One of Indiana's highest rated signees from its 2017 class was former Pickerington (Ohio) Central standout Morgan Ellison.
Ranked as the No. 44 running back nationally and No. 30 player in Ohio, Ellison was touted by Rivals analyst Josh Helmholdt a number of times last year.
“Morgan Ellison came out to the Columbus stop of the Rivals Camp Series last April and bested one of the deepest field of running backs I have seen in a regional camp to win positional MVP," Helmholdt wrote in February, on Signing Day surprises. "Despite beating out several four-stars and prospects committed to Power Five schools, Ellison had not yet earned his first FBS scholarship offer.
"Those offers would eventually come, but his first from a Power Five program did not come until January and he accepted that offer from Indiana University on Signing Day with a video tribute to his late grandfather.”
Early indications are Helmholdt - and IU's staff - were right. The Hoosiers may have found a steal.
Ellison has impressed some on-lookers early in camp, even though it's still early for true freshmen in adjusting with the transition to college.
And one also has to consider Ellison's injury history - part of what may have held back some of his college recruitment. He missed his sophomore and junior year of high school ball with injuries, only to finish with 1,841 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior.
So maybe the best long-term approach for Ellison isn't to throw him to the wolves Week 1 against Ohio State.
But even if he doesn't get reps, don't be shocked when he makes an impact down the road.
“What we see is we see a guy that has the ability to make quick upcuts and get the ball up the field whenever the defense stretches," offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. "He also does a really good job of leveling off. His shoulder pads are down and he levels off that way.
“He’s like a lot of freshmen, their heads are spinning right now. We’ve done a lot of offense in training camp right now, so his head is spinning a bit. But overall he’ll get there.”
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