BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Devine Redding is the latest Indiana running back to continue his career in the NFL.
Redding's free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed earlier this week, makes him the fourth consecutive Hoosier starter at the position to ink an NFL contract. And because one running back has entered the pros in each of the last three seasons, Redding will also join a pair of his former teammates: Tevin Coleman of the Atlanta Falcons (2012-14) and Jordan Howard of the Chicago Bears (2015).
The running back position has always been a highly regarded spot across the history of IU Football, and through the years the Hoosiers have seen continuing dominance despite shifts in personnel. Anthony Thompson (1986-89) left Indiana as a Heisman finalist and the program's all-time leading rusher (5,299), and Vaughn Dunbar (1990-91) followed in his footsteps with over 3,000 yards in two seasons.
But Redding's signing, along with the success of his backfield teammates, shows what an impressive run this has been. Redding is grateful for an opportunity to continue carrying the rock on Sunday afternoons, but it's not coming as a surprise to him. It's why Redding came from Glenville, Ohio, to Bloomington in the first place.
Before he first donned the Hoosiers' practice jersey, Redding saw the potential to reach the next level. That summer, Indiana graduate Stephen Houston (2011-13) penned a free agent contract with the New England Patriots. Houston was all over the top 10 of IU's record books after playing his last down, finishing fourth in rushing touchdowns (25), sixth in total TDs (29) and ninth in rushing yards (2,304).
As a freshman, Redding sharpened his craft with Coleman, a junior on the brink of a consensus All-American season. As Redding broke into the rotation, he watched Coleman turn on the jets to become the 18th player in FBS history with a 2,000-yard season, hitting the monumental mark faster (264 carries) than Barry Sanders (268).
Coleman declared early entry to the NFL Draft and landed in Atlanta as the Falcons' third round pick. Since then, he's carved out a vital role in one of the sharpest offenses in the NFL. Last season, Coleman tallied eight touchdowns and combined with Devonta Freeman for the fifth-highest rushing average, conceding the fewest fumbles (1) on the top 10 leaderboard. Coleman and the Falcons won their first NFC Championship in 18 years, and Coleman caught a touchdown pass in the ensuing Super Bowl LI.
The next season, Redding shared the workload with Jordan Howard, who joined the Hoosiers after transferring from UAB. Howard made an instant impact despite missing 18 quarters of the season, averaging 134.8 rushing yards per game (9th – FBS) on his way to first team All-Big Ten honors.
The Chicago Bears selected Howard in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and Howard quite literally hit the ground running. His first trip past the century mark came in the third week of the season, and he ended the year with the Bears' rookie records for rushing yards (1,313) and 100-yard games (7). Howard joins the likes of Walter Payton, Thomas Jones, and Matt Forte as the only players to cross 1,300 single-season rushing yards in the Chicago uniform. At season's end, Howard capped an outstanding year with his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Those success stories may add to the expectations on Redding, but the Hoosiers most recent NFL signee stood out in his own right. He became the first Hoosier to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since Dunbar (1990-91), hitting the 100-yard mark in five games. Redding collected All-Big Ten honors and landed on the Doak Walker Award Watch List in his final season.
Many questions will remain unanswered for Redding until he begins training with the Chiefs this summer. But given Redding's accomplishments from his time at IU, and the success found by those coming immediately before him, his future looks promising.
http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2017/5/10/football-redding-joins-hoosier-tailbacks.aspx
Go Hoosiers!
Redding's free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, signed earlier this week, makes him the fourth consecutive Hoosier starter at the position to ink an NFL contract. And because one running back has entered the pros in each of the last three seasons, Redding will also join a pair of his former teammates: Tevin Coleman of the Atlanta Falcons (2012-14) and Jordan Howard of the Chicago Bears (2015).
The running back position has always been a highly regarded spot across the history of IU Football, and through the years the Hoosiers have seen continuing dominance despite shifts in personnel. Anthony Thompson (1986-89) left Indiana as a Heisman finalist and the program's all-time leading rusher (5,299), and Vaughn Dunbar (1990-91) followed in his footsteps with over 3,000 yards in two seasons.
But Redding's signing, along with the success of his backfield teammates, shows what an impressive run this has been. Redding is grateful for an opportunity to continue carrying the rock on Sunday afternoons, but it's not coming as a surprise to him. It's why Redding came from Glenville, Ohio, to Bloomington in the first place.
Before he first donned the Hoosiers' practice jersey, Redding saw the potential to reach the next level. That summer, Indiana graduate Stephen Houston (2011-13) penned a free agent contract with the New England Patriots. Houston was all over the top 10 of IU's record books after playing his last down, finishing fourth in rushing touchdowns (25), sixth in total TDs (29) and ninth in rushing yards (2,304).
As a freshman, Redding sharpened his craft with Coleman, a junior on the brink of a consensus All-American season. As Redding broke into the rotation, he watched Coleman turn on the jets to become the 18th player in FBS history with a 2,000-yard season, hitting the monumental mark faster (264 carries) than Barry Sanders (268).
Coleman declared early entry to the NFL Draft and landed in Atlanta as the Falcons' third round pick. Since then, he's carved out a vital role in one of the sharpest offenses in the NFL. Last season, Coleman tallied eight touchdowns and combined with Devonta Freeman for the fifth-highest rushing average, conceding the fewest fumbles (1) on the top 10 leaderboard. Coleman and the Falcons won their first NFC Championship in 18 years, and Coleman caught a touchdown pass in the ensuing Super Bowl LI.
The next season, Redding shared the workload with Jordan Howard, who joined the Hoosiers after transferring from UAB. Howard made an instant impact despite missing 18 quarters of the season, averaging 134.8 rushing yards per game (9th – FBS) on his way to first team All-Big Ten honors.
The Chicago Bears selected Howard in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and Howard quite literally hit the ground running. His first trip past the century mark came in the third week of the season, and he ended the year with the Bears' rookie records for rushing yards (1,313) and 100-yard games (7). Howard joins the likes of Walter Payton, Thomas Jones, and Matt Forte as the only players to cross 1,300 single-season rushing yards in the Chicago uniform. At season's end, Howard capped an outstanding year with his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Those success stories may add to the expectations on Redding, but the Hoosiers most recent NFL signee stood out in his own right. He became the first Hoosier to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons since Dunbar (1990-91), hitting the 100-yard mark in five games. Redding collected All-Big Ten honors and landed on the Doak Walker Award Watch List in his final season.
Many questions will remain unanswered for Redding until he begins training with the Chiefs this summer. But given Redding's accomplishments from his time at IU, and the success found by those coming immediately before him, his future looks promising.
http://iuhoosiers.com/news/2017/5/10/football-redding-joins-hoosier-tailbacks.aspx
Go Hoosiers!
