As I reported last night, IU running back Darius Willis won't play for the Hoosiers this season, per a source with knowledge of the situation. Willis suffered a knee injury last season and it still hasn't healed yet. He missed the final eight games last season and hasn't yet played this year.
What does this mean?
Well first, it's incredibly disappointing. Willis has been plagued by injuries throughout his career at IU, but he's shown signs of being a talented running back. As a freshman, he eclipsed the 100-yard mark three times, and ran for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a great game at Michigan.
That was kind of Willis' coming out party. Everybody started following him then. and people started to predict how good this former Franklin Central standout could be. But then the injuries began, and Willis was never the same. He ran for more than 100 yards in the season opener against Towson in 2010, but never came close again.
According to the source, Willis is unlikely to apply for another medical redshirt. He was granted one last year, and has two years of eligibility remaining. But with his injury history and the fact that he's eligible to graduate in May, I wonder if he'll ever suit up for the Hoosiers again.
If this truly is the end for Willis, we'll always remember him for what could have been. In the meantime, the Hoosiers look pretty solid at the running back position with Matt Perez, D'Angelo Roberts and Stephen Houston.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Willis.
