Purdue running back Devin Mockobee bet on himself and is about to cash out.
The saying, “X player is betting on himself” gets used in sports quite often. Indiana native Devin Mockobee did that exact thing three years ago and is about to cash that ticket. Mockobee walked away from a full scholarship at Navy two weeks before signing after receiving a call that would change his whole world. Purdue had offered him a walk-on opportunity to play for his dream school and Mockobee said ‘say less!’
Devin Mockobee grew up in the small town of Bonneville, IN (pop. 6,671) wanting to be a Purdue Boilermaker having lived less than four hours from Ross-Ade Stadium. A chance to chase that dream was a no brainer.
Mockobee didn’t receive any P5 offers due to limited exposure caused by Covid-19, but put up eye popping numbers in just eight games of his Senior season in high school. Averaging 225+ yards per game and 9.6 yards per carry, Mockobee was able to tally 1,820 yds and 24 TDs. No P5 offers with numbers like that in a shortened season is damn shame! He was leading the country in touchdowns scored before Covid decided to give its best Dikembe Mutombo impression and shut things down.
Walking On and Walking Tall
Entering his Freshman season at Purdue, Mockobee was geared up and ready to rip. Unfortunately, he didn’t see any playing time behind a high passing offense (Aidan O’Connell with 3,900 passing yards) and a deep backfield (King Doerue, Alexander Horvarth, Dylan Dowling, and Ja’Quez Cross). Aidan O’Connell and the Boilermakers averaged over 355 yards per game. They were ranked 62nd in the country in points scored per game (29.1). This only fueled the fire in Mockobee’s belly.
In 2022, Devin Mockobee was salivating at the mouth for an opportunity to seize the RB1 slot in the Boilermakers backfield. He would score in back-to-back weeks to start the season. In Week 5 in Minneapolis, Devin got his opportunity as the RB1.
Mockobee ripped off a 60-yard run bursting out of the line like Eleanor in Gone In 60 Seconds. This would ignite a run of four 100-yard rushing performances over the next six games. This locked him in the RB1 role with seven starts in the next eight games, including a 17 attempt, 71 yards and a TD against Michigan in the B1G Championship game.
Week 5 underrated play: @devin_mockobee seals Purdue's top-25 road win. pic.twitter.com/8gsOOyXVbZ
— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) October 4, 2022
After breaking Purdue’s Freshman rushing yards and attempts records and solidifying himself as a true three-down back as a walk-on, Mockobee’s future became in question and full of uncertainty as HC Jeff Brohm left Purdue to become the HC at Louisville. But those questions and uncertainty were answered quickly. Newly hired HC Ryan Walters offered Mockobee a full scholarship as priority number one. Now the local boy has written another chapter in his journey of betting on himself!
Unfortunately the 2023 season would be a season of change and adjustment for the Boilermakers. WR Tyrone Tracy Jr filled that Rondale Moore role, QB Aidan O’Connell moved on to the NFL and Hudson Card took over at QB. Defensive minded head coach Ryan Walters was also getting acclimated to the HC position, and it led to a 3-6 overall record. It also led to a lot of stacked boxes for Mockobee, who fell below 5 YPC from the previous season. Mockobee saw his TDs decrease from 9 to 6 as red zone opportunities declined – and he had a fumbling issue early on (8). But that shouldn’t worry anyone. Mockobee is used to changing and transforming – as he added over 50 pounds to his frame in his Senior season of high school, so adjusting this offseason is light work.
Ready to Rebound
As spring practices begin for the 2024 season, Devin Mockobee will be in the driver’s seat as the RB1 for the Boilermakers. Illinois transfer Reggie Love III will be his immediate competition, but more of a depth piece to go along with the three Freshman RBs. Purdue is also returning 60% of their offensive line and QB Hudson Card has a full season under his belt. These are all things that should lead to a positive start for Mockobee entering the 2024 season.
Mockobee’s shifty, run you over type of play (38 missed tackles forced) will be relied on early as the Boilermakers have a tough start to the season. Purdue will face Notre Dame, Oregon State, Wisconsin, & Nebraska from Week 3-6. Expect Mockobee to get plenty of work as Purdue lost most of its playmakers on the outside. Deion Burks, TJ Sheffield, & Abdur-Rahimaan Yaseen all hit the transfer portal. An inexperienced WR group and a schedule of tough defenses line up as a big opportunity for Mockobee.
‘Crazy Legs’, as he has been nicknamed, is also a weapon out of backfield in the passing game with 51 receptions and 451 yds over the past two seasons. A threat in the backfield and a safety blanket for a QB with minimal receiving weapons sounds like a recipe for instant success. 2024 is looking like a heavy dosage of Devin Mockobee right out the gate and a primed rebound season for him to raise his draft stock. Just like Mockobee’s love of muscle cars, he is fueled with 93 octane for this upcoming season. So get ready to #BoilerUp.
