With fall camp underway for the Purdue football team, one returning player on the offensive side of the football is more than ready.
Running back Devin Mockobee enters the 2024 campaign looking to not only shoulder the load for the Boilermakers, but find the end zone and do whatever it takes to help Purdue football become bowl eligible.
When asked about his goals after a recent practice, Mockobee turned the attention to Purdue football’s goals.
“I think it’s more about becoming a bigger role for the program from a leadership standpoint and really bring the guys together and becoming one single unit. My only goal is to win,” Mockobee said.
A season ago, Mockobee rushed for 807 yards and six touchdowns. Down the stretch was when he showed his worth, as Mockobee accounted for 373 total yards and three touchdowns. If there was a negative, it was the fact Mockobee turned it over seven times.
During the offseason, Mockobee worked on his strength and the results are evident as he entered fall camp much bigger than a season ago.
“Since last season, I was playing around at 190-195. I just weighed in at 207 today. Definitely put that weight on,” he said after the first practice of the fall.
Mockobee said being a running back at 190-195 in the Big Ten didn’t help matters any.
“Getting some weight on with my speed behind me was very beneficial for me, so I am in a really good spot right now. This offseason my main thing was my weight. I wanted to keep my speed and agility with it,” Mockobee said.
Purdue football features crowded running back room
Mockobee is the leader of the Purdue football running back room, but he’s not the only playmaker the Boilermakers can count on this season from the room.
Purdue gained the addition of Reggie Love III from Illinois. Love comes to West Lafayette after four seasons with the Illini. Last year, he rushed for 567 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
“I think Reggie is a really good, hard nosed, shifty guy. I think he’s going to be really good for us sharing some snaps and getting the ball downhill for a 1-2 attack. I think you’ll see glimpses of what you saw last year,” Mockobee said.
With Mockobee and Love in the mix, Purdue football will look for a 1,000 yard rusher this season, something Mockobee admits would be “special.”
“To get back to a 1,000 yard rusher would be special. I’ve never been one to chase accolades because the main thing is the main thing, but it definitely would be cool. It would be a good thing for the whole program,” Mockobee said.
With Mockobee and Love in the fold, Purdue football coach Ryan Walters still wants more.
I hope we can find a third. I think, especially in this conference, you need three to get you through the season at a high level,” Walters said after practice this week.
The Boilermakers open the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at Ross-Ade Stadium when Indiana State visits.
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