Indiana sophomore running back Morgan Ellison has been indefinitely suspended from all football-related activities, according to a program release on Friday afternoon. Ellison, the Hoosiers' leading rusher from 2017, ran for 704 yards and six touchdowns for Indiana in 11 games as a freshman.
In its release, IU did not give reason for Ellison's indefinite suspension.
Ellison emerged onto the scene in his first year despite a crowded backfield. He was named the Big Ten freshman of the week twice, as well as IU's Offensive Newcomer of the Year. And after Indiana announced Peyton Ramsey as its 2018 starting quarterback on Thursday, Ellison figured to be the starting running back for the Hoosiers in a rotation compromised of Mike Majette, Cole Gest, Ricky Brookins, and possibly freshmen Ronnie Walker Jr. and Stevie Scott.
Fortunately for the Hoosiers, IU is fairly deep at running back. Majette has played 25 games in his IU career, but the senior tailback has struggled to stay healthy. He missed seven games last season. Gest, meanwhile, showed flashes of promise in 2017. The 5-foot-8, 194 lb. sophomore is extremely productive in the passing game. Brookins only rushed 11 times despite appearing in 12 games as a redshirt senior last season -- but he's been with the program since 2014 and provides experience at the position.
As far as freshmen are concerned, Walker chose Indiana over Michigan State and Virginia. He was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 21 running back in his class and enrolled early for spring practice. Scott, meanwhile, has been praised throughout the summer by Indiana's staff. He was a former Rutgers commit before flipping to Indiana for signing day. Scott is a sturdy back at 6-foot-2, 236 lbs. We compiled our 2018 IU Running Backs Preview back in early July.
Also included in IU's Friday release was the one game suspension of redshirt freshman linebacker Mo Burnam, for undisclosed reasons. Burnam will miss Indiana's opener against Florida International in Miami on September 1st, but will be eligible to play the home opener against Virginia the following week.
*This story will be updated*
