Kaelon Black embodies the culture of Indiana football on and off the field

The third-leading rusher isn’t usually mentioned as a ‘hero’ of a football team, but for Indiana’s Kaelon Black, that might just be the case.

Black wasn’t one of the stars of the 2024 team by any means, but his importance goes beyond the numbers. He rushed for 251 yards and two touchdowns a season ago, but his impact was more than it might seem — and it’s only getting larger in 2025.

The 5-foot-10, 210-pound sixth-year senior isn’t just a running back, he’s a leader and someone who makes his teammates better. He understands the culture that Indiana prides itself on, and he’s using his familiarity with head coach Curt Cignetti and his staff to make everyone around him better.

“I’ve learned a lot from him. Just his leadership in the room as a whole. His ability to do everything on the field is inspiring, honestly,” Roman Hemby told reporters following Friday’s practice. “It makes it hard for you not to go out there and put your best foot forward every day because you know that his process and how he does things, he does a lot to, you know, get himself to the next level and, you know, we aspire to be like that.”

WATCH: Fall Camp Q&A: Roman Hemby, Kaelon Black, Rolijah Hardy provide insight into fall camp

As a newcomer to Indiana’s running back room, Hemby was shown the ways of the program by Black, but their relationship goes beyond simply showing Hemby the ropes. Black understands that each half back needs to be on the same page, so developing a connection as teammates is of great importance.

“It’s cool to be in a room with a guy like that,” Hemby said.

To Black, though, it all comes naturally. He mentioned that after years of being coached by Cignetti and his staff, leadership and building a culture is just second nature at this point.

“There’s nothing much really to it,” Black explained. “You know, [Cignetti] has his system in place and all the guys just follow suit.”

He did mention what helps him relay the leadership techniques to new guys, saying that “really just being myself” is the key.

It’s no question that Black can help Indiana win through leadership, but he can also make a major impact on the field. Black is a powerful rusher who has a high football IQ. He can make plays few can make and it all comes down to how hard he works — and his freakish strength.

Black is physically imposing due to the amount of time he’s spent in the weight room, as it’s clear how much care he puts into making his body as strong as it can possibly be. This, coupled with his will to win, makes him a dangerous back for other teams to contain.

While his talent has always been there, at times the snaps haven’t come around. Black was the third-string back a year ago and, while he did get some solid playing time, he was never the main option.

With Hemby and Lee Beebe entering the fold for this season, Black may have to split carries again, but many believe he’ll get a larger share due to the amount of work he’s put in. Black agrees, but he’s always committed to putting the team above himself.

“Definitely a lot of motivation, man. You know, but I’m always just going to stay humble about it, you know, whatever opportunity I get, I’m just going to make the most of it,” Black said. “Just doing what I can off the field to make sure I’m ready to be great on the field, you know, believing in my teammates and thanking my coaches for believing in me to receive the opportunity to play more this year.”

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While his role isn’t completely known just yet, it’s expected to be at least a bit larger than it was a season ago. In tandem with Hemby and Beebe, Black looks to be a major part of a running back room that has serious talent and serious depth.

No singular back will get the majority of the carries, and that’s by design, as Black and company understand that in order for Indiana to be great, it’s all hands on deck. Everyone needs to buy in to the culture that the program has set for itself, and Black has made sure that his teammates are just as committed as he is.

He’s also a big proponent of encouraging everyone to work as hard as he does and get a little bit better each and every day. Black has gotten to where he is today through hard work and determination, and he knows that those same qualities are what can take Indiana to where it wants to go.

“I feel like we’ve done a great job moving forward, but we also have to make those daily strides. Just staying focused day by day, never getting too high or low. Staying, you know, focused, staying humble, being hungry, and we’ll make those strides like we need to,” Black mentioned.

Black is a competitor. He does everything with 100 percent, whether that’s on or off the field, and you’ve been able to tell how hard he’s worked this offseason.

Kaelon Black has been overlooked his entire career, but he doesn’t care. As someone who’s stuck with Cignetti’s staff through thick and thin, Black may be the perfect embodiment of the culture that Indiana prides itself on.

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