Roman Hemby is a running back and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who finished his collegiate career at Indiana University after four seasons at the University of Maryland. A native of Edgewood, Maryland, Hemby was a three-star recruit who chose the Terrapins over several mid-major programs and went on to become one of Maryland's most productive backs, rushing for 989 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022 before following with 680 yards in 2023 and 607 yards in 2024. He earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in back-to-back seasons at Maryland and accumulated over 2,300 rushing yards and 900 receiving yards in three starting seasons with the Terps before transferring to Indiana for 2025. With the Hoosiers, who went undefeated in the regular season and won the national championship, Hemby posted 230 carries for 1,120 rushing yards and seven touchdowns at 4.9 yards per carry to go along with 17 receptions, finishing his college career with over 710 carries and just two fumbles.
Measured at 6-foot and 208 to 210 pounds, Hemby is a no-nonsense, one-cut downhill runner with good vision and quick processing who executes zone and gap concepts effectively and consistently falls forward for extra yardage. His calling card is reliability, both as a ball carrier and as a pass catcher, with more than 129 career receptions and a career drop rate that reflects sure hands. Hemby earned praise from Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti and brings a high football IQ and team-first mentality to the position. His limitations at the NFL level center on modest explosiveness, limited burst in the open field, and questions about pass-protection recognition, but his durability, efficiency, and receiving ability project him as a mid-to-late Day 3 pick with a realistic path to a committee role in a zone-heavy offense.
