IU RB preview: What does the post-Tevin Coleman world look like?

BLOOMINGTON -- Tevin Coleman is an Atlanta Falcon, D'Angelo Roberts graduated, Laray Smith is playing cornerback and Myles Graham is a Monmouth Hawk.

IU's two-deep at running back will look remarkably different than it did at this time last year, the absence of its 2,000-yard rusher being the most glaring change. So why is there an argument that its running game can be as effective -- or, dare I say, more effective -- than it was a season ago?

Jordan Howard, the UAB transfer who ran for 1,587 yards last season, is healthy again, after missing the end of spring practice through injury. Devine Redding rushed for just 118 yards last season, but he flashed promise when he got sustained playing time, including 49 yards on 10 carries at Missouri.

Ricky Brookins impressed during the spring, Tommy Mister is back from injury, Andrew Wilson bleeds experience and IU will add at least one running back in its freshman class.

But Howard and Redding -- both strong, downhill backs capable of establishing a running game built to pile up first downs -- will be our focus today.

NAMES TO KNOW

Andrew Wilson, 5-11, 215, R-Jr.

Jordan Howard, 6-1, 225, Jr.

Devine Redding, 5-10, 195, So.

Ricky Brookins, 5-8, 188, R-Fr.

Tommy Mister, 6-0, 208, R-Fr.

PACKING POWER

Injury or no injury -- and again, he is healthy, after hyperextending his elbow in spring practice -- Howard is easily the dean of the running back group. His sophomore season in Birmingham was one of the best produced by a running back nationally last season.

Coleman certainly leaves big shoes, and in terms of explosiveness, it's doubtful Indiana can fill them. But with Howard and Redding (himself a promising physical back), the running game should be able to change its emphasis without losing its effectiveness.

It will be a different ground attack, without question, one potentially based more on consistent move-the-chains yardage, rather than home-run threat.

Howard, for example, posted just nine rushes of 20 or more yards last season, compared to Coleman's 19.

He also averaged 5.98 yards per carry on first down, and 5.7 on third down. Moreover, he was fourth nationally last season, with 87 carries resulting in first downs. Coleman, by comparison, was 23rd, with 64.

Put simply: Howard moved the chains.

That's not a criticism of Coleman, but an illustration of the fact that there are different ways to build a healthy rushing attack. IU's run game will look different this fall, and it might be just as successful.

HEADY PRAISE

This tweet, from running backs coach Deland McCullough, caught a few eyes last week:

FINAL WORD

There's undoubtedly a lot of focus on Howard, as Indiana tries to author a sequel to the most successful season for a running back in program history.

Moreover, Coleman isn't the only reliable hand lost from last season, with Roberts' 493 yards and six touchdowns also gone.

But with Redding backing him up, Howard has the potential to headline a physical running back group that can feed IU's passing attack, keep edge rushers off of Nate Sudfeld and contribute to a balanced all-around offense.

Replacing a player of Coleman's talent is never straightforward. IU's best option will likely be to build a different type of running game, one that should be effective nonetheless.

Follow Star reporter Zach Osterman on Twitter: @ZachOsterman.

• DOWNLOAD: Get all your Hoosiers news with our free app