Indiana tailback Lee Beebe Jr. says the knee is behind him, and the Hoosiers are better for it.
One year removed from a season-ending knee injury, Beebe said he feels fully healthy again and has settled back into his role in the backfield. He pointed out that Saturday’s game against Howard came exactly one year after the injury, though he said he didn’t even realize the date until it was mentioned to him. Beebe said he feels clear both mentally and physically, adding that he feels great every day and is now working with what he called a brand new knee.
The year on the sideline also changed how he sees the game. Beebe said watching from a different angle helped him become more patient at the mesh point and on his way to the line of scrimmage, which in turn helped him read defenses better.
That growth now shows up in a backfield pairing that gives Indiana two very different weapons. Beebe and Turbo Richard have formed a strong tandem, with Richard bringing speed, burst and elusiveness, while Beebe supplies the physical inside running. Beebe said the two feed off each other’s energy, and that contrast makes them difficult for defenses to sort out.
Beebe also stressed how much the running back room values work without the ball. He said pass protection and blocking are a point of pride in the room, and that every skill position player in the system is expected to contribute in that area.
The support goes beyond game day. Beebe said he stays in constant contact with Khobie Martin, who is dealing with his own injury recovery, and tries to keep him upbeat while reminding him to stay committed in the training room. Having been through that process himself, Beebe said he understands how tough it can be.
He also had strong words for backup quarterback Grant Wilson, calling him a great team player who fits right in with the locker room. Beebe said there’s no doubt Wilson would handle the moment if his number were ever called.
Motivation, Beebe said, comes from several places. He pointed to former Indiana running back Kaelon Black, who reached the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers, and said veteran leadership in the program taught him how to stay calm under pressure, trust his assignments and focus on the next play.
And when the subject turned to speed, Beebe laughed. Turbo Richard has a verified top speed of 21 miles per hour, while Beebe said the staff has never shown him his own GPS numbers. Still, he believes he’s right there with his backfield partner.
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The Big Ten quarterback pecking order got a jolt after Week 2, and Indiana has a new face sitting at the top of it. Josh Hoover moved into the No. 1 spot after a strong start, giving the Hoosiers a notable bit of national recognition in a conference where the quarterback conversation can change fast from one Saturday to the next.
Elsewhere in the league, the standings were just as volatile. Ohio States Julian Sayin slipped from No. 1 to No. 4 after the loss to Texas, while USCs Maiava, Penn States Becht and Michigans Underwood all shifted based on their latest outings. For Indiana, Hoovers rise is a reminder that in a league loaded with big names, a good couple of weeks can suddenly put a quarterback and his team right in the middle of the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
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The next step has gotten more complicated with five-star target Darius Wabbington, one of the top names on Indianas board, moving up his official visit to Illinois. For a program trying to build momentum in the frontcourt, any shift like that matters, especially when a rival is pressing harder for the same elite big man. The Hoosiers still have time to make their case, but the race for Wabbington now looks a little tighter than it did before. [Read more 🡒]
Indianas Easy Schedule Just Sparked A Bigger Hoosiers Debate
Indianas non-conference football schedule has become more than a calendar note, and under the current College Football Playoff setup it carries real strategic weight. Choosing lighter early opponents can reduce the chance of an early stumble that might damage playoff hopes, and it is easy to see why a coaching staff would value that margin for error.
Still, the approach comes with a tradeoff that keeps surfacing in the broader discussion around the Hoosiers. Easier games may protect the record, but they can also leave less room for competitive preparation and player development, which is why there is a growing case for wanting a tougher slate even while understanding the logic behind the way it is built. [Read more 🡒]