David Woods

david.woods@indystar.com

Jordan Howard needs a new school. Indiana University perhaps needs a replacement for Tevin Coleman.

This is a college football marriage that could make sense.

Howard, who was eighth in the nation with 1,587 rushing yards for UAB, has scheduled a weekend visit to Indiana University. The recruiting development was first reported by 247 Sports.

Also headed for an IU visit is wide receiver Marqui Hawkins.

UAB announced Tuesday that it was dropping its Conference USA football program. The Blazers (6-6) qualified for a bowl game, something Indiana hasn't done since 2007. UAB players may transfer elsewhere with immediate eligibility.

Howard, 20, of Gardendale, Ala., 6-1 and 228, has two more seasons. Out of high school, he was recruited by Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State.

He finished his sophomore season Saturday by rushing for a school-record 262 yards in a 45-24 victory at Southern Mississippi. He was the No. 2 freshman rusher in the nation with 881 yards last year.

Coleman, a junior, is coming off a historic 2,036-yard season that left him second in the nation behind Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon. Coleman hasn't announced whether he woul return to Indiana but is widely expected to declare for the NFL draft.

Hawkins, 6-2 and 205, redshirted last year at Florida and sat out this year at UAB after transferring. He is from Columbus, Ga., the same hometown as Indiana cornerback Tim Bennett.

There will be a frenzy around UAB as other programs try to lure its abandoned players. The Hoosiers have 10 commitments and aim for 25 in the 2015 recruiting class, so they are in position to take several UAB players if interest is mutual.

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Hoosier hits:

-- Senior Mark Murphy was chosen for the second time to the Capital One Academic All-America team.

The Hoosiers' only other two-time Academic All-Americans were Will Meyers (2005-06) and John Hammerstein (1994-95). Murphy is one of 17 National Football Foundation national scholar-athletes and a finalist for the Campbell Trophy as the nation's top scholar-athlete in football.

-- Linebacker Tegray Scales was selected to the Big Ten Network all-freshman team. He had 46 tackles and three interceptions.

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Call Star reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter at @DavidWoods007.