Lee Beebe's Itching to Return After an Injury Ended His 2025 Season Early

'Ok, Cool I am Back'

Lee Beebe, a redshirt senior running back, has not been on the game field for Indiana since September 12th of last year, when he injured his knee in the second half of the Hoosiers' 73-0 win over Indiana State.

Beebe had shown flashes of what he was bringing to the Hoosiers as a transfer from UAB. In his three games, he ran for 209 yards and a touchdown while averaging 7.7 yards per rush. Then it was all over.

Beebe spent all offseason getting back to 100%, and after being limited in the spring, it did not take him long to feel like he was back.

"First day for sure," Beebe said confidently. "When I first touched the rock, I definitely knew then. Like, okay, yeah, cool, I'm back."

He will be part of a three-headed attack on the ground, much like last year was supposed to go. Beebe is known for his work ethic and sometimes needs to be reined in for his own good.

During his rehab process, he has focused on his present situation instead of looking in the rearview mirror.

"(I'm) just putting the injury past me, just focusing on what I could do now, continue getting treatment room, and just keep treating my body right," Beebe said.

'I Like Running Through People's Faces'

At 5'10" and 218 pounds, Beebe is built like a bowling ball. He can barrel over defenders as well as run by them. From a young age, the physicality of the position is what drew Beebe to it.

"I love running back because I can hit people," Beebe said. "I like to hit people more. I like running through people's faces."

His style of play matches what the Hoosiers want to do on offense: bludgeon the opponent into submission.

"They just want us to get it in our mind that we had to get the running game going, because without a good running game, it's not going to be a really good day," Beebe said.

In the two seasons under head coach Curt Cignetti, the Hoosiers finished fifth (2024) and first (2025) in the Big Ten in rushing. That is a recipe for success.

Beebe Doesn't Have to Do it Alone

Gone are the days when a running back would be asked to carry the ball 40 times a game. While the Hoosiers want to run the ball, that responsibility does not fall solely on Beebe. Teammates Khobie Martin and Turbo Richard are also chomping at the bit to run behind Indiana's offensive line.

While the three running backs will be competing for carries, the bond they share is strong. "We have a great bond," Beebe said. "When we're just out there on the field, we feed off each other's energy, and that's when we do great."

Indiana led the Big Ten in rushing a year ago and with Beebe back in the mix, along with Martin and Richard, they have the ability to do so again.

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