Roman Hemby

NFL Draft Profile: Roman Hemby

Position: Running Back | School: Indiana (via Maryland) | Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6'0" | Weight: 210 lbs | Archetype: 3-Down Back (Dual-Threat)

College Career Summary

Roman Hemby entered the 2025 season as one of the most decorated transfers in the country, leaving Maryland after amassing over 3,200 scrimmage yards and 25 touchdowns. At Indiana, he became the catalyst for Curt Cignetti’s historic 13-0 season, helping transform the Hoosiers into the #1 seed in the College Football Playoff. Hemby is one of only two active FBS players with over 3,000 career rushing yards and 1,000 career receiving yards.

His 2025 campaign was a masterclass in efficiency and high-stakes production. While he shared the backfield with Kaelon Black early on, Hemby took over the "bell-cow" role following teammate injuries, culminating in a legendary 82-yard touchdown sprint in the regular-season finale to silence the Purdue crowd. He was named Third-Team All-Big Ten and enters the draft as a premier pass-catching prospect with verified home-run speed.

2025 Regular Season Stats

• Rushing: 176 carries, 918 Yds, 6 TD (5.2 avg)

• Receiving: 14 receptions, 160 Yds, 0 TD (11.4 avg)

• Kickoff Returns: 9 returns, 203 Yds (22.6 avg)

• Total Scrimmage Yards: 1,078 Yards

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rush/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Old Dominion	23/111/0	B+	100-yard debut; showed immediate command of the offense.
2	vs Indiana St	4/25/0	B	Limited work in a blowout; 6.3 YPC efficiency.
4	vs Illinois	14/65/0	B-	Gritty work between the tackles; reliable on 3rd down.
5	@ Iowa	15/86/0	A-	The Tactician. Navigated a brutal Iowa front with patience.
7	@ Oregon	19/70/2	A	High Stakes. Punched in two crucial red-zone scores in the win.
9	vs UCLA	17/81/2	A+	The Warrior. Named Paul Hornung Award Player of the Week.
10	@ Maryland	18/88/1	A	Homecoming. Added 163 all-purpose yards against his former team.
11	@ Penn State	12/55/0	C+	Stifled early but remained a presence in pass protection.
12	vs Wisconsin	14/58/0	B	Controlled the clock late; elite ball security in a tight game.
13	@ Purdue	12/152/1	A+	The Clincher. Broke an 82-yard TD to ice the perfect season.
CC	vs Ohio State	13/52/0	B-	Faced a stacked box; provided veteran leadership under pressure.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Leadership: Respected veteran; Cignetti called him a "warrior" and a key culture-setter.

• Mental Toughness: Handled the transition to a new program and a "nudged out" narrative at Maryland with grace.

• Competitor: Thrives in hostile environments; 82-yarder at Purdue is his signature "drive to win" moment.

• Star Power: One of the most recognizable and impactful transfers in Big Ten history.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 87/100

• Height/Weight: 6'0", 210 lbs. (Hits Height target; just below 215 lbs Weight target).

• Stamina: Exceptional. Logged high-snap counts (81.9% vs Oregon) late in his senior year.

• Durability/Injury History: Medically clean senior season; 52 career games played with 49

• starts.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Ball Security: Elite. Zero fumbles on 176 attempts in 2025.

• Vision: Above average; a patient runner who allows blocks to develop before hitting the "burst" button.

• Contact Balance: Solid, though he can be upright at times; needs to lower his pad level at the point of attack.

• Catching: Elite. One of the best receiving backs in the draft; runs true WR routes.

• Pass Block: Proficient; willing to square up and take on blitzing linebackers.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 93/100

• Speed: Elite. Showcased game-breaking gear on his 82-yard TD run.

• Agility: Very fluid for a 6-foot back; can stop and start without losing significant momentum.

• Change of Direction: Explosive one-cut ability in the open field.

• Acceleration: Reaches top speed quickly; danger to the backend if he gets even a small crease.

• Break Tackle: Uses "micro-cuts" to make defenders miss rather than raw power.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 95/100

• Awareness: High. Understands the flow of the game; excellent spatial awareness in the screen game.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Rare dual-threat production (3,000/1,000 club); elite-tier receiving ability; verified breakaway speed; high-level ball security; championship-level leadership.

• Weaknesses: Needs to add 5-10 lbs of muscle for a full-time NFL workload; tends to bounce runs outside too early looking for the "home run."

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a Zone-Run or Air Raid system that prioritizes a back with wide receiver-level hands (e.g., Bengals, Cardinals, Lions).

• NFL Comparison: James Cook (Bills) / Tony Pollard.

Scout's Final Word

"Roman Hemby is a modern-day NFL offensive weapon. He isn't just a running back; he's a matchup nightmare for defensive coordinators. His 2025 tape at Indiana showed he can handle the pressure of a championship chase and perform when the lights are brightest. While he may start his career in a committee, his pass-catching floor makes him a high-impact contributor from Day 1. Projected: Round 3."