90.8 among returning conference rushers.
Martin’s production came in a limited role last season, when he was Indiana’s third running back behind Hemby and Black. Even so, he made his touches count, piling up a career-best 505 yards and six touchdowns on 78 carries while averaging 6.5 yards per attempt.
He also showed he could take over a game when given the chance. Martin went over 100 rushing yards twice in 2025, starting with 11 carries for 109 yards and two touchdowns against Indiana State in Week 3. He followed that up a week later with 12 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 4 blowout of Illinois.
Martin wasn’t expected to be one of Indiana’s top three backs entering the 2025 season, but his path changed after UAB transfer Lee Beebe Jr. suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 3. From there, Indiana and running backs coach John Miller leaned on Martin more heavily, and the Fishers, Ind., native responded by becoming a real piece of the Hoosiers’ future in the backfield.
That future looks even brighter now. Head coach Curt Cignetti said Martin made major strides during spring camp.
"Khobie Martin has really taken a step," Cignetti said. "He's improved as much as, or more than, as anyone in that first recruiting class.
Every time he has an opportunity, he takes advantage of it. He practices really hard.
He runs with good pad level. He's a load.
He does a nice job catching, and most important to me, he's very consistent. I really like him a lot."
Indiana is projected to divide carries among Martin, Beebe Jr. and Boston College transfer Turbo Richard, so the workload should be spread around. Martin, though, sees that as a plus.
"It's good for a running back. It gives us time to refresh our legs.
We get to encourage our teammates to go out there and work as well," Martin said. "Last year with KB and Roman, there was never any bad blood between them.
We try to be great. If we need multiple running backs to do that, then that's what we need."
PFF’s full top 10 returning Big Ten running backs for 2026 is led by Phillips Jr. and Hill Jr., with Martin right behind them at No. 3. Rounding out the list are Oregon’s Jordon Davison, Rutgers’ Antwan Raymond, Michigan’s Jordan Marshall, Ohio State’s Bo Jackson, Michigan State’s Cam Edwards, Iowa’s Kamari Moulton and USC’s Waymond Jordan.
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