Purdue football running back breakdown: A look at the depth behind Devin Mockobee

Lafayette Journal & Courier WEST LAFAYETTE − Purdue football stumbled into its best running back last season. Injuries and attrition led Boilermaker fans to the introduction of the Mock Train, a nickname given to Devin Mockobee during his standout high school career at Boonville. The walk-on was so impressive, Purdue football coach Ryan Walters' first official order of business after his hire was to put the redshirt sophomore on scholarship.

After 968 yards rushing with nine touchdowns along with 32 receptions in 2022, Mockobee will be on opponent's radars this season. Fortunately, the Boilers have built some depth at the position. Tyrone Tracy moves into backfield In high school Tyrone Tracy was a star in the backfield for Decatur Central, but once he arrived to play for the Iowa Hawkeyes, he became a receiver.

Tracy remained a part of the receiving corps when he transferred to Purdue last season, but from a personal statistical standpoint, he produced a disappointing combined 336 rushing and receiving yards and zero touchdowns. More:Purdue football inside linebacker breakdown: O. C.

Brothers becomes defensive leader More:Purdue football quarterback breakdown: Who is behind Hudson Card? He's now part of what is expected to be a three-player rotation in the backfield. "I love this coaching staff," Tracy said. "They've had conversations with me basically saying I am going to be used in multiple different ways.

I am just excited to see what's going to happen this year. " Slimmed Downing Last year, Dylan Downing battled a foot injury and averaged just 3. 8 yards on 93 carries.

Now Downing has a new look, all the way down to a number change from 38 to 22. The senior shed fat and put on muscle and provides a different dynamic in the backfield from the shiftier and more explosive Mockobee and Tracy. "Get north and south, make them tackle me and when they get there, deal with them however I please," Downing said to his running style.

Devin Mockobee's improbable rise One year ago, Mockobee was an afterthought, a fourth-string walk-on freshman who was never supposed to see significant playing time. Mockobee is now viewed as one of the top running backs in the Big Ten and has become a favorite among fans. "In the grand scheme of things, that's what I hoped would happen, but there's still work to do," Mockobee said.

"I'm no great superstar by any means. " More backfield firepower Two names fans might not know, but very well could at some point: Mondrell Dean and Christian Womack. Dean, a freshman from Charleston, West Virginia, was recruited by running backs coach Lamar Conard with no specific position in mind.

Ultimately, he landed in the running backs room. Last season at Tomball High School in Texas, Womack rushed for 2,111 yards and 26 touchdowns. He's a potential "home run guy" according to Conard.

.

Sam King
·
Filed 08.09.2023

Latest Player Notes

How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day

Mar 15, 2024 Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ...

Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day

Mar 15, 2024 Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ...

How can UW recruit its best class ever? It starts with these five prospects

By Andy Yamashita Seattle Times staff reporter Jedd Fisch has lofty recruiting goals at Washington. He didn’t waste any ...

Texas football kicks off spring practice Tuesday. We answer 24 questions for the 2024 team

Things certainly look fresh for the 2024 college football season, especially on the Texas campus.There’s a new conference ...

College Football Playoff: Conferences solve their differences (for now) and agree on general framework for 2026 and beyond

The FBS conferences and Notre Dame agreed on Friday to continue the College Football Playoff beyond the 2025 season, signing ...

Ball security, leadership key as Aztecs look to identify starting quarterback

San Diego State seemingly auditions a new starting quarterback on an annual basis.In the past 12 years, the Aztecs have opened ...

Results and more: A look at what happened at Penn State football’s Pro Day inside Holuba Hall

Most of those at Penn State’s Pro Day Friday were relatively quiet throughout the afternoon’s workouts, but there was one ...

Defense dominates first two weeks of Oregon State spring practice as Beavers ready for 2-week breather

CORVALLIS – Oregon State hit the break of spring practices Saturday, not exactly the midpoint but a good place to assess ...

Dillon Gabriel to have similar input, autonomy as Bo Nix had in Oregon’s offense

Published Mar. 16, 2024, 6:26 p.m.By James CrepeaEUGENE — Dillon Gabriel will have much of the same autonomy as Bo Nix did ...

Two transfers, one underclassman who impressed in Missouri football's spring game

With that, spring camp’s a wrap.Missouri football held its Black & Gold spring game Saturday in front of a healthy crowd ...
See More Player Notes