Former 4-star running back Sampson James rejoins Indiana football program as walk-on

The Indiana football program is bringing back a familiar face to its 2023 roster. Former running back Sampson James is re-joining the program as a walk-on, a team spokesman confirmed to HoosierIllustrated.com. IndyStar’s Zach Osterman was the first to report the news.

James hasn’t played in two seasons after transferring to Purdue in 2021. He didn’t see any action in the 2021 season and then re-entered the transfer portal ahead of last season. He didn’t play last year.

James is a former four-star prospect in the class of 2019. James originally committed to Ohio State in 2018 before flipping his pledge to the Hoosiers.

As a freshman in 2019, Sampson James played in 13 games and had two starts. He totaled 81 carries for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

His best performance was against Purdue in the final game of the regular season. He had 118 yards and one touchdown on 22 carries.

In 2020 as a sophomore, James saw his role decline. He had just 32 carries for 96 yards and six games.

James, an Avon, Indiana native, was ranked as the No. 182 player in the 247Sports class of 2019 composite rankings. He was rated the No. 10 running back in the class.

He joins a crowded and talented Indiana football running back room that includes All-American Jaylin Lucas, Josh Henderson and Wake Forest transfer Christian Turner.

SEE ALSO: Importance of Indiana running backs can’t be understated: ‘I want to maximize that room’

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