Taking a look at the Sycamore roster, I don't think there is one position group that I feel more comfortable with top to bottom than running back. The Sycamores seem to have a talented stable that can both run and catch and all of them have three or four years of eligiblity aside from returning starter Buck Logan. Speaking of Buck, Logan looks to follow up on a solid first season with the Sycamores that saw him rush for 609 yards after taking over for Shakir Bell.
Returning - SR Buck Logan, SO LeMonte Booker, SO Tyler Evans, Redshirt FR Dimitri Taylor
SR 8 Buck Logan - 5-9, 215 - Highland Park, MI (Sacramento City College)
SO 32 LeMonte Booker - 5-11, 190 - Orland Park, IL (Carl Sandburg)
SO 39 Tyler Evans - 5-10 185 - Terre Haute, IN (South Vigo)
RFR 31 Dimitri Taylor - 5-10, 190 - Wheaton, IL (Montini Catholic)
The two primary returners for the Sycamores include the two backs that took over for Bell and Cheese in senior Buck Logan and sophomore LeMonte Booker, a thunder and lighting combo in terms of running style. Joining them include walk-on Tyler Evans from Terre Haute South and Dimitri Taylor, a speedy north-south runner that redshirted last Fall. It will be interesting to see what happens in 2014 as it seems we don't have enough footballs for the number of quality backs on the roster and it may come down to which guy works the hardest this offseason to differentiate himself from the rest. With FB Austen Wozniak graduating and not having a true fullback on the roster, it will be interesting if the Sycamores have any two back sets going forward.
2013 Production: 174 carries for 816 yards (4.7 ypc, 102.2 ypg) and 2 TDs.
Newcomers - SO Deionte Buckley, FR Jaquan Keys
SO Deionte Buckley - 5-9, 215 - Indianapolis, IN (Cincinnati)
FR Jaquan Keys - 5-10, 190 - Indianapolis, IN (Perry Meridian)
Joining the stable include University of Cincinnati transfer Deionte Buckley and Perry Meridian speedster Jaquan Keys. Buckley was the 34th ranked high school running back (out of Warren Central in Indianapolis) by Rivals.com in 2012 and had a three star ranking on 247, ESPN, Rivals and Scout recruiting services. It will be interesting to see if Buckley, who has measaurables identical to Logan, can push find carries in what looks to be a crowded Sycamore backfield. Keys comes to Indiana State after a senior season that saw him rush for 490 yards on 69 carries (7.1 ypg) and catch 52 balls for 797 yards and 9 touchdowns, a 15.3 ypc average. I would imagine with the sheer number of backs, we will see Keys redshirt in 2014.
Exiting - SR Shakir Bell, SR George Cheeseborough and SR Austen Wozniak
Leaving the program include Shakir Bell, George Cheeseborough and Austen Wozniak. Bell, who re-energized the Sycamore program and fanbase with his electric runs, was dismissed from the team by head coach Mike Sanford after an injury plagued campaign that still saw him finish second on the team in rushing in only 5 games. He also had the highest yards per carry average, highest yards per game average and longest run from scrimmage -- a 69 yard sideline jaunt against Tennessee Tech. Cheeseborough also suffered through injuries and ended up only seeing action in three games and Wozniak served more as a blocking fullback and occasional pass catcher out of the backfield than he did a runner.
2013 Production: 112 carries for 563 yards (5.0 ypc, 129.2 ypg) and 3 TDs.
Returning - SR Buck Logan, SO LeMonte Booker, SO Tyler Evans, Redshirt FR Dimitri Taylor
SR 8 Buck Logan - 5-9, 215 - Highland Park, MI (Sacramento City College)
SO 32 LeMonte Booker - 5-11, 190 - Orland Park, IL (Carl Sandburg)
SO 39 Tyler Evans - 5-10 185 - Terre Haute, IN (South Vigo)
RFR 31 Dimitri Taylor - 5-10, 190 - Wheaton, IL (Montini Catholic)
The two primary returners for the Sycamores include the two backs that took over for Bell and Cheese in senior Buck Logan and sophomore LeMonte Booker, a thunder and lighting combo in terms of running style. Joining them include walk-on Tyler Evans from Terre Haute South and Dimitri Taylor, a speedy north-south runner that redshirted last Fall. It will be interesting to see what happens in 2014 as it seems we don't have enough footballs for the number of quality backs on the roster and it may come down to which guy works the hardest this offseason to differentiate himself from the rest. With FB Austen Wozniak graduating and not having a true fullback on the roster, it will be interesting if the Sycamores have any two back sets going forward.
2013 Production: 174 carries for 816 yards (4.7 ypc, 102.2 ypg) and 2 TDs.
Newcomers - SO Deionte Buckley, FR Jaquan Keys
SO Deionte Buckley - 5-9, 215 - Indianapolis, IN (Cincinnati)
FR Jaquan Keys - 5-10, 190 - Indianapolis, IN (Perry Meridian)
Joining the stable include University of Cincinnati transfer Deionte Buckley and Perry Meridian speedster Jaquan Keys. Buckley was the 34th ranked high school running back (out of Warren Central in Indianapolis) by Rivals.com in 2012 and had a three star ranking on 247, ESPN, Rivals and Scout recruiting services. It will be interesting to see if Buckley, who has measaurables identical to Logan, can push find carries in what looks to be a crowded Sycamore backfield. Keys comes to Indiana State after a senior season that saw him rush for 490 yards on 69 carries (7.1 ypg) and catch 52 balls for 797 yards and 9 touchdowns, a 15.3 ypc average. I would imagine with the sheer number of backs, we will see Keys redshirt in 2014.
Exiting - SR Shakir Bell, SR George Cheeseborough and SR Austen Wozniak
Leaving the program include Shakir Bell, George Cheeseborough and Austen Wozniak. Bell, who re-energized the Sycamore program and fanbase with his electric runs, was dismissed from the team by head coach Mike Sanford after an injury plagued campaign that still saw him finish second on the team in rushing in only 5 games. He also had the highest yards per carry average, highest yards per game average and longest run from scrimmage -- a 69 yard sideline jaunt against Tennessee Tech. Cheeseborough also suffered through injuries and ended up only seeing action in three games and Wozniak served more as a blocking fullback and occasional pass catcher out of the backfield than he did a runner.
2013 Production: 112 carries for 563 yards (5.0 ypc, 129.2 ypg) and 3 TDs.
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