Roman Hemby is a 6 ‘0, 208 lbs RB from Indiana University. Roman Hemby’s four-year journey throughout the Big Ten has made himself into one of the most reliable pass-catching running backs from the conference. Starting at Maryland and transferring to Indiana for his senior season, Hemby had a breakout 2025 campaign, leading the Hoosiers to a national championship victory. If his history is any indication, perhaps it was to be expected. Hemby was a two-sport athlete at the John Carroll School (MD) before he landed at Indiana and immediately provided a veteran’s confidence and presence for their offense.
By the end of his collegiate career, it is clear that the hallmark of his game is his processing speed and patience, which allow him to let blocking lanes open. He is a disciplined runner who thrives in man-to-man blocking schemes, in that he lets his guards clear the path before he commits to a running lane. His spatial awareness and lateral movement are a plus, as he can often find lanes that open for a split-second before closing. While he does lack the elite burst and speed to outrun NFL secondaries as well as having a leaner form than a traditional bell cow running back, Hemby’s north-south ability is unmatched. He is most effective when he is able to make one or two sharp cuts to get upfield. When surrounded by bigger defenders, his ability to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yards cannot be overstated.
In terms of pass catching, Hemby is a natural. He tucks the ball away instantly and serves as a highly reliable receiver for check-downs and finding soft spots in zone coverage. However, he is not even close to being a polished pass protector; he often gets beaten by blitzing linebackers due to his high center of gravity, leading to immediate pressure on the quarterback. When pressured and assigned to block, it becomes the quarterback’s job to get the ball out quickly rather than provide a few extra milliseconds of a sustained pocket. Significant coaching at the next level will help him improve in this regard.
Scheme and Team Fit
A West Coast offense would be highly effective in utilizing Hemby, particularly if he is a third-down back or at the RB2 position. An ideal landing spot for him would be the Dallas Cowboys, given the presence of Javonte Williams, whom he could learn behind, and the New Orleans Saints, who have a need at running back.
NFL Player Comparison: Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)
Similar to Brown, Hemby is similarly one-cut focused and offers significant value out of the backfield. It would not be surprising to see Hemby’s high football IQ compared to Brown’s as well.
Projection: League Average Starter
Hemby’s lack of twitch and true elite speed limits his ceiling and may prevent him from becoming a true No. 1 at the position. His struggles in pass protection also make him less of a day 2 pick and more of a day 3 value pick. It is unlikely he’ll be an undrafted free agent given Indiana’s championship pedigree, but if he is placed in a system that allows him to catch passes in space and run behind a disciplined unit, he has the potential to be a high-end rotational player who sticks in the league for a long time. His ball security, veteran confidence, experience, and durability are likely to earn him a spot on a practice squad as a floor. More importantly, the trust of a pro coaching staff will come naturally, given his experience and national championship victory.
Grade and Round Projection: 4.7 out of 7, Round 6 Pick
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