| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Assistant running backs coach |
| Team | Indiana |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Playing career | |
| 2020–2023 | Wake Forest |
| 2024 | Indiana |
| Position | Running back |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2025 | Indiana (QC) |
| 2026–present | Indiana (Asst. RB) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
Justice Ellison is an American former college football running back who currently serves as the assistant running backs coach of the Indiana Hoosiers.
Early life
Ellison attended Flint Hill School in Oakton, Virginia. He was rated as a two-star recruit and committed to play college football for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.[1]
College career
Wake Forest
As a freshman in 2020, Ellison ran for 113 yards on 30 attempts. In 2021, he rushed 107 times for 541 yards and seven touchdowns, while also totaling seven receptions for 37 yards and a touchdown.[2] In 2022, Ellison rushed for 699 yards and six touchdowns on 170 carries, while also hauling in six receptions for 62 yards.[3] In 2023, he rushed for 548 yards and a touchdown on 120 carries, while also hauling in ten receptions for 61 yards, earning third-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors.[4] After the season, Ellison entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[1]
Indiana
Ellison transferred to play for the Indiana Hoosiers.[5] In week 8 of the 2024 season, he rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries in a win over Nebraska.[6] In week 9, Ellison ran for 123 yards and a touchdown in a win over Washington.[7]
College statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 2020 | Wake Forest | 8 | 0 | 30 | 113 | 3.8 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3.0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Wake Forest | 11 | 0 | 107 | 541 | 5.1 | 7 | 7 | 37 | 5.3 | 1 |
| 2022 | Wake Forest | 13 | 10 | 170 | 699 | 4.1 | 6 | 6 | 62 | 10.3 | 0 |
| 2023 | Wake Forest | 11 | 10 | 120 | 548 | 4.6 | 1 | 10 | 61 | 6.1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Indiana | 13 | 7 | 159 | 848 | 5.3 | 10 | 13 | 90 | 6.9 | 0 |
| Career | 56 | 27 | 586 | 2,749 | 4.7 | 25 | 37 | 253 | 6.8 | 1 | |
Coaching career
On March 8, 2025, Ellison announced his retirement from playing football, and joined his alma mater, Indiana, as a quality control coach on Curt Cignetti's staff.[8] During the 2025 season, the Hoosiers went 16-0 and won the Big Ten title and the 2026 CFP National Championship. Ellison now serves as an assistant running backs coach for the Hoosiers.
References
- Zembal, Jacey. "Wake Forest RB Justice Ellison set to transfer". Rivals.com. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- "Justice Ellison 2021 Game Logs". Sports Reference. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- Tow, Seth (11 December 2023). "IU lands RB Justice Ellison out of transfer portal". The Daily Hoosier. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- Glenesk, Matthew (10 December 2023). "Wake Forest RB Justice Ellison commits to IU football out of transfer portal". IndyStar. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- Niziolek, Michael (30 July 2024). "Indiana football RB Justice Ellison is 'embracing every single moment' in his new home". The Herald-Times. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- Osterman, Zach (1 November 2024). "When IU's high-flying offense stalled, it turned to player they call 'Juice' — and got some". IndyStar. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- Garrett, Jhett. "COLUMN: Justice Ellison's leadership powers Indiana football to resilient win over Washington". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
- Truax, Barkley (2025-03-08). "Justice Ellison reportedly makes major change in playing career". On3. Retrieved 2025-03-08.